Rampur’s Raza Library digitising 16,000 rare manuscripts

Bareilly: Rampur’s Raza Library, established in 1774 and known for its rare manuscripts and Indo-Islamic literary collections, is digitising all 16,000 manuscripts in its possession to make them accessible to researchers across the world, with around 11,000 manuscripts already converted into digital format, officials said.Library director Dr Pushkar Misra told TOI that the digitisation project was taken up to preserve centuries-old manuscripts and reduce the need for physical handling of fragile documents. He said that once the work is completed, a dedicated website will be prepared on the recommendation of the Union culture ministry, where digital versions of the manuscripts will be preserved for research access.“This will allow researchers based abroad to study manuscripts of their choice with a single click and complete their research work without visiting Rampur in person,” Misra said, adding that the project would also help protect original manuscripts from damage caused by repeated handling.Founded by Nawab Faizulla Khan, the first ruler of Rampur princely state, Raza Library is considered one of India’s important repositories of manuscripts, miniature paintings, historical documents and rare books. Its collection includes works in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Hindi and Urdu, making it a major centre for scholars studying history, religion, literature, philosophy, art and culture.Among its prized possessions is a Quran handwritten on camel parchment and attributed to Hazrat Ali, of which officials said only two copies are known to exist, one preserved in Rampur and the other in Iraq.

The library also holds a Persian-language version of Valmiki Ramayana, a historical account of Mongolia and several other rare works that draw researchers from India and abroad.Officials said around 350 scholars visit the library every year to consult manuscripts and printed works, including more than 29 foreign researchers. The digitisation project is expected to expand that reach by allowing scholars to examine rare texts remotely, especially those who cannot travel to Rampur for long research periods.Misra said the library’s historic Rang Mahal and Hamid Manzil buildings would also be renovated and developed into a state-of-the-art museum. Officials said the museum plan and digitisation work were part of a larger effort to conserve the library’s heritage while using modern tools to widen access.Raza Library currently preserves over 16,000 manuscripts and more than 67,000 printed books. Officials said the digitised archive would help protect fragile originals, support global research and strengthen Rampur’s place on the international map of manuscript studies.