Maulvi Khuda Bakhsh Khan was a remarkable man from Bihar, known for his deep love for books and his efforts as a social reformer. He was born in 1842 in the Siwan district. His father, a well-known lawyer in Patna, passed on his passion for literature to him. Khuda Bakhsh Khan’s family had a rich history, serving as courtiers to the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. After completing his law degree, he became a successful lawyer but chose to invest all his earnings in buying and preserving rare manuscripts and books.
The Khuda Bakhsh Library
In 1891, Khuda Bakhsh Khan established a public library in Patna, which is now called the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library. The library was inaugurated by the Governor of Bengal and started with around 4,000 rare manuscripts. Today, it boasts a collection of over 21,000 manuscripts and millions of books. Scholars and researchers from various countries visit the library to study its unique collection, which includes important texts in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, and other languages. These manuscripts are invaluable for understanding history, religion, and culture. During the decline of the Mughal Empire, many important books and documents were at risk of being lost. After the 1857 revolution, personal libraries of kings and nobles were scattered, and Khuda Bakhsh Khan made it his mission to collect these precious works.
Life of Sacrifice and Commitment
Khuda Bakhsh Khan’s life was marked by his unwavering commitment to books. He was known to go to great lengths to acquire manuscripts. Professor Imtiaz Ahmed, a historian and former director of the Khuda Bakhsh Library, shared that Khuda Bakhsh would spend all his earnings on books and even opened his home to the public to share his collection. Khuda Bakhsh Khan’s legacy lives on through the library he founded, inspiring future generations to appreciate the importance of literature and history. His life is a testament to the power of passion and dedication.
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