Khuda
Bakhsh Library emerged out of a collection of Maulvi Mohammad
Bakhsh, who hailed from Chapra, a district of Bihar. He was
a man of letters and law and had a great passion for books.
He collected 1400 manuscripts including some rare books. When
he was on his death-bed in 1876 he entrusted the whole lot to
his son and wished him to open a library for the public whenever
he should find himself in a position to do so. Khuda Bakhsh
inherited from his father love for books and dedication to public
service.
He made it a mission of life to found a public library so as
to fulfil his father's dream. He made all possible efforts to
acquire rare books and manuscripts. He also borrowed services
of a book-hunter to collect manuscripts from the learning centres
in the Arab world. He devoted himself for this noble cause.
With the acquisition of books he laid foundation of a two-storeyed
building for the library. It was ready in 1888 at the cost of
Rs.80,000 and the books were shifted to this newly-constructed
beautiful building. To fulfil the long-cherished desire of his
father, Khuda Bakhsh opened it for the people of Patna on 29th
October, 1891 with 4000 rare manuscripts in Arabic and Persian,
apart from the printed books in Arabic, Persian and English.
The library was donated to the public and the Government of
Bengal was made its trustee. It was modestly named as Oriental
Public Library according to the Trust Deed. The people, however,
prefixed his name in view of his great service to the public.
Since then it is officially known as Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public
Library. But popularly it is called Khuda Bakhsh Library.
Born in Chapra on 2nd August 1842, Khuda Bakhsh was brought
up under the guidance of his father to dedicate his life for
the betterment of humanity. Educated at Patna and Calcutta he
started his professional career as Peshkar. In 1880 he was appointed
the Government Pleader of Patna and in 1881 the title of Khan
Bahadur was conferred upon him for social service. He was elevated
to the post of Chief Justice of Nizam's Court Hyderabad for a period
of three years in 1895. He was also honoured with another title
of CIE in 1903. In spite of having all these titles and honours
he was a very simple man with determination and vision. The
library was his life-long achievement for which he was committed
and devoted. He spent whatever he earned on its growth and as
a result he was penniless. He had to borrow money for his medical
treatment. The Government of Bengal made him a generous grant
of Rs. 8,000 to liquidate his debts. He died on 3rd August 1908
and was buried in the premises of the Library.
The 26th December 1969 was a very significant turning point
in the annals of the library when it was raised to the status
of an Institution of National Importance by an Act of Parliament.
Being an autonomous body it has been working since then under
the control of the Government of India, Department of Culture,
Ministry of Tourism and Culture. It played an important role
in accelerating the overall development of the library.
