Top 10 largest libraries in India

            The library was originally founded as the Imperial Library in 1903, marking the beginning of its history. As time passed, it transformed into the National Library with the continued purpose of safeguarding India's literary legacy.

Largest Library in India: 

            The National Library in Kolkata, West Bengal, is a storehouse of information with an impressive collection of more than 2.2 million books. Its extensive collection spans across a diverse range of topics, including history, literature, science, and art. The National Library is a haven for scholars, researchers, and book lovers due to its vast collection of rare manuscripts and historical documents.

Also, check the National Library of India with a full Description.

The top 10 largest libraries in India

 

1. National Library - Kolkata, West Bengal; Speciality:-General knowledge and history

2. Anna Centenary Library - Chennai, Tamil Nadu; Speciality:-Academic and digital resources. This library is the second biggest in India in terms of size, consisting of nine floors that cater to various groups including children, adults, scholars, researchers, and visually impaired readers. The library opened its doors in 2010 and currently houses 500,000 books in its collection. It also includes a theatre, a meeting space, an outdoor theatre, and a cafe.

3. Raza Library - Rampur, Uttar Pradesh; Speciality:-Arabic, Persian, and Urdu manuscripts

4. Delhi Public Library - Delhi, Delhi; Speciality:-General knowledge and culture. The Government of India initiated this library in 1951 as a UNESCO project. It is the most crowded public library in South Asia, with more than 1.8 million books available in languages such as Hindi, English, Urdu, Punjabi, and other Indian languages. The library also includes a Braille section, and a children's section, and offers a mobile library service.

5. Saraswathi Mahal Library - Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu; Speciality:-Tamil literature and heritage. This library was established in the 16th century as a royal library for the Nayak Kings of Thanjore. It houses a unique assortment of palm-leaf manuscripts in various languages such as Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Marathi, and others. Additionally, the collection includes paintings, maps, coins, and musical instruments from various historical eras.

6. Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library - Patna, Bihar; Speciality:-Persian and Arabic manuscripts

7. Salar Jung Museum Library - Hyderabad, Telangana; Speciality:-Art, history, and cultural heritage

8. Asiatic Society Library - Mumbai, Maharashtra; Speciality:-History, archaeology, and Indology

9. Connemara Public Library - Chennai, Tamil Nadu; Speciality:-General knowledge and local history

10. State Central Library - Bangalore, Karnataka; Speciality:-Kannada literature and culture. It is also known as Sheshadri Iyer Memorial Hall (STATE CENTRAL LIBRARY). Established in 1915 to pay tribute to Sir K. Seshadri Iyer, the Dewan of Mysore, this library is among the oldest in India. The building is made of red brick and is surrounded by a rose garden and a fountain at the front. It contains more than 265,000 books in English, Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and other languages.

Other libraries which have their own history in India

1. State Central Library, Hyderabad: In 1891, Nawab Imad-ul-Mulk established this library, which is also called the Asafia Library. There are more than 500,000 books in the library, written in Urdu, English, Telugu, Persian, and various other languages. It is easily recognizable by its unique white front with arched windows and domes.

2. Smt. Hansa Mehta Library, Baroda: This library, which was founded in 1950, is affiliated with Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. There are more than 800,000 books, journals, dissertations, reports, and other documents in its collection. The library also houses a unique assortment of old books, including hand-written documents from as far back as the 1500s.

3. Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi: The library can be found in the Teen Murti House, which used to be the home of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Established in 1964, the library houses more than 200,000 books on contemporary Indian history, politics, economics, and culture. It also contains personal documents belonging to well-known figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu, Jayaprakash Narayan, and others.

4. Indian Habitat Centre Library: This library is situated within the Indian Habitat Centre, a prominent cultural hub in Delhi. Founded in 1993, the collection includes more than 40,000 books covering topics such as architecture, urban planning, environment, art, and design. WiFi is available, as well as coffee shops and ample seating areas for readers.

5. State Central Library, Thiruvananthapuram: Established in 1829 by Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, the King of Travancore, this is the oldest library in India. It contains more than 300,000 books in Malayalam, English, Hindi, Sanskrit, and other languages. It also contains digital copies of books dating back to the 18th century.

References:

1. Quora: https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-ten-biggest-libraries-of-India