Cosmetic Makeover + Digitization In Store For Delhi's Oldest Library In Chandni Chowk

Delhi’s oldest library, Hardayal Municipal Public Library, established in 1863, near Chandni Chowk has finally got the approval to be revamped! The Indian National Trust for Art and Culture Heritage (INTACH) has been handed this project to restore the library.

There’s going to be a cosmetic makeover along with an effort to preserve rare books plus their digitisation. The library possesses a rare historical collection of approximately 8,000 books that include Travaile Begvenne’s ‘Relation of Some Years’ printed in 1634, a handwritten Quran by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, and the Persian translation of Mahabharata by Abul Raizi. 

In its current situation, the plaster is peeling off, the roofs and walls have developed cracks, seepages and leakages, and the state of the library is as bad as it can get! A total of Rs 3 crores is being shelled out for the revamp by DDA, out of which Rs 50 lakhs will be used for the preservation of books and the same amount for digitisation! 

Book lovers, we bet you can’t wait to go spend your day at this (new and improved) library!

Sourced via Hindustan Times