4 - Mahmuddiyah Library, Jami’at Ulama-i Hind

HOLDINGS: A medium-sized, unique collection of mostly printed materials in Urdu, Persian and Arabic, including some periodicals.

WEBSITE: No

HOURS: Generally late mornings (9:00-11:00am) and early afternoons (2:00-4:00pm)

LOCATION: Near ITO Chauk, in the Jami’at Ulama’-i Hind complex. Adjacent to ITO Police Headquarters. Nearest Metro: Pragati Maidan

DESCRIPTION: This small but welcoming library is unaccustomed to receiving visitors. The catalogue of books is printed and bound into small folders by subject. The collection has a wide range of material, mostly in Urdu. There are no copy services, but photography is permitted. No documentation or letters of introduction are required.

TIP: The generous staff are likely to offer you tea and whatever food they happen to have brought in. Reciprocate by bringing in a snack to share with the attendant and the clutch of newspaper-readers that visit the reading room. Also consider meeting with the editor of the al-Jami’at newspaper, located on the ground floor. He may have other tips on how to pursue your research.

5 - Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Library, Azad Bhavan

HOLDINGS: The personal collection of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad; a general collection in Urdu, Hindi, Persian and Arabic; possibly a small number of manuscripts.

WEBSITE: Yes, click here

HOURS: Approximately 9:30am-4:00pm

LOCATION: On the second floor of Azad Bhavan in ITO. Nearest Metro: Pragati Maidan

DESCRIPTION: The collection of the Azad Bhavan library is split into two sections. Of these, the Goshah-yi Azad is likely to be the more interesting. All of the books in this section of the library once belonged to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. There is a large amount of material available in Urdu, Persian and Arabic. The catalogue is not reliable, however, and you may prefer to browse the stacks to identify which shelves hold books related to your topic. The second section is dedicated to books purchased since the founding of Azad Bhavan. In either case, you should present copious documentation before browsing. No particular document is needed - a flurry of the usual documents (advisor’s letter, university affiliation, resident permit, etc.) should do the trick. To view a book, you will need to write a letter addressed to the Librarian requesting permission. For copies, a separate letter is required. Photography is strictly prohibited; photocopying of entire works is allowed at a set rate of around one rupee per copied page.

TIPS: Expect to return several times before you get your copy. The head librarian is kind and will surely approve your request, but the library assistant/copier will hamstring your progress. Be persistent. Smaller requests seem to work better than asking for 3-4 books at a time. While you wait, ask the Gosha attendant about her decade working as an Arabic-language cataloguer in Maiduguri.

6 - Dayal Singh Library

HOLDINGS: An unpredictable collection of early and mid-twentieth century works in Urdu, Hindi, English and Sanskrit. Hindi is particularly well represented.

WEBSITE: No

HOURS: Morning to evening.

LOCATION: West of ITO, near Tilak Bridge railway station. Nearest Metro: Pragati Maidan

DESCRIPTION: This library has a small, well-maintained collection. It does not possess a large cachet of rare materials, but it for scholars of the early and mid-20th century, it is worth checking, especially if you’re already in ITO. Access is open, and there are no limitations on photography. If you have registered with the Delhi FRRO, you may even apply for a library card to check out books.

TIPS: When you arrive, speak to Riyaz, a cataloger who sits at the far left on the ground floor. He is enthusiastic and very supportive. If it is lunchtime, bring along a snack– he will probably insist on sharing his tiffin with you.

7 - The Ghalib Institute

HOLDINGS: A wide range of well-curated Urdu and Persian books and manuscripts.

WEBSITE: Yes, click here

HOURS: Approximately 10:00am – 4:00pm

LOCATION On a comfortable day, you can walk from Connaught Place to the Ghalib Institute. The Institute is located on Mata Sundari Road, across from the Mata Sundari Gurudwara. Nearest Metro: Barakhamba Road

DESCRIPTION: The collection is broad within the field of Urdu letters. Literary works and other publications in Urdu are available; manuscripts may be available as well. Entry and photography are unrestricted.

TIPS: The collections are under lock and key, and the key is held by the head librarian. If he is out there is not much you can do. To while away the time, head across the complex to have a look at the adjoining Ghalib Museum.

8 - The Hardayal Library

HOLDINGS: A large collection of rare manuscripts in many languages from as early as the Mughal period, rare print books from the 19th and early 20th century in Indian Languages, and many first editions of English books.

WEBSITE: No

HOURS: Approximately 10:00am-4:00pm.

LOCATION: On HC road, near the entrance to Chandni Chowk Metro station. The library is down a short lane near the entrance. Nearest Metro: Chandni Chowk

DESCRIPTION: This library was originally founded as the Hardinge Library in 1912, reportedly after Lord Hardinge survived an assassination attempt while astride an elephant.[2] At Independence, the library was renamed after the leader of his would-be assassins. Since then, it has been known as the Hardayal Library. The depth and variety of this collection make it one of the richest sources of historical material in Delhi. It may not have what you are looking for – but if anyone does, it may just be here. You’ll want to explore as much as you can – the catalog is spread across a number of registers, by language and subject, with special registers for manuscripts and other rare books.

At the main reception area, you may ask to look at the catalogues. If you find a book of interest, you must obtain permission to use the library and view books. To do this, exit the library and walk around to the back of the building, where there is a portico. On the right is the office of the in-charge. On the left that of the honorary secretary, Surekha Gupta. Mrs. Gupta, herself a scholar of Sanskrit, is eager to reverse the fortunes of this library and has ambitious plans to reinvent it as the center of research that it ought to be. If at all possible, try to arrange your visit directly with Mrs. Gupta, instead of with the other staff. She will make all final, official decisions regarding photography and access to materials.

To consult materials, you will be offered a desk to work at inside the library. Photographs are generally available, with the stipulation that you provide a copy of your pictures to the library. This will help them to grow their (nascent) digital collection.

9 - Jamia Hamdard Library

HOLDINGS: A vast collection of manuscripts and early printed materials in Arabic, Persian and Urdu. A large collection of 20th century periodicals in Urdu, including rare magazines.

WEBSITE: Yes, click here

HOURS: 9:30-12:30 – 1:30-4:30

LOCATION: On the Mehrauli-Badarpur road, beside the ruins of Tughluqabad. Nearest Metro: Govindpuri/Saket

DESCRIPTION: The central library at Jamia Hamdard contains the holdings of the university itself, plus several other donated collections. While all of these holdings are impressive, for scholars of the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Nazir collection is a treasure trove.[3] These thousands of books are well-preserved and unlikely to be found anywhere else. In addition to Urdu, the section dedicated to Arabic and Persian religious texts is also expansive. Upstairs, the manuscript collection is similarly robust and is run by a very welcoming scholar, Dr. Sayyid Qamar al-Hasan.

Upon arrival at the library, head to the second floor, sign in at security and ask to see the librarian in charge, Mr. Tanvir, whose office is just behind the security guard. For permission to use the library, you will need to give him a written request. Most rare books, including the Urdu collection, are held on the third floor. The Nazir Collection is housed in a special room that is especially convenient for reading. Photography is tacitly allowed.

TIP: When the library closes for lunch, head to the international students’ hostel canteen for filling, convenient and delicious meals.