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The Town Hall-Asiatic Library is a popular architecture of Mumbai. It is oldest library in Mumbai. Located near the Horniman Circle Town Hall-Asiatic Library is a huge and magnificent building in white. The wide stairs that lead to the entrance of the library add a touch of grace to library. Further the importance of the library not just lies in the number the library accommodates but also for the rich content one can get to read. The Town Hall Library is a grand stay, and honor for the Asiatic Society. The collection of the books mainly comprise of books, which, have been gifted by the members. The beginning of society dates back to 25 March 1784, when the Society received first gift of seven Persian manuscripts from Henri Richardson. The tradition then continued adding numerous books on several subjects thus creating an ocean of knowledge. As time passed much more precious books and museum objects were received by the Society. As a result an urgent need of having a Society building was aroused. And then the Society shifted in its own building in 1808 called as the Town Hall. The Library was thrown open for members and public in the same year. Collection of the Library The Town Hall Asiatic Library has one the rare collection of Books and museum items in India. Its collection includes a selection of rare and old works from Palace Library of Tipoo Sultan. The collection contains the rare illuminated manuscript of Quran and old text of Gulistan, and manuscripts of Padshanamah bearing an autograph of Emperor Shahjahan. The rich collection of the library also contains a rare collection of manuscripts and drawings of Surveyor-General Colonel Mackenzie. Departments in the Library The entire collection at the Town Hall Asiatic library has been divided in three departments such as Printed and Periodicals, Manuscripts and Archives, and Museum Objects. The department of printed books is further divided in categories such as European languages, Sanskrit, and other Modern Indian languages, Perso-Arabic and Urdu, and Sino-Tibetan and South Asian Languages. The traditional look of the library with spiral staircases, old parquet floors, wrought iron loggias, and exquisite marble statutes makes it a worth a visiting place in Mumbai. Definitely the collection at a library is worth the efforts.
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