Rampur Raza Library

Rampur Raza Library is a renowned repository of Indo-Islamic heritage located in Hamid Manzil within the Rampur Fort complex, Rampur, Uttar Pradesh. Founded in 1774 by Nawab Faizullah Khan, it houses a vast collection of manuscripts, miniature paintings, Islamic calligraphy and rare printed books. Declared an Institution of National Importance by the Government of India, it is noted for its Indo-European architecture and scholarly collections.

Visitors can expect to explore the heritage palace building Hamid Manzil with its Indo-European architecture, domes and halls. Inside are museum galleries displaying rare manuscripts in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Sanskrit and Turkish, Islamic calligraphy specimens, Mughal and Persian miniature paintings, astronomical instruments and historical artifacts. Access is primarily to exhibition galleries and museum sections; the research library and manuscript storage are accessible to scholars with permission.

Founded in 1774 by Nawab Faizullah Khan, the first Nawab of Rampur, as his personal collection. Successive Nawabs, especially Nawab Ahmad Ali Khan and Nawab Hamid Ali Khan, greatly expanded the collection. Hamid Manzil, the present building, was constructed in the early 20th century during Nawab Hamid Ali Khan's reign. After independence, the library was taken over by the Government of India in 1975 and declared an Institution of National Importance.

The library is a major centre of Indo-Islamic and South Asian cultural heritage, preserving manuscripts, calligraphy, miniature paintings and printed works in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Pashto, Sanskrit, Hindi and Turkish. It reflects the patronage of art and learning by the Rampur State and serves as an important resource for scholars of Islamic studies, history, art and literature.