Allahabad Public Library

Established in 1864, it is the biggest library in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The building was designed by Richard Roskell Bayne and is considered a remarkable example of Scottish Baronial Revival architecture. In 1879, the Public library was shifted to the present premises at Alfred Park.

 

Location: Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

Size: approx. 125,000 books, 40 magazines

Established: 1864

Country: India

 

Holdings

The library has an approximate collection of 125,000 books, 40 types of magazines, and 28 different newspapers in Hindi, English, Urdu, and Bangla and contains 21 Arabic manuscripts. It also has a collection of old government publications, parliamentary papers, and blue books of the 19th century, old manuscripts, and journals.

 

 

Building

The building known as Thornhill Mayne Memorial is situated at Alfred Park and was designed by Richard Roskell Bayne in Scottish Baronial architecture with sharp pillars and turrets of granite and sandstone. It represents structural polychromy with lofty towers and arcaded cloisters. When completed in 1870, the building cost approx. INR 94,222.

 It was funded by Commissioner of Allahabad, Mr. Mayne, and was opened as a memorial to Cuthbert Bensley Thornhill.