Understanding the Imperial Library Act, 1902

The question asks about the person responsible for promulgating the Imperial Library Act in 1902. This act was a significant step in the history of libraries in India.

Let's examine the options provided and their relevance to this historical event:

• Lord Curzon: George Curzon was the Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905. His tenure was marked by various administrative reforms, including initiatives related to preservation of historical monuments (Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904) and education.
• Lord Mountbatten: Louis Mountbatten was the last Viceroy of India, serving in 1947. His period is associated with the partition of India and independence.
• Lord Canning: Charles Canning was the Viceroy of India during the Indian Mutiny of 1857 and served until 1862.
• Lord Dalhousie: James Broun-Ramsay, the Marquess of Dalhousie, served as Governor-General of India from 1848 to 1856. He is known for introducing the Doctrine of Lapse and initiating public works like railways and telegraphs.

Considering the timeline, the Imperial Library Act was promulgated in 1902. Among the options, only Lord Curzon was the Viceroy of India during this period.

The Imperial Library Act of 1902 led to the establishment of the Imperial Library by merging the Calcutta Public Library and the library of the Government of India. This library was intended to be a library of reference, a working place for students, and a repository of material for the future historian upon India.

Therefore, the person who promulgated the Imperial Library Act, 1902, was Lord Curzon.

Revision Table: Key Viceroys and Acts

Additional Information on Imperial Library Act 1902 and its Legacy

The Imperial Library Act 1902 was a landmark legislation under Lord Curzon's administration. It aimed at creating a comprehensive library in India that would serve scholarly and public needs. The library was formally opened to the public in 1903.

The location chosen was the Metcalfe Hall in Kolkata, and later it moved to the Esplanade East premises. The collection brought together valuable resources from existing libraries.

After India's independence, the Imperial Library was renamed the National Library of India by the Imperial Library (Change of Name) Act of 1948. It was formally opened as the National Library in 1953 and is now located at Alipore, Kolkata.

This evolution from the Imperial Library established by Lord Curzon's act highlights the continuous development of national repositories of knowledge in India.