(Audrey) I read the following passage today in a printed manuscript catalogue:
“The three volumes of the ‘Amal-i-Salih, a detailed history of Shah Jahan from his birth to his death, composed by Muhammad Salih Kanbuh, are missing. The volumes were lent to Sayyid ‘Abd-ul-Waris ul-Musawi of Buhar on the 12th of June, 1911, and were never returned.”
See what can happen if you don’t return your library books? Poor Mr. Musawi has been named and shamed for all to see… and this catalogue was printed in 1921! Granted no manuscript catalogue is making it on Amazon’s best-seller list, but more people have probably learned about Mr. Musawi’s delinquency than he would have liked over the past century.
I’d like to do some naming of my own today, but in praise. Today I visited the National Library of Calcutta. Before going I had received mixed reviews about the friendliness of this particular collection to scholars, but I happen to have an excellent experience. Everybody from the guard up to the manuscript-wallah was nice, helpful, smiled at me, and worked to ensure quick service.
Within 1 ½ hours I had a 2 library cards, permission to use my laptop everywhere and anywhere (yes!), and was sitting in a freezing cold room. That’s right folks, I have finally found an Indian archive that keeps their manuscripts under climate control. All hope is not yet lost in my world.
And check out these doors behind which they store the manuscripts—that’s serious protection!
My fingers were numb within 10 minutes in this ice box, but I was typing with those fingers and so was very happy overall. The manuscript-wallah showed me everything I wanted, and I researched in peace in this lovely room.
From the bottom of my still slightly cold, but curiously warmed heart, thanks Calcutta.
Tags: archives, Calcutta, climate control, Kolkata, National Library, research
