Former Officer on Special Duty Dr. Waqarul Hasan Siddiqi who took over as Officer on Special Duty of Rampur Raza Library on 16th August 1993, was a distinguished archaeologist, art historian, epigraphist and numismatist of India. Retired from the post of Director, Expedition Abroad, Archaeological Survey of India. He had explored and excavated scores of historical sites including Kalibangan, Purana Qila, Dak Pathar, Rishikesh, Champaner, Karwan, Fatehpur Sikri etc. Besides he was responsible for the scientific conservation of dozens of National Monuments including the famous Angkorwat temple in Cambodia which project he monitored for six years. He participated in many International symposia in more than fifteen countries and was elected Vice-President of Silk Route Project of UNESCO at Alma-Ata in Kazakhistan in 1985.
His long tenure as Officer on Special Duty in Rampur Raza Library has recognized this unique repository of rare manuscripts, paintings and art objects. The Library has now attained an International status of higher studies. He has a long list of more than 100 book and journals published. He has been amply rewarded prestigious awards fir his excellent achievements and unparalleled service during this period. His tenure was over on 19th May 2009 and His Excellency appointed Prof Shah Abdus Salam his place. Pof. Shah Abdus Salam took over the charge of Officer On Special Duty on 20th May 2009. Dr. W.H. Siddiqi unfortunately suffered brain stroke and passed away on 19th June 2009 in Lucknow.
Prof. Shah Abdus Salam a UNESCO Awardee and President of India`s Awardee took over the charge of Rampur Raza Library as Officer on Special Duty (O.S.D) on 20 May 2009. He is a distinguished scholar in the field of Arabic Language, Literature, Persian language and literature and Arab Culture and civilization etc. He got his B.A, M.A, and PhD. Degree from Lucknow University and served as Lecturer, Reader and Professor in department of Arabic in Lucknow University and also served as the Chairman of Arabic Department Lucknow University – till he retired in 2008. He also served as a lecturer in the University of Minnesota U.S.A for five years and taught several U.G. and P.G. courses of comparative languages, Religion, and Islamic, where he audited various courses of linguistic. He has published 25 books and 30 research papers in different languages, the papers were published in reputed journals besides he participated in 18 national and international Seminar in India and abroad. He also supervised 12 research scholars who completed their PhD. under his supervision..

He received many National and International awards i.e. Sharjah Arab Culture Award 2007 from UNESCO at Paris in 2007, Imtiyaz Mir and Nawa-e-Mir award from All India Mir Academy Lucknow, in 1993 and 1997 respectively, besides Urdu Academic award from Urdu Academy, Lucknow in 1976 and 1980. Recently he has been awarded with President of India’s Award for his over all contribution to academic achievement with special reference to Arabic Language and literature. He has been nominated as member in different Academies and Institutions, i.e. he was nominated member in Academic Council B.H.U Varanasi in 2000-2001, was nominated member in board of studies A.M.U. Aligarh in 2001-2003 and he served as member of executive council Lucknow University, Lucknow in 1996-97, he was vice chairman of Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy Lucknow in 1991-92 and co-opt member in executive committee Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad Memorial committee Govt. of India in 1987-88, he was also president Urdu Persian Society Lucknow University, Lucknow in 1967-68. At present he is member board in Amiruddaula Public Library, Lucknow since 1999, senior member managing committee Anjuman Islahul Muslimeen, Lucknow since 1985, and is life membership in Red Cross Society since 1995. He also visited many countries like U.S.A, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and France for his academic purposes