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Introduction:
The Government Oriental Manuscripts Library, Chennai is a radically distinctive library which consists of a rich trove of manuscripts of works in literature, history, philosophy and science, written in South Indian and Oriental Languages, and of Kaifiyats a distinguished literary genre and inscriptions found in many places belonging to different periods of history. The library is a government body governed by the Curator under the aegis of the Director of Archeology, Government of Tamil Nadu. Although the library grew from time to time it came into vogue in the literal sense since 1869 and is located in the premises of the Madras University Library.
The Government Oriental Manuscripts Library mainly comprises of the collections of Colonel Mackenzie, Dr.Leyden and Mr.C.P. Brown.The main objective of the library is to acquire and preserve manuscripts. It also helps in classification and cataloging of manuscripts, apart from that publication of rare manuscripts and library catalogs is also one of its activity areas. The library also engages in purchase of books and periodical for reference, and accelerates supply of authentic information in respect to manuscripts to the scholars.
- Collection of Government Oriental Manuscripts Library
The library has traced a long journey indeed and at present it has a collection of 71180 manuscripts in languages like Telugu,Sanskrit,Tamil,Arabic,Urdu,Persian and other oriental languages. Apart from this, 22,887 printed books are available for reference in the Library.
- Major Activities at Government Oriental Manuscripts Library
Apart from functioning as a reference library and conserving and preserving manuscripts, it also publishes and hosts manuscript exhibitions.
- Mackenzie's collection-
Based on the valuable collections of Colonel Colin Mackenzie whose advent to India in 1783 was as a Cadet of Engineers on the Madras Establishment of the East India Company this mainly comprises of a large number of manuscripts, coins, inscriptions, maps etc., bearing on the literature, religion, history, manners and customs of the people not only from different parts of India but also from Ceylon and Java. He took a keen interest in the study of ancient mathematics, logarithm in particular, and literature of oriental languages and his collection bears evidence of his pursuits.
- Leyden's Collection-
These comprise of manuscripts in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada characters in the India Office Library, London and shows his interests as a linguist.
- Brown's Collection -
They are valuable collections of paper manuscripts in Sanskrit and Telugu works.
- Conservation at Government Oriental Manuscripts Library
The rare and valuable palm-leaf manuscripts are carefully preserved by adopting manual and chemical methods. The injured and damaged paper manuscripts are preserved by mending with Chiffon cloth.
- Membership at Government Oriental Manuscripts Library
Being a unique repository of rare collection of manuscripts generally pertaining to the British era the library is a favorite research hub.It lends its membership facilities to both Indian and Foreign research scholars.Besides reading facilities there is a lending section also.But in case of borrowing, members need to take prior approved permission.
- Working hours of Government Oriental Manuscripts Library:
It remains from 10.00AM - 5.45PM on all working days. The Government Oriental Manuscripts Library remains closed on fridays, saturdays and government holidays.
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