A GENERAL REVIEW

I feel great pleasure in presenting the 30 th Annual report on the functioning of the Rampur Raza Library for the period 1st April 2004 to 31 st March 2005 .

                Under the valuable guidance of the Chairman and members of the Rampur Raza Library Board and with the sincere and devoted services of the staff of the library, the library has made great strides in the field of promotion of higher intellectual and cultural activities and due to its invaluable, rare treasure of thousands of manuscripts, Indo-Persian and Indo-Central Asian miniature paintings, Calligraphic specimens of world- renowned Indo-Islamic calligraphers, historical documents, printed books, journals and other art objects. And now the library has attained the status of an institution of International importance.

Through substantial financial grants, the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India has greatly facilitated the functioning, maintenance, preservation and publication and also the security of the priceless collection through C.I.S.F.

The Library collection is enriched through purchase, exchange and gift. During the period from 1 st April 2004 to March 2005 the library acquired 1181 books, 1807 periodicals and 7970 newspapers and accessioned them properly. The library acquires such books and periodicals which meet the demands of the research scholars.

During the period more than 1181 books were classified and 1,770 card catalogues were prepared arranged and shelved in different languages. The books were first entered in the catalogue register then catalogue cards were prepared of these books. The cards were also arranged and filled in the cabinets. The work of labeling and dusting of books are done continuously. About 22000 books were cleaned on the shelves besides 1500 new labels were replaced on the books. The library also keeps card catalogue up to date and nearly 9000 cards were checked during this period.

The library has a binding section in which old and damaged bindings are repaired or replaced and newly purchased books and journals are bound. During the period 1725 books received new binding and repairs besides registers, note books, photo albums were also bound. 1125 newspaper cuttings of important information related to the library were also collected.

The rare and antique manuscripts and art objects have to be documented with detail as per Antiquity Art Treasure Act 1972 The documentation work of the library holdings have been carried out speedily and is nearing completion. Moreover the repeated handling and exposure of old and fine manuscripts, particularly delicate paintings cause an irreparable damage to them. Such items of manuscripts and paintings have been transferred to colour photo documentation. The scholars usually need such photographs and slides to be used in their researchers. 3248 coloured photographs, 36 Audio, 1 Video and 378 slides have been prepared this year for their convenience. These coloured photographs and their negatives have been given a systematic arrangement in separate albums for easy and quick reference.

Rampur Raza Library has made remarkable progress in its objectives towards automating the library and Digitizing its collection of rare books and manuscripts. Also, it’s during this year only that the Library has seen the unbound progression towards a High Tech Library.

The library has implemented its own LAN (Local Area Network) to interlink the computers present in different sections of the Library to unite the total potential of the computers and therefore to increase the working efficiency of the Library. This also has minimized the use of external storage media in the library and therefore there is minimum risk of data-loss in case of breaking down of any computer. During this period, around 48620 Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, English and Persian books have been computerized using the software “CollecSys” which is the best known Oriental Cataloging software in this field.

During the period digitization and preparing CD’s of rare paintings, specimens of Islamic calligraphy, precious illustrated manuscripts, art objects and coins has been made. About 42000 images from 40 albums of paintings, 85 albums of Islamic calligraphy and 195 illustrated and non illustrated manuscripts so for were scanned with detailed information. Besides CD’s of these images have also been prepared. The work is done to avoid repeated handling and exposure of old fragile manuscripts and paintings.

The library extends all services to its users. During the period 72 research scholars consulted 481 manuscripts, 1927 readers were issued 3974 printed books and 25009 general readers visited the reading room for newspapers and magazines besides large number of persons visited library Museum in Darbar Hall.

The library also provides photographs of manuscripts and Xerox copies of printed books to the scholars on payment basis. 57756 Xerox copies of printed books and 291 photographs of manuscripts were supplied to the scholars during the period. moreover 1756 publications of the library were either sold or gifted to the scholars.

The conservation laboratory has been attending to the damaged manuscripts, old books, mughal miniature paintings, historical documents, old photographs and other art objects. The laboratory treated 214 objects including 4972 pages of manuscripts.

The ornamental false ceilings of the Conservation laboratory and its annexe, Directors room, Urdu and Persian Rooms have been restored as per archaeological norms of conservation. The restoration of the pillars and ornamental false ceilings of the Darbar hall and Arabic Room is in progress. 75% work has been completed according to archaeological norms of conservation.

Rampur Raza Library has a separate unit that publishes the rare manuscripts on Indian culture in different languages including Hindi, Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Islamic literature, medieval Indian history, and oriental studies etc. The library has published more than 60 books within eleven years. During the period the library has published following books

Organized a Sheri Nashist on 21 st June 2004 in the Rang Mahal Hall in which eminent Urdu poets and poetesses participated.

Organized a Narcotic Prevention Day on 28 th June 2004 in the reading Hall of Hamid Manzil.

Visit of Nawab Mohd. Ali Khan alias Murad Mian, Member Rampur Raza Library Board with his sister on 2 nd August 2004. He appreciated the works of the library.

The 57 th anniversary of India’s Independence was celebrated on 15 th August 2004. All the members of staff were on their feet from the early morning to give a befitting look to the library. Dr. W.H.Siddiqi, O.S.D. unfolded the National Flag on the main gate of the Hamid Manzil. He saluted the National flag amidst the chanting of National Anthem while a section of C.I.S.F. uniformed jawans stood silent with their saluting arms.

In the evening premises and the twin buildings of the library were decorated and illuminated with coloured lights.

The Library celebrated the Hindi Pakhwara from 14 th to 28 th September 2004 to create the atmosphere of working in Hindi in government offices. A meeting was organized under the chairmanship of Dr.W.H.Siddiqi for dealing the programmes which would be organized during the Pakhwara. Following programmes were organized during the week.

• Departmental Hindi essay competition on 23 rd September 2004 at Meeting Hall Rang Mahal.
• Departmental Hindi Bhashan competition on 23 rd September 2004 at Meeting Hall Rang Mahal.
• Departmental Hindi Typing competition on 23 rd September 2004 at Meeting Hall Rang Mahal.
• Closing ceremony and prize distribution on 28 th September 2004 at Rang Mahal Hall, by Shri Daljeet Singh D.I.G.CRPF, Rampur chief guest and in presence of guest of honour Shri Lal Chand Hon. Additional District Judge Rampur and Shri Madhur Shyam Income Tax officer, Rampur.
• All India Kavi Sammelan, on 28 th September 2004 at Rang Mahal Hall, which was represented by 25 eminent Hindi poets and poetesses if India.Larged gathering of distinguished audience enjoied the recitations.
• Organized a Sheri Nashist on 7 th October 2004 in the Rang Mahal Hall in honour of the Professor Syed Fazl-i-Imam Rizvi, former Chairman of Department of Urdu, Allahabad University, which was attended by the eminent poets of Rampur.
• Organized a condolence meeting of most eminent poet Shri Mohammad Ali Mauj, Director of All India Radio, Rampur and large number of scholars and distinguished persons of Rampur assembled to mourn the sad demise on 1 st November 2004.
• The library organized a conference on National Vigilance Awareness Week from 7 th November 2004 in the reading Hall of Hamid Manzil. All staff of the library and notable persons of Rampur and correspondents of Hindi and Urdu daily news papers participated in the conference.
• Organized a condolence of most eminent national Professor and Scholar Professor Nisar Ahmad Faruqui, former Chairman of Department of Arabic, Delhi University, Delhi, Former Member of Rampur Raza Library Board and presently expert member of the of the Subcommittees and Editorial Board of Rampur Raza Library large number of scholars, distinguished persons of Rampur and Rampur Raza Library staff assembled to mourn the demise on 5th December 2004.
• The Library organized All India Mushaira on the occasion of Republic Day in the Rang Mahal Hall on 26 th January 2005 in which 28 eminent Urdu poets and poetesses participated. A large distinguished audience enjoyed the recitations throught the night.
• The Library participated in the Kanpur National Book Fair from 5 th August 2004 to 15 th August 2004, Ahmedabad National Book Fair from 1 st October 2004 to 10 th October 2004, participated in the 6 th Kul- Hind- Urdu Book Fair organized by National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language, Ministry of HRD at Hyderabad from 4 th to 12 th December 2004, Orai Book Fair 18 th to 23 rd December 2004 and also participated in Indian History Congress Seminar from 28 th to 30 th December 2004 in the Rohilkhand University, Bareilly. The library publications were very much appreciated by the visitors and books were also sold. The library hosted a dinner to the delegates of the History Congress on 30 th December, 2004.
• The Library participated in the Book Fair from 27 th February 2005 to 6 th March 2005 , Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi , organized by National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language, Ministry of Human Resource and Development.
• Organized a Sheri Nashist on 23 rd March 2004 in the Rang Mahal Hall in honour of Shri Zakir Ali Khan of Pakistan which was attended by the eminent poets and scholars of Rampur.
• The library organized two-day national seminar on “The Importance of Conservation and Restoration of Heritage Building its Technique and Materials” from 27 th to 28 th March 2005 in which 22 eminent Historians and Archaeologist participated, and presented paper said topic.

Cataloguing of specimens of calligraphy of the library collection is in progress. During the period 19 calligraphic specimens albums were descriptive catalogued with details totaling 975 specimens of this handiwork have been listed and indexed.

Translation of Persian Ramayan in Hindi language by Dr. W.H.Siddiqi and Prof. Shah Abdus Salam are in progress.

It is difficult to acknowledge appropriately the guidance I received from His Excellency, the Governor of Uttar Pradesh and Chairman of the Rampur Raza Library Board, the Members of the Board without whose assistance I would not have succeeded in carrying on the functions of such an important institution.

Lastly I am thankful to the Hon'ble Minister, and Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India who were kind to sanction sufficient financial grants under Plan and Non-Plan schemes without which no achievement would have been possible.

 Dr. W.H. Siddiqi

Officer on Special Duty,
Rampur Raza Library, Rampur