Journey Through Time: Muhammadan Public Library of Tiruvallikeni

By -

Nestled within the bustling streets of Tiruvallikeni (Triplicane), amidst the ordinary facade of a nondescript building adorned with dull-colored paint, lies a hidden gem with a rich history—the Muhammadan Public Library.

Established by the esteemed Nawab Ghulam Mohammed Ghouse Khan Bahadur, the last Nawab of the Carnatic, this unassuming building housed a thriving hub of knowledge and literature. Nawab Ghulam Mohammed, known for his patronage of arts, envisioned a space that would promote the languages of Urdu, Persian, Arabic, and English, alongside subjects ranging from science to history and mathematics.



In 1850, under the Nawab's patronage, the Muhammadan Public Library embarked on a mission to bring modern education to the masses of the Carnatic region. During this period, the British wielded considerable influence, although the Nawab retained some autonomy within the bounds of their agreement.

A pivotal figure in the library's establishment was Lord Edward Balfour, the British agent with a close association to the Nawab. Lord Balfour, recognizing the importance of education for all, especially the Muslim community, supported the Nawab's vision for widespread literacy and learning.

Originally known as the 'Kutub Khana-e- Am Mufeed Ahl-i-Islam Madras', the institution began its journey with a generous gift of 240 Arabic and Persian books from the King of Egypt. In a mere four months, the library burgeoned to house an impressive collection of 1,500 books.

Among its treasures are ancient manuscripts, some dating back 300 to 400 years, sourced from diverse corners of the globe—London, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey. Visitors to the library are greeted by a fascinating array of works, from the Persian manuscript to Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The shelves of the Muhammadan Public Library hold a wealth of history, with titles such as H.D. Love’s "Vestiges of Old Madras" from a century ago and a dusty, well-worn July 1883 copy of The Lancet magazine.

Sadly, the library fell into disrepair when its old structure on Quaid-e-Millath Road was demolished some years ago. However, in a joyous revival of history, this venerable institution, boasting a legacy of over 170 years, reopened its doors on a momentous day—Tuesday, December 20, 2005.

Amidst the bustling life of Triplicane, the Muhammadan Public Library stands as a testament to the enduring power of knowledge and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Happy travelling!


Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Tallest Murugan of Chennai

By -
Image
Consecrated in March 2021, the 40 feet high Bala Murugan icon at Saveetha Medical College campus is the tallest image of Murugan in Chennai. Malaysia has 140 feet tall Murugan. In April 2022, the 146 feet tall image of Murugan was consecrated near Salem in Tamil Nadu. However, they are all stucco images. But, the one that we find on the college campus is a monolithic granite icon. Thus, it is the tallest stone icon of Murugan in the entire world. A stone weighing 320 tonnes was brought from Siruvambur near Wallajah, and it was carved to 140 tonnes to get this beautiful and gigantic sculpture. The entire temple complex is designed in the shape of the Devanagiri letter "Om", which can be appreciated in the aerial view.  The west-facing gigantic sculpture is located atop the star-shaped pedestal. It dominates the entire landscape. A large meditation hall is situated below the pedestal. On the open corridor in front of the presiding deity, smaller shrines are found. They enshrine...
Read more

Little known Nimishamba Temple of Chennai

By -
Image
Site Name:  Nimishamba Temple Site Type:  Hindu Temple Location:   Kasi Chetty Street, Sowcarpet, Chennai city, Tamil Nadu state, India Highlights:   A rare temple of Nimishamba in Chennai city Nearest Railway Station:   Chennai - well connected from the cities/towns all over India Nearest Airport:   Chennai has both national and international airports How to reach:   Easily reachable by road as this is centrally located in the city Hotel:  Many star hotels, luxury hotels/resorts, and budget hotels are available in Chennai Restaurants:  All options - vegetarian, non-vegetarian, Chinese, South Indian, Gujarati, North Indian, Punjabi,....- you can find everything in Chennai city Chennai is considered as the gateway to South India. The capital city of Tamil Nadu state of India has hundreds of tourist sites which include museum, British period monuments, temples, beach, etc. Let us explore a little known temple called Nimisham...
Read more

Hastinapuram Navapashanam Murugan Temple

By -
Image
Navapashanam is an amalgam of nine poisonous herbs. It is said to act as a remedy for all types of diseases. It is believed that the Siddhas knew the secret formula to prepare this medicinal potion.  The sculpture of Murugan from the famous Palani is claimed to be made of Navapashanam. Similarly, there is a lesser-known temple near Chennai, which has a Navapashanam Murugan. In Hastinapuram near Chrompet in the southern outskirts of Chennai, in a congested lane called Masjid Street, this tiny temple of Bala Murugan is situated. Murugan, made of Navapashanam, is the presiding deity.  Jalakandeeswara Linga, Meenakshi, and the Siddha who found this temple are the other Murtis found in the temple. Happy travelling.
Read more