This exhibition on Rampur Raza Library was envisaged by the India International Centre during India International festival of arts 6-12 October, 2006. The experts from IIC came to Rampur and jointly inspected the rich collection of miniature paintings and selected 134, specimens of paintings datable from 14 to 19" centuries for display in the exhibition.
The exhibition is set up by the India International Centre in conference room no. 1.
The exhibition has been so kindly inaugurated by His Excellency Shri T.V. Rajeswar, Governor of Uttar Pradesh and Chairman Rampur Raza Library Board on 6 October, 2006 at India International Centre.
It is hoped that visitors will add to their information about Rampur Raza Library collection, which is known for its richness and variety in the world.
This will also provide insight in certain unknown aspects of medieval life in India and Central Asia.
We would like to thank Shri PC Sen, Director of India International Centre for allowing to organize this exhibition in the premises of the Centre.
Thanks are also due to Dr. H.K Kaul. Chief Librarian of IIC for extending valuable cooperation in organizing the exhibition. I am also grateful to Dr. Abusad Islahi, Library & Information Officer of Rampur Raza Library who has helped me in selection of the paintings for this exhibition.
Nawab Muhammad Yusuf Ali Khan 'Nazim'was a literary person and a famous poet of Urdu and a disciple of celebrated poet Mirza Ghalib. He created a separate department of the library and shifted the collection to newly constructed rooms. The Nawab also invited well-known calligraphers, illuminators and binders from Kashmir and other parts of India. The later Nawabs continued to enrich the collection.
Nawab Kalbe Ali Khan (1865-87) was a distinguished scholar and very much Interested in the collection of rare manuscripts, paintings and commissioned connoisseur scholars to obtain rare manuscripts, paintings and other art objects and thus enormously enriched the library collection.
Nawab Hamid Ali Khan (1889-1930) shifted the collection to the new building in 1892 in the Fort.
The last Nawab Raza Ali Khan (1930-1966) took unprecedented interest in the library and purchased several rare manuscripts and books on Indian classical music.
The library has a unique collection of manuscripts, in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Hindi, Tamil, Pushto, Urdu, Turkish and other languages. It also has a rich collection of miniature paintings belonging to the Turko-Mongol, Mughal, Persian, Rajput. Deccani, Kangra, Awadh and company schools and has acquired the valuable Loharu collection.
The library has a collection of nearly 20,000 manuscripts, 80,000 printed books nearly 5,000 miniature paintings. 3000 rare specimens of Islamic calligraphy, Nawabi antiquities besides centuries old astronomical instruments and nearly 1500 rare gold, silver and copper coins datable from 5" century B.C to 19" century A.D and the library is also very rich in Mughal and Nawabi rare antiquities it also has a collection of Palm leaf manuscripts in Tamil, Telagu, Kannar and Malayalam languages.
The library is practically managed by the Rampur Raza Library Board with 12 members whose Chairman is the Governor of Uttar Pradesh. Presently His Excellency Shri T.V Rajeswar is the Governor and Chairman of Rampur Raza Library Board.
I am really beholden to His Excellency Shri T.V Rajeswar, Governor of Uttar Pradesh and Chairman of Rampur Raza Library Board for having instructed me to publish the Catalogue of the Exhibition of Mughal paintings of Rampur Raza Library, Rampur held at India International Centre, New Delhi on 6 12 October 2006.
1 extend my gratitude to Miss Sanam Ali Khan, Conservator of the Raza Library Conservation Laboratory for doing digital photography of the exhibits. Thanks are also due to Miss Promila Ghose, Chief Programme Officer of India International Centre, New Delhi for her cooperation in the preparation of the exhibition.
I am thankful to Mr. Danish Assistant, Miss Mohini Rani, Head Clerk and Mrs. Bilqees Faruqi, UDC of Rampur Raza Library for helping me in various ways and composing the text of the Catalogue
The Rampur Raza Library has an outstanding collection of rare illustrated manuscripts and 5000 miniature paintings of different schools such as Turko-Mongol, Persian, Mughal, Rajput, Rajasthani, Kishangarh, Pahari, Kangra, Daccani, Awadh and company, datable from 14° to 19" century A.D.
Among the rare illustrated large size manuscripts is that of Jamiut-Tawarikh by Rashidud-Din Fazlullah who was a reputed scholar, scientist and a physician of his time and Prime Minister of Ghazan Khan of Central Asia. The book was compiled in AH710(AD 1310). It has 84 illustrations depicting the life and times of Mongol Tribes
Another important illustrated manuscript is the Shah Nama of Firdausi with 52 paintings, scribed in A.D 1430. There is yet another illustrated manuscript Mathnavi Laila Majnu by Nizami Ganjwi, scribed in elegant Nastaliq script in A.H 949 (A.D 1542-43). Mention may also be made of the illustrated manuscript of Abdur Rahman Jami, scribed by Jamalud-Din Katib Shirazi, in Nastaliq characters in A.H 977 (A.D 1569-70).
Among the rare and valuable illustrated manuscript is Diwan-1-Haliz which was scribed during Akber's eventful reign most probably between 1570-80 A.D. and illustrated by the celebrated court painters. The manuscript written in elegant Nastaliq script and bears eleven miniatures, representing (1) The emperor listening from the Diwan--Haliz painted by Kanah (2) Darvishes dancing in the Khanqah overpowered by the ecstasy of devotional music (3) a young prince in rocky valley painted by Sanwala, a nobelman listening to musician in the garden painted by Farrukh Chela (4) Prince riding on in a rocky surrounding painted by Manohar (5) A prince discussing with scholars and old man watching a llock painted by Farukh Beg. An interesting scene of Turkish Hamam and a prince enjoying wine painted by Narsingh, provided details of contemporary life style of sixteenth century A.D
Another important illustrated manuscript Kalila-wa-Dimna by Abul Mali Nasrullah in Persian Nastaliq script which was scribed by Sultan Muhammad bin Nurullah in early 16" century A.D. The Manuscript is the Persian translation of Panch Tantra of Indian fables with beautiful paintings depicting the stories. It has been selected as one of the World Heritage Manuscripts by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
There is a unique album of 157 paintings of Emperor Akbar (1575-1580 A.D) which is popularly known as Tilism, prepared by the renouned painters of Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri. These paintings throw flood of light on the bleafs and practices of Indian people in 16" century A.D. It provides illustrated examples of the people of different professions from the land tiller (farmer) to the traders, scholars, musicians and practices of magical or hypnotic and influence of animate and inanimate objects upon people, preserved in Rampur Raza Library. The painters have carefully highlighted magical or hypnotic practices and supernatural objects in these puintings Although the painters have not signed there names on these paintings still their work can be identified on stylistic ground.
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