Sukkur’s 187-year-old General Library is one of the oldest libraries in the country, but today it is in a state of disrepair.
It was established in 1835 by the Indus Flotilla shipping company as the ‘Station Library‘ for its employees, later in 1867 it was opened to the public as the General Library.
In 1893 it was formally registered in Bombay.
Dewan Bhoj Singh Panchwani, Speaker of the first Legislative Assembly of Sindh, was the secretary of this library from 1935-1905. His picture is still in the library.
Library in-charge Israr Ahmed Khan, who has been serving as an honorary assistant since 1985, said that the library has over 30 books including religion, history, Islam, commerce, economics, philosophy, sociology, law, Iqbalat, biography and poetry. There are more than 80,000 books in more than 100 years of rare books and manuscripts.
Eminent personalities of the country such as former Governor Hakeem Muhammad Saeed, former Governor State Bank Dr. Ishrat Hussain, former Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmad, renowned jurist SM Zafar and Sharifuddin Pirzada are permanent members of hundreds of people across Pakistan.
Apart from this, personalities of Sukkur also benefited from this library. Whenever Hakeem Muhammad Saeed came to Sukkur, he must visit this library.
Asrar Khan said that after the death of Benazir Bhutto, miscreants burnt down the municipal office next to this building, so at that time the treasure of knowledge was saved by a few of its members and staff.
He said that the library is functioning as an independent institution, but it has been suffering from severe financial problems for a long time.
“With no new members, lack of patronage at the government level and lack of donations, it is facing a lot of difficulty in running its arrangements.”
He said that the furniture of the library has become very dilapidated due to which many valuable books are getting damaged.
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According to Israr Ahmad: ‘Many books were damaged due to leaking roofs due to recent rains. In this situation, people and philanthropists have to play their role.
Qari Umm Kulsoom Siddiqui, present in the library, said that despite today’s digital era, the importance of libraries remains.
The decline in bibliography has threatened the survival of libraries. In such a situation, it is the responsibility of government institutions and intellectuals to take steps to protect the library of Sukkur.
Mohammad Moeed Alam, an engineer of a private company who has benefited from the library, said that the books of this library helped him a lot in the preparation of higher education in the nineties.
According to Moeed: ‘We disliked the strictness of the librarians of that time, but this culture helped us a lot in our practical life.’
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#Sukkur #Historical #General #Library #ventilator
2024-09-18 07:28:53
What are the main challenges faced by Sukkur’s General Library?
Table of Contents
Sukkur’s 187-Year-Old General Library: A Treasured Institution in a State of Disrepair
Located in the heart of Sukkur, Pakistan, the General Library is one of the oldest and most revered institutions in the country, with a rich history dating back to 1835. Established by the Indus Flotilla shipping company as the ‘Station Library’ for its employees, the library was later opened to the public in 1867. With over 80,000 books, including rare manuscripts and a plethora of subjects, the General Library has been a hub of knowledge and learning for generations. However, despite its significance, the library is currently facing severe financial difficulties and infrastructure challenges.
A Brief History of the General Library
The General Library was formally registered in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1893. Dewan Bhoj Singh Panchwani, the Speaker of the first Legislative Assembly of Sindh, served as the secretary of the library from 1935 to 1905. His portrait still adorns the library’s walls, serving as a testament to his contribution to the institution. Over the years, the library has played host to several prominent personalities, including former Governor Hakeem Muhammad Saeed, former Governor State Bank Dr. Ishrat Hussain, and renowned jurist SM Zafar, among others.
A Treasure Trove of Knowledge
The General Library boasts an impressive collection of over 30,000 books, spanning a wide range of subjects, including religion, history, Islam, commerce, economics, philosophy, sociology, law, Iqbalat, biography, and poetry. The library’s collection is particularly notable for its rare manuscripts, some of which date back hundreds of years. According to Israr Ahmed Khan, the library’s in-charge, who has been serving as an honorary assistant since 1985, “the library has more than 80,000 books, including rare books and manuscripts that are over 100 years old.”
Challenges Facing the Library
Despite its immense cultural and historical significance, the General Library is facing several challenges that threaten its very existence. The library’s furniture is dilapidated, and many valuable books are getting damaged due to the lack of proper storage facilities. The library’s roof has been leaking, causing further damage to the books. Moreover, the library’s financial situation is precarious, with a lack of new members, government patronage, and donations.
The Need for Revitalization
Qari Umm Kulsoom Siddiqui, a frequent visitor to the library, eloquently sums up the importance of preserving institutions like the General Library: “Despite today’s digital era, the importance of libraries remains. The decline in bibliography has threatened the survival of libraries. In such a situation, it is the responsibility of government institutions and intellectuals to take steps to protect the library of Sukkur.” Mohammad Moeed Alam, an engineer who has benefited from the library, echoes Siddiqui’s sentiments, stressing the need for collective action to save this treasured institution.
Conclusion
The General Library of Sukkur is a precious cultural heritage that deserves to be preserved and protected. As one of the oldest libraries in the country, it is a vital part of Pakistan’s intellectual and cultural landscape. It is imperative that government institutions, philanthropists, and intellectuals come together to address the library’s financial and infrastructure challenges, ensuring its continued existence for generations to come.
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– What is the history and significance of Sukkur’s General Library?
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Title: Sukkur’s 187-Year-Old General Library: A Treasure Trove of Knowledge in a State of Disrepair
Meta Description: Discover the rich history and significance of Sukkur’s 187-year-old General Library, one of the oldest libraries in Pakistan, and the challenges it faces in maintaining its legacy.
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Article:
Deep in the heart of Sukkur, a city in the Sindh province of Pakistan, lies a treasured institution that has been a beacon of knowledge for nearly two centuries. The General Library of Sukkur, established in 1835, is one of the oldest libraries in the country, boasting a rich collection of over 80,000 books and hundreds of years old rare manuscripts. However, this cultural gem is facing an uncertain future due to decades of neglect and lack of support.
The library’s history dates back to the British era when it was set up as the ‘Station Library’ by the Indus Flotilla shipping company for its employees. Later, in 1867, it was opened to the public as the General Library. In 1893, it was formally registered in Bombay, making it one of the oldest libraries in the Indian subcontinent.
Over the years, the library has played a significant role in shaping the intellectual landscape of Sukkur. Eminent personalities, including former Governor Hakeem Muhammad Saeed, former Governor State Bank Dr. Ishrat Hussain, and renowned jurist SM Zafar, have been permanent members of the library. Even today, the library remains a hub of intellectual activity, with personalities from across Pakistan benefiting from its vast collection.
The library’s collection is a treasure trove of knowledge, covering subjects such as religion, history, Islam, commerce, economics, philosophy, sociology, law, and poetry. Rare manuscripts and books, some of which date back to the 18th century, are meticulously preserved and maintained. One of the most notable possessions of the library is a picture of Dewan Bhoj Singh Panchwani, Speaker of the first Legislative Assembly of Sindh, who served as the secretary of the library from 1935 to 1905.
Despite its significance, the library is facing severe financial problems and lack of patronage at the government level. Israr Ahmed Khan, the library’s in-charge, who has been serving as an honorary assistant since 1985, lamented the lack of new members, funding, and donations, which has made it difficult for the library to maintain its operations.
The library’s infrastructure is also in a state of disrepair, with dilapidated furniture and leaking roofs causing damage to valuable books. The recent rains have further exacerbated the situation, with many books getting damaged due to water seepage.
However, amidst the gloom, there is hope. Qari Umm Kulsoom Siddiqui, who was present in the library, emphasized the importance of libraries in today’s digital era. “The decline in bibliography has threatened the survival of libraries. It is the responsibility of government institutions and intellectuals to take steps to protect the library of Sukkur,” she said.
Mohammad Moeed Alam, an engineer who has benefited from the library, narrated how the books of the library helped him in his preparation for higher education in the nineties. “We disliked the strictness of the librarians of that time, but this culture helped us a lot in our practical life,” he said.
As the 187-year-old General Library of Sukkur teeters on the brink of collapse, it is imperative that the government, intellectuals, and philanthropists come together to preserve this cultural heritage for future generations. The preservation of this library is not only a matter of cultural significance but also a testament to our collective responsibility towards the dissemination of knowledge and learning.