Read the following passage and answer the following questions: The existence of academic libraries during the medieval period of Indian history is not known, though the Muslim rulers did patronize libraries in their own places. A lone exception, however, was a library attached to a college at Bidar, having a collection of 3,000 books on different subjects. Aurangzeb got this library transferred to Delhi to merge it with his palace library. College libraries are the fore-runners of a modern university library. Warren Hastings, Governor-General (1774-85), founded a Madrasa at Calcutta in 1781. Jonathan Duncan in 1792 stressed the need to collect books of the ancient valuable general learning and tradition. Lord Minto, Governor- General (1807-13), in his minutes of the 6 March 1811 wrote, Library be attached to each of the colleges under the charge of a learned native with a small establishment of servants for the care of manuscripts. Perhaps, this is the first statement on record concerning libraries in the academic set-up in India. Lord Auckland, Governor- General of Indian (1836-40), further outlined the library policy in his minutes of the 24 November 1839; make the greatest use of the college libraries which are now attached to many of our institutions. Library collections of the colleges thus started growing and by 1882 some of them crossed a thousand marks.
From which place to which place a college library did Aurangzeb shift?
Bidar to Delhi
Understanding the Passage and Aurangzeb's Library Transfer
The question asks about the movement of a college library by Aurangzeb based on the provided passage. We need to carefully read the text to identify where this event is mentioned and what places are involved.
Locating the Information
Reading through the passage, we find the following sentences that are relevant:
- "A lone exception, however, was a library attached to a college at Bidar, having a collection of 3,000 books on different subjects."
- "Aurangzeb got this library transferred to Delhi to merge it with his palace library."
The first sentence identifies a specific college library located at Bidar with 3,000 books. The second sentence states that Aurangzeb transferred "this library" (referring to the one at Bidar) to Delhi.
Analyzing the Transfer
Based on the text:
- The library originated from a college at Bidar.
- Aurangzeb moved this library to Delhi.
Therefore, the transfer was from Bidar to Delhi.
Evaluating the Options
Let's look at the given options:
- Delhi to Bidar: This is the reverse direction of what the passage states. The library was transferred to Delhi, not from Delhi to Bidar.
- Bidar to Calcutta: The passage mentions a Madrasa founded in Calcutta later by Warren Hastings, but it does not state that Aurangzeb transferred the Bidar library to Calcutta.
- Bidar to Delhi: This aligns perfectly with the information provided in the passage, which says the library from Bidar was transferred to Delhi.
- Calcutta to Delhi: The passage does not mention any library being transferred from Calcutta to Delhi by Aurangzeb. Calcutta is mentioned in the context of a later period.
Based on the clear statement in the passage, the correct answer is that the college library was shifted from Bidar to Delhi by Aurangzeb.
Revision Table: Key Figures and Early Academic Libraries
| Figure | Contribution to Libraries (as per passage) | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Aurangzeb | Transferred a college library from Bidar to Delhi. | Medieval Period (referenced) |
| Warren Hastings | Founded a Madrasa at Calcutta (1781). | 1774-1785 |
| Jonathan Duncan | Stressed collecting ancient learning books (1792). | 1792 |
| Lord Minto | Suggested attaching libraries to colleges (1811). | 1807-1813 |
| Lord Auckland | Outlined library policy, emphasized using college libraries (1839). | 1836-1840 |
Additional Information on Historical Indian Libraries
While the passage focuses on the medieval and early British periods regarding academic libraries, India has a long history of libraries associated with educational and religious institutions. Before the period discussed, ancient universities like Nalanda and Taxila were known to have extensive libraries. However, the passage specifically notes the lack of known academic libraries during the medieval period in India, with the Bidar college library being highlighted as a rare exception.
The patronage of libraries by rulers was not uncommon; however, these were often personal or palace libraries, like the one in Delhi where the Bidar collection was merged. The development of libraries specifically attached to colleges and intended for academic use became more formalized during the British colonial period, as indicated by the actions and statements of figures like Warren Hastings, Jonathan Duncan, Lord Minto, and Lord Auckland. Their efforts contributed to the gradual growth of college library collections, laying groundwork for modern university library systems.
Important Questions from Types of Library & Information Systems
Which of the following functions of the University Library are given by Wilson and Tauber?
A. Conservation of Knowledge
B. Teaching
C. Leisure Study
D. Publication
E. Follow-up study
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Which of the following is not a designated National Library?
Which of the following statements with reference to special libraries in India?
A. There were no Scientific Libraries before World War II.
B. Library of the Anthropological Survey of India, Calcutta, is rich in maps and reprints.
C. The National Forest Library and Information Center is situated at Dehradun
D. Indian Institute of Science Library is named after JRD Tata
E. CSIR was formed after independence
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Who founded Madrasa in 1781 ?
Who of the following wrote a minute suggesting establishment of library in each college ?
