Created by Nizil Shah
Last edited June 25, 2021


M. J. Library
Sheth Maneklal Jethabhai Pustakalaya
CountryIndia
TypePublic library
Established15 April 1938; 88 years ago (1938-04-15)
ArchitectClaude Batley
LocationAhmedabad, Gujarat
Service areaAhmedabad
Coordinates23°01′24″N 72°34′16″E / 23.023312°N 72.571188°E / 23.023312; 72.571188
Collection
Other information
Websitewww.mjlibrary.in
Map
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M. J. Library or Sheth Maneklal Jethabhai Pustakalaya is a public library in Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad, India.

History[edit | edit source]

Mahatma Gandhi proposed to construct a public library by the collection of books he had at Sabarmati Ashram. Gandhi donated approx 7,000[1]-15,000[2] books to start this library.[3][4]

It was named after Maneklal Jethabhai; father of Rasiklal Maneklal, who donated to construct this library.[4] It was inaugurated by Vallabhbhai Patel on 15 April 1938.[4]

Architecture[edit | edit source]

The architectural design of library was done by Claude Batley.[5][6] It is built in Rajputana Colonial architecture style.[7]

The entrance area is octagonal space with a dome on top of it. The building is ornamented with chhajjas, brackets and jalis which Batley considered "practical climatic essentials" and rooted in the traditional Indian architecture.[5]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Why the 80-Year-Old MJ Library Is Still the Favourite Library of Many Amdavadis". Creative Yatra. Retrieved 2020-05-22.
  2. ↑ A Comprehensive, Annotated Bibliography on Mahatma Gandhi: Biographies, Works by Gandhi, and Bibliographical Sources, Volumes 1-2. Greenwood Publishing Group. 1995. pp. 16, Acknowledgment. ISBN 9780313253379.
  3. ↑ The Pacifist Impulse in Historical Perspective. University of Toronto Press 1996. 1996. p. 275. ISBN 9780802007773.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Hemington, James (August 14, 2014). "Iconic MJ Library to reopen soon". Ahmedabad Mirror. Retrieved 2020-05-22.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Williamson, Daniel (2016). "Modern Architecture and Capitalist Patronage in Ahmedabad, India 1947-1969". ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. New York University. pp. 288–291. Retrieved 2020-05-22 – via ProQuest.
  6. ↑ Pandya, Yatin (2013-01-07). "Ahmedabad: Where masters crafted their dreams". DNA India. Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  7. ↑ "About Us". Retrieved 2021-04-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

External links[edit | edit source]