Home / Arts and Entertainment / Raza Library Digitzes Rare Manuscripts
Raza Library Digitzes Rare Manuscripts
6 Jul
Summary
- Raza Library is digitizing its 16,000 rare manuscripts.
- The project aims to preserve fragile documents and aid global research.
- A dedicated website will offer digital access to the collection.
Rampur's renowned Raza Library, founded in 1774, is actively digitizing its extensive collection of 16,000 rare manuscripts. This initiative aims to preserve centuries-old documents and enhance global accessibility for researchers. To date, around 11,000 manuscripts have been successfully converted into digital format, a significant step towards safeguarding this rich Indo-Islamic literary heritage.
The digitization project, supported by the Union culture ministry, will culminate in a dedicated website. This platform will enable international scholars to study manuscripts remotely, minimizing the need for physical visits to Rampur. The library also plans to renovate its historic buildings, Rang Mahal and Hamid Manzil, into a state-of-the-art museum, further conserving its heritage and modernizing access.
Considered a vital repository of manuscripts, miniature paintings, and historical documents, the Raza Library holds works in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Hindi, and Urdu. Its collection features unique items like a Quran attributed to Hazrat Ali and a Persian version of the Ramayana. The library currently attracts approximately 350 scholars annually, including over 29 foreign researchers, a number expected to grow with digital access.
