International Journal Advances in Social Science and Humanities
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
The Calcutta Public Library: Heralding a New Dawn in the History
of Public Library in India
Marim Joice*
Zakir Husain Centre for Educational Studies, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, NewDelhi, India.
*Corresponding author: E-mail: Marim Joice
Abstract
The present article looks at how the establishment of the Calcutta public library in 1835 paved a way for a new system of library in India. The Calcutta Public Library as an institution was far ahead of its times, it was a pioneer in terms of a modern system for libraries in India. This library was the first library opened to all ranks and classes of the society. The Calcutta public library provided the opportunity to foster a taste of the elegant literature and sound knowledge of the west. The Calcutta public library had a considerable influence and served itself as a model which was emulated by many public libraries founded in later period. The Calcutta public library went on to become the National Library of India. The library was first amalgamated to the Imperial Library in 1900 and finally transformed into the present National Library of India in 1948 after India’s independence.
Keywords: Public Library, Inhabitants, Subscribers, Proprietors, Store house.
Introduction
India had been a seat of learning since ancient times. Many scholars and students from all parts of India and also from distant foreign countries like China, Korea, Tibet and Tokhara came to acquire knowledge of the East [1].“Foreign students came to the establishment to put an end to their doubts and became celebrated, and those, who stole the name (Nalanda) were all treated with respect wherever they went” [2].
Fa Hsien, Yuan Chwang and I-tsing were not the only Chinese scholars that were attracted to Nalanda by its fame as a centre of learning, there were also scholars like Thonmi, Hiuen Chiu, Taou-hi, Hwui-nieh, Ayavarman, Budhadharma, Taou-sing, Tang and Hwui Lu, came to India and stayed at different Buddhist monasteries like Taxila, Nalanda, Pataliputra and Tamralipti for several years acquiring higher education and copying manuscripts [3]. When they went back to their native land they took along various Buddhist literary works,
slokas, images and relics of Buddha which were the rare collections of the text house in the libraries or Bhandaras [4]. These institutions maintained splendid libraries. Hence, the concept of library is not new to Indians as they were among the oldest of these knowledge institutions. The difference between the modern library as they are known today and the ‘house of knowledge’ as they were referred to in ancient times lies in the nature of service. In olden days libraries were mainly used for storing of records and perceived as repository rather than an agent for dissemination of knowledge. The absence of service in the olden day libraries limited the functions of libraries to a mere a storehouse whereas modern libraries not only collect data but also engage in the dissemination and sharing of information.
and purposes. The city under their rule witnessed many new culture and habits being introduced. European culture and manners were considered a symbol of modernity so the newly emerged educated class in Calcutta responded in a most creative ways to the aspects of European culture that became available to them in the city [5].
For the Europeans reading and learning was part of their culture as a result when they came to India they could not do away with the habit of reading even in the foreign land. However, reading in this city was expensive as books were not available easily and the books they brought along with them were insufficient to meet the reading needs of the people. Stimulus for reading came with the introduction of English education, the ‘Young Bengal’ or the English educated youth of Bengal were good in English and read English literatures avidly[6] as a result, demand for books increased as the reading population increases tremendously, who later were part of a larger reading population of the Calcutta public library.
Before the establishment of the Calcutta public library in 1835, there were libraries already in existence in Calcutta. However, the proprietary subscription libraries and society libraries that were existed prior to the establishment of the Calcutta public library were not opened to the public so the local inhabitants were prohibited from accessing the library. It was mainly for the Europeans and members alone.
The inconveniences caused due to lack of public libraries in Calcutta were raised by many of the inhabitants, both European and educated Indian, thus G.P. Grant, in a meeting on 31 August 1835, expressed the same view, he said, ‘in Calcutta, we are without the means of reading, except by purchasing books... is a very great inconvenience..’[7]. As a result J.H. Stocqueler proposed for the establishment of a public library and a resolution to this effect was passed which declared the existence of Calcutta public library in 1835.
The establishment of Calcutta public library in 1835 was a watershed in the history of
public libraries as it was the first public library opened to all irrespective of ranks and classes in the society. Thus, its establishment heralded a civic and institutional ideological beginning to be practiced throughout India [8].
The present National library of India is the legacy of Calcutta public library. It was first amalgamated to the Imperial library in 1902 by Lord Curzon, the then Governor-General of India and finally transformed to National library of India in 1948 after India’s independence.
Establishment of Calcutta Public Library
The absence of public library in Calcutta which was then intellectual hub of the British Empire caused considerable inconveniences to almost all classes of the society. J.H. Stocqueler, Editor of the local daily ‘Englishman’ therefore suggested in the public meeting organised on 20 August 1835 by the inhabitants of Calcutta to discuss ways to commemorate the emancipation of Indian press by Lord Metcalf, the then Governor-general of India, to establish public library in Calcutta and he drafted a scheme for the establishment of a public library and circulated the proposal to the public gathered in the meeting. Fortunately, the scheme was found favourable to both Indian and European community and they suggested for the immediate establishment of the proposed public library.
A resolution with respect to the establishment of the public library was passed as: a considerable inconveniences is sustained by almost all classes of the community of Calcutta, owing to the absence of anything like General Library, combining the advantage of Reference and Resort with those of Circulating Library, it is proposed to take measures of immediately establishing such institution, upon scale commensurate with the interest and wants of the reading population [9].
meeting over which Sir John Peter Grant, one of the judges of the Supreme Court, presided was so well received ..’[10].
The overwhelming response to the proposed scheme resulted to henceforth established public library in Calcutta. Thus it was resolved at a public meeting of the inhabitants of Calcutta held on the 31 of August 1835 that: it is expedient and necessary to establish in Calcutta a public library of reference and circulations that shall be opened to all ranks and classes without distinction and sufficiently extensive to supply to the wants of the entire community in every department of literature [11].
Thus, by the resolution of the meeting held in August 1835[12] the Calcutta public library came into existence. The library was formally opened to the people on 21 March 1836. In the beginning of its existence the library did not have its own edifice, therefore, Dr. Strong offered lower part of his house to accommodate books and other materials that might accumulate in future and until a proper place was ready for the library[13]. Thus, the ‘commodious premises forming the lower apartment of Dr. Strong’s house in Esplanade row was selected for the present reception of all works’[14].
The establishment of Calcutta public library signified a symbol of new culture and with it heralded a new dawn in the history of public libraries as it was the first modern public library in the present day sense. This library will be highly advantageous not only to the Europeans, but also to the inhabitant of Calcutta [15].
Rules of the Calcutta Public Library
The following are the Fundamental Rules [16] of the Library and Bye-Laws passed by the Curators of the Library.
The library is a public library of reference and circulation, open to all ranks and classes of community.
The property of the library is vested in trustee, for the benefit of the proprietors.
The use of the library is available to subscribers as well as shareholders, under rules hereinafter specified.
The management of the library is
entrusted to a committee of three Curators chosen yearly by the proprietors and subscribers of all classes, and each Curators by virtue of his office is entitled to a vote a pecuniary question and question relating to proprietary rights, whether he himself is a proprietor or not.
No resolution of the Curators, disposing of any funds of the society, in exceeding in amount 1000 Rs, shall be carried into effect until the accounts have been on the table of the library for the space of one week, nor, if a special meeting is required for considering any such resolution, until it is confirmed by the meeting.
All proceedings, of the Curators shall be entered in a book, which shall always be on the table of the library, for the inspection of the proprietors and the subscribers.
All account shall be audited and approved by the Curators and submitted to the yearly meeting of proprietors and subscribers.
Upon all pecuniary questions, and
questions related to proprietary rights, each proprietor is entitled to one vote for each share held by him. Upon all question which are not pecuniary or relating to proprietary rights, each subscribers of the first class and one year standing has one vote.
It is opened to the Curators to a special meeting at any time they think fit, giving not less than seven day’s notice thereof, and they are bound to call such meeting, to be held within one month from the receipt of a requisitionist’s desire for such meeting. If notice of such meeting shall not be given by such Curators, within one fortnight of the receipt of such requisition, any three proprietors may call the same, giving not less than seven day’s notice thereof.
The above rules are the fundamental rules of the institution, and can be altered only at the general meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose by public advertisement, in some one or more of the daily newspapers in Calcutta, with not less than seven day’s notice, and in which shall be expressed the object of the proposed alterations.
There shall be a monthly meeting of proprietors and subscribers on the first Saturday of every month, at 4 o’clock pm at which the Curators are expected to attend and report the progress of the institution, and receive such suggestion and propositions as may be made by any proprietor or subscriber, provided the same shall not be contrary to the Rules of the library.
Types of Library Subscribers
The library subscribers were initially divided into three types namely; first class subscribers, second class subscribers and the third class subscribers. They enjoyed different privileges according to the class they subscribed. The subscribers of the third class had no voice in the management of the library however any subscribers may become a life proprietors by making up his subscription to Rs. 500 with interest [17].
Different entrance fees for different category of subscribers [18] were fixed at a public meeting on 31 August 1835 as:
Proprietor: every person subscribing 300 rupees in one payment, or in three payments of 100 rupees each, 100 rupees being paid down, and the remaining installments at interval of six and twelve months, to be considered proprietor. Thus, Prince Dwarkanath Tagore became the first proprietor of this library by subscribing Rs.300/- in onetime payment.
First Class: - Entrance 20 rupees and 6 rupees for every month subsequent to the first. Such a subscriber of two years standing upwards, to be entitled to become share holders, by an additional payment of 200 rupees.
Second Class: - Entrance 16 rupees and 4 rupees for every month subsequent to the first. The Subscribers of this class of 4 years standing to be entitled to become share holder by an additional payment of 200 rupees.
Third Class subscribers:- Entrance 10 rupees. A subscription of 2 rupees payable from the commencement of the first month.
In order to attract more readers in the use of library a 4th class of subscribers was created in 1849[19]. However, the creation of this class had adverse effect on the number of 3rd class subscribers, because until 1849:the third class subscribers were entitled to only one set of books for Rs. 2 a month. On the formation of the fourth class at Rs. 1 a month, and a number of persons who were content to receive one set of book at a time, transferred their subscription from the third to the fourth class. So that, while in 1849, there had been 106 third class subscribers, in 1865 there were only 50, but in the following year in 1866, when the fourth class was abolished, the number in the third class at once rose to 120 [20].
Therefore, ‘the opening of the fourth class entitled to have books at their own houses at one rupee per month has diminished the number of readers in the country [21]. The drawbacks resulting from the formation of this class led to its abolition in 1866.
by the curators to ‘accommodate strangers or temporary residents who wish to avail themselves of the library [22] when they were in Calcutta for a brief sojourn. Calcutta was a transit point for most of the Europeans coming to India as a result the library was frequented by the section of these readers.
Commenting on the above rules the curators asserted that the rules had been ‘drawn up to meet convenience of all classes of the community, by no means excepting those young men, native of this country who are most meritoriously pursuing their studies and whose means do not afford them opportunities of purchasing books’[23].
Conclusion
The establishment of the Calcutta Public Library was a very exciting phase in the history of libraries in India. It created an excellent system that has been persevered till date. It was in every sense the first modern public library in India for it paved the way for a new system of libraries. The Calcutta Public Library was a brain child of H.J. Stocquler. After establishing General Library in Bombay he came to Calcutta and proposed that a similar library be established in Calcutta. The proposal was found favourable to all who were in the meeting and thus supported by both the body of European and Native proprietors
[24]. This library benefited the native inhabitants of Calcutta and served as the only window through which the majority of the population had access to European literatures. The native elites actively participated in the process and played a significant role in influencing the policy on library acquisitions of books. The establishment of Calcutta Public Library was a blessing to the inhabitants of Calcutta. This library served as a centre for the encouragement and development of scholarship among the native students by giving access to the plethora of knowledge and it also served as an extension of educational institution and imparted continuous learning by giving access to books to those who had left schools and colleges. In addition to benefitting upper classes, the library was also a boon to poor students. The Calcutta public library promoted literary awareness and encouraged the opening of not only other smaller public libraries but also several other scientific, literary and related institutions. It was from this seed that was sown in 1835 germinated and now spread across the country. Today public libraries have been established in every district and town in Indian states. The Calcutta Public Library as an institution was far ahead of its times, it was a pioneer in terms of a modern system for libraries. Thus, its establishment heralded a new dawn in the history of public library in India.
References
1. Altekar AS (2014) Education in Ancient India (Delhi: Isha Books), 264-265.
2. Waters, II,p.165 was quoted by A.S.Alteker in his book, ;Education in Ancient India,pp.264-265. 3. Altekar AS (2014) Education in Ancient India
(Delhi:Isha Books),p.267.
4. Subodh Kumar Mookerjee, (1969) Development of Library and Library Science in India,(Calcutta: the world press private Limited).
5. Marshall PJ (2000) The White Town of Calcutta under the East India Company, Modern Asian Studies, 34(2).
6. Nair PT (2004) Origin of the National Library of India: Days of the Calcutta Public Library (Kolkata: National Library of India), p.7.
7. Calcutta Monthly Journal (October 1835,), 277.
8. Joshi Priya (2013) “Reading in the Public Eye: The Circulation of Fiction in Indian Libraries:1835-1901” in The History of the Book in South Asia, ed. Francesca Orsini (UK: Ash Gate Publishing Company),443.
9. Nair, P.T. (2004) Origin of National Library: Days of the Calcutta Public Library (Kolkata: National Library of India), 8-9.
10. Nair PT (2004) Origin of National Library: Days of the Calcutta Public Library (Kolkata: National Library of India), 8.
11. General proceedings, No. 35, 23 September 1835, letter from W.P. Grant to G.A. Bushby, Secretary to the Government of Bengal. 417.
12. Dhar KN (1920) ‘The Imperial Library Calcutta’, The Calcutta Review, 68.
188, letter from H.J.Stocqueler to Prinsep, Secretary to the Government of Bengal.
15. Calcutta Monthly Journal, (October 1835),277. 16. Report of the Calcutta Public Library for 1847 &
1848, (Calcutta: printed by Sanders Cones & Co., 1848), Appendix- B,ii-iii & Vii.
17. Ibid.
18. Calcutta Monthly Journal, (October 1835), 280. 19. Finances of the Calcutta Public Library, Report of
the Sub-committee Appointed on the (Office of Superintendent of Government printing, Calcutta:10 February, 1873),15.
20. Ibid.
(Calcutta: printed by Sanders Cones & Co., 1850),
8.The Bengal Hurkaru, Vol-XVIII, No.
34(Calcutta: 6 August 1836), 36.
22. The Bengal Hurkaru, Vol-XVIII, No. 34(Calcutta: 6 August 1836), 36.
23. Calcutta Monthly Journal (October 1835), 277. 24. Report of the Calcutta Public Library for the year
1850,p. xxvi.
