So, if you are a die hard fan of books and wish to lay your hands on some digitized collections of Rare Books, here you go:
The Rare Book Society of India was the first of its kind when it was founded in October 2009. It is a virtual space for rare book collectors and history enthusiasts to read, discuss, rediscover and download lost books.Importantly, it aims to highlight the understanding that there is always more than one truth in history! Sourcing from digital libraries such as The Internet Archive, Google Books, Wikipedia and the online collections of various museums around the world, RBSI has curated these rare books and images, and presented them in a context that gives them relevance and shows each piece as a part of a grander whole.
Acquisition of rare publications, some over 200 years old, is a special function of the library; the collection number over 1,000 volumes. Kala Nidhi has acquired some important titles published in 18th & 19th centuries, most of which have been digitised.
Some of these books are illustrated with sketches, drawings, lithographs, etchings, wood cut etc. throwing clues on the art, architecture, and culture of the bygone era. A fascinating aspect is the collection of travel literature dating back to 18th and 19th century offering first-hand accounts of European’s understanding of the regions of India in terms of their commercial, colonial, and recreational interests.
The contributors of the publications were chiefly the members of British army and navy, surveyors, engineers, medical staff, travelers etc. The rich intellectual content of some of these books reveals to the readers the condition of the society when the country was passing through a transition phase as a result of cross cultural currents.
