Introduction

Man is born poet. To express himself has been an innate and intrinsic urge with him. Initially he might have responded to the ‘sounds of natural forces; birds and animals; fear and joy through shrieks, cries and guffaws.’ The pitch and quality of these initial expressions might have ‘by degrees invented words and language.’ When did first word tumble in the world is a question that would continue to engage the attention of scientists in future also.   

No date or period can be fixed with certainty about the ‘beginning of speech and script.’ Many theories have been propounded about the birth of language, some hold the view that the birth has been accidental, some believe that “God gave man language just as he gave him reason.”[1] Some believe, “speech originated through the imitation of common sounds and writing began with the imitation of common objects.”[2] 

Getting embroiled in theories about the birth of language would not be tune with the scope of this seminar. But it would not be out of context to dwell upon the subject a bit in detail. Broadly the birth and development of writing has been divided in three stages.

• Iconographic (Idol worship) or Pictographic in which pictures would carry sense of the object. If the picture of ‘Sun’ is drawn, it would only mean Sun.
• Hieroglyphic or Ideographic in which the picture would carry some meaning behind it. If the Sun were drawn it would mean ‘day’, light or heat. There is one more type Logographic (Greek: Logos= Word; Graphic= to write that is one sign word. Chinese is purely logographic.
• Phonetic writing in which sound was produced in the symbol. This was done through acrophony system. In this part of the picture is taken to which the first sound of the word – that stands for the picture is assigned, as such, the head of the head the heard of the OX was assigned the sound of A being sound of Akkadian word “Alpu” (Aleph). This phonetic system has two divisions:

1. Syllabic (Sign with two sounds consonants plus vowels)
2. Alphabetic (Sign with one sound only)[3]

       BIRTH OF BOOK

Human imagination fails –what word human being might have uttered first. It could be about basic necessity – food, so believe majority of anthropologist. It could about sex, so believe psycho-analysts. It could be about the Creator, so believe religious scholars.  Litterateurs connect it to responding to nature and beauty..   The birth of speech is also seen connected to dancing, which is seen as the ‘earliest of the arts’. In the words of John Drinkwater, “Man danced for joy round his primitive camp-fire after the defeat and slaughter of his enemy. He yelled and shouted as he danced, and gradually the yells and shouts became coherent and caught the measure of the dance, and thus the first war-song was sung.”[4]

Words came first and then letters. Many historians see the birth of writing as ‘compulsion’ a ‘necessity’ for man.    It was necessity to ‘record what he did not want to forget’, ‘to communicate with persons that were a distance away’ and ‘to protect one’s property by marking tools, cattle and so on in distinctive manner.’ It was these urges that gave birth to different system of writing. Sumerians of Mesopotamia ‘ started their writing with lines, scratching on hard clay tablets for depicting Gods and used same system for depicting things of daily use as well. Such diagrams became conventional and were employed for writing about 3200 B.C., the old Babylonian engraved on rock’[5], it was followed by   inscription on baked bricks[6].   “The Greeks used papyrus for recording their thoughts. Parchment or the skin of the goat was also used. Vellum or the skin of lamb or kid was used for expensive writing, while for message and notes the Greeks used wax coated tablets.”[7] The Romans used papyrus, parchment, vellum and wooden tablets coated with wax. “The Chinese, too, had developed a system of writing which comprised pictograms and ideograms.”[8] Scribbling    might have passed through many other stages till assumed the modern shape of writing.

. The birth of book can be traced to the ‘clay books’ discovered by Henry Layards in Chaldes. One of them in British Museum is an account of flood. “ It was inscribed in 4000 B.C., and there is reason to believe that Hebrews founded the story of Floods in the book of Genesis on Chaldean narrative written thousands of years before”[9]

The engagement of human mind with his surroundings gave birth to myths. These myths travelled from generation to generation and formed the ‘basis of literature’ and found place in ‘ancient books’.  The mists of history no doubt shut out many an important milestone in the growth of development but there is amply transparent in the spread of religious books have played most important role. Every religion has it sacred book. Many a religious books are ‘ a collection of hymns, legends, theological speculation, and direction for ceremonial rites.’ The Buddhist scriptures- ‘Pitkas contain ‘various exposition and regulations for the discipline of Buddha’s followers, as well as psalms and hymns. The books of Confucius played catalytic role in changing the ‘morals and religious standards of China.’ “The wisdom of Confucius is contained in five books: The book of History, The book of Change, The book of Poetry’, The Book of Rites and Annals of Spring and Autumn.”[10] The Book of Zoroaster – Zend Avesta, is the sacred book of Parsees; it contains prayers and instructions for the people professing this faith. There is hardly any great religion that does not have a sacred book. The Holy Quran revolutionized the world. It transformed the society- not only the Arbian society- which before the advent of Islam was caught up in morass of ignorance and barbarianism but entire world. In the words of Emmuanuel Deutsch, “ By the aid of the Quran the Arabs conquered a world greater than that of Alexander the Great, greater than that of Rome, and in as many as tens of years as the latter had wanted hundreds to accomplish her conquests; by the aid of which they, alone of all the Semites, came to Europe as Kings, whither Phoencian had come as tradesmen, and the Jews as fugitives or captives. They came up to Europe to hold the light to humanity, they alone, while darkness lay around, to raise up the wisdom and knowledge of Hellas (Greece) from the dead, to teach philosophy, medicine astronomy and the golden art of song to the West as well as to the East, to stand at cradle of modern science, and to cause us late epigone for ever to weep over the day when Granda fell.”[11] The Bible playe – the Vedas Great books tame human mind and a ‘tamed mind is the bringer of bliss’

BIRTH OF LIBRARY

Encyclopaedia Britannica describes library as: Collection of books used for reading or study, or the building or room in which such a collection is kept. The word derives from the Latin liber, “a book,” whereas a Latinized Greek word, bibliotheca, is the origin of the word for library in German, Russian, and the Roman languages. Religions have played tremendous role in the setting up of Libraries. In ancient Egypt libraries were established inside temples. In these ‘temple libraries  priest used to prepare copies.’ “King Ramesses II founded a library at Thebes in about 1250 B.C. This library is believed to have 20, 000 books.”[12] “The first Public Library was established in Greece in 330 B.C.”[13] During the period of Alexandra the Great a large number of Libraries were established in Greece. In these libraries, thousands of rolls were kept. The preservation and dissemination of information further progressed during the hay days of Romans. “It is believed that twenty eight public libraries flourished in Rome in the 2^nd century.”[14]

Islam attached great importance to learning. In the history, growth and spread of education   the advent of Islam is seen as an important watershed.  The Islamic history is brimful with facts about the importance attached to learning and establishment of libraries. The Muslim rulers established centers of learning in all their territories..  “ It had become a fashion for rulers and wealthy nobles to become patrons of learning.”[15] Majority of Muslim exhibited lot of enthusiasm to establish libraries in their kingdoms and “librarians held an important and responsible position in life and therefore men of high learning and ability were appointed as heads of libraries. The great philosopher Ibn Sina was in charge of the library at Samaind king. The historian and philosopher Ibne-e-Maskuvaih was Librarian at Ray, founded by Vazir Fazl, son of Amid, and Ashabushte was librarian of Fatmid Khalif Al Aziz.” [16]

India, one of the oldest civilizations in the world has been centre of higher learning from times immemorial. The concept of libraries in this land of great traditions and culture is traced to 3000 B.C. “These libraries were called ‘Pustakalays’ and collection of these libraries consisted of inscribed cylinder seals and tablets.”[17] “During the Vedic period (2500-500 B.C) the educational system was spread through Gurukuls. The Gurukuls had the libraries where the books were kept for the students to read.”[18] During the Buddhist period  ‘the Sanghas and Mathas were established. These had a responsibility to collect book material and make copies.’[19] During this period the main centres of learning were Takshila, Nalanda, Odantipur, Vallabhi andVikramshila and these centres had big libraries. In 12^th century paper came to be used writing material and this gave great fillip to book production. In Indian history it was the Muslim period. “During the Muslim period the growth and development of Libraries received considerable encouragement. The Muslim rulers were great lovers of books and some of them even owned private collections.”[20] The library culture in India started blooming fully in 19^th century.  Many important libraries like Calcutta Public Library (1835), Allahabad Public Library (1884) and  Khuda Baksh Library Patna were established 1891) .

With British sailing across the Indian Ocean lock, stock and barrel, the library culture in India received further boost. Libraries were recognized as temples of modern India. Scores of libraries were established all over India. Library Science and Education was introduced almost all over the country and library science literature was profusely published.

Library Movement in Kashmir

Kashmir was a great centre of learning. Students from South and Central India and scholars from Central Asia trickled their way to this Elysian land to learn in the great universities. “The intellectual labour of the Kashmiri thinkers of the early age was not confined to the spheres of philosophy and religion. They wrote on many other subjects” [21]

Islam arrived in Kashmir through Central Asia. It brought many a Central Asian influences with it which changed the entire spectrum of this land. It was under these Central Asian influences coupled with the ancient traditions of this   land became a seat of great learning during the Muslim period. It became a focal point in the South-Asian region. In fact “Islam inaugurated a reign of intellectual liberty, for strong injunction of the Prophet that ‘the acquisition of knowledge is incumbent on every Muslim”[22]  Many an important centres of learning were established during the Muslim period. Sultan Sikandar (1393-1417), “attracted learned men from Iraq and Khorasan to his court in such numbers that it became example for courts of other provinces.”[23]  He  built a ‘college near Jamia Masjid’.  His illustrious son Sultan Zain-ul-Abidan ‘was a great lover of books’  He procured books and manuscripts not only in his kingdom but “ he sent his agents  to India, Persia, Iraq and Turkistan to purchase them. In case their owners refused to sell them his instructions were to secure their transcribed copies.”[24] It was during his time that many an important Sanskrit works were translated into Persian and Persian into Sanskrit. Sultan Hussain Shah also founded a college, Dar-u-Shifa and was ‘constructed on the northern corner of  Koh-i-Maran  near Khanqah-i-Kubravi.” “A library and hostel was also attached to the college.”[25]  During the Mughal period also many an important schools, colleges and libraries were established all over Kashmir. During the reign of Shah Jehan “ Madarassa-I-Khawjagan was established at Khawaja Bazar. The ruins at Pari-Mahal stand out as testimonials for the patronage shown by Mughals towards the centres of learning.  Notwithstanding the Mughal period followed by one after another dark period the literary pursuits of the people of this land continued unabated. An important milestone of the Dogra rule has been establishment of S.P. S. Library in 1896. After the end of feudal rule in the State the library culture in the State received further boost and a full-fledged Department of Libraries was established.

The state of Jammu and Kashmir is proud of having one of the richest treasures of manuscripts. The Department library is also custodian of 5824 rare manuscripts. Some of the Sanskrit manuscripts are the oldest, they include     . We are also proud of some rare Arabic and Persian manuscripts which include  Quraba Din written by Tahir bin Abrham on medicine in 730 Arabic, Kanzul Jawahir (Dictionary) by Hazrat Sheikh Yaqoob Sarafi 1565 A.D, Tarkihi Kashmir by Syed  Ali in Persian written during the reign Yousuf Shah Chak, Mahabarta translated by birbal kaul in Persian, an excellent piece in calligraphy and Tarkihi Nadri by Mohammad Mahdi Khan Ustra Badi written in 1171 contains pen portraits of the King.

This rich collection of manuscripts is a result of door to door campaign launched all over Kashmir by the functionaries of the library department after mid-fifties. This campaign continued till mid seventies and it was perhaps for paucity of funds that the drive for purchase of manuscripts was stopped.

LIBRARY AS INSTITUTION

Libraries are not just storehouses of books but important social institutions. As very aptly stated by J.H. Shera libraries are “a product of cultural maturation”.[26] They are ‘roots and fruits of civilization.’ It has been hailed as an ‘organ of social democracy and an instrument of personal realization’. Libraries have a very vital role in strengthening of democracy. As rightly realized by Unesco, “without the support of the public library there can be no true democracy, no freedom of mind or body.’[27]

Libraries have played key role in freedom movements. Setting up of public libraries and reading rooms were seen as centres for spreading awareness and reinforcing the spirit of freedom in people. “The library movement in India was linked with freedom movement and its annual seminars were organized with the National Congress meetings.”[28]  The movement for reassertion in Jammu and Kashmir also started from a reading room. “By 1930 Kashmir had seen the emergence of a good number of young Muslims who had received higher education at various universities. They had acquainted themselves with the political movement of the Indian Sub-Continent. – On their return they started a Reading Room near Fateh Kadal in Srinagar, were most of them used to meet and discuss the current topics for the day.”[29] “ A sum of Rs.82 was raised by contribution to meet the cost of newspapers. Encouraged by the response of educated Muslims the reading room was given the regular shape of an organization.. the reading room party then established contacts with Muslim newspapers at Lahore.”[30] It was this reading room party that became forerunner of the Muslim Conference and then National Conference.

The libraries have not only played role in political awakening but they have played tremendous role in bringing about social awareness.

Libraries help in moulding human thinking, in shaping the intellect and in steering him towards progress and development. ‘It is belief in power of books as deterrent from vice and source of education and culture that constitutes bedrock of American public libraries.’  There can be no denying that books and Libraries have played most important role in bringing about political and awakening amongst the common.

Future of Libraries

The concept of libraries underwent a sea change after the advancement in electronic and computer sciences.  The advancement of electronics, births of Internet and electronic library have put a question mark on books and traditional libraries.  The advancement has overawed scholars and academicians connected with the library sciences. Some see books and libraries in peril. Some in their enthusiasm see them vanishing. But the question arises are the traditional books and libraries on the path of extinction. True computers and communication networks have been agents of change and they propelled majority of traditional institutions, products and services toward   more digital virtual environment. As aptly stated by a Swedish Professor Velimir Srica , “Information organizations and libraries are in the core of the general trend, and, among other changes, we are witnessing a rapid transition of a traditional toward a digital library.”

Much before we ponder over the future of traditional libraries there is need to understand the meaning of e-library.  In broader terms electronic library means ‘a collection of networked digital information resources and associated technical and managerial infrastructure. The electronic library is assumed to include data and metadata in various formats which are created   or assembled in order to provide a service to end users.”[31]  In fact different people have used different phrases for defining the digital or e-libraries. Clifford Lynch defined digital library as an “electronic information access system that offers the user a coherent view of an organized, selected, and managed body of information”[32]. Paul Duguid (Report of the Santa Fe Planning Workshop on Distributed Knowledge Work Environments) describes a digital library as “an environment to bring together collections, services, and people in support of the full life cycle of creation, dissemination, use, and preservation of data, information and knowledge.”

It cannot be denied that the traditional libraries have been temples of knowledge from times immemorial; they have been facilitators of change, catalyst and promoters in the transformation of society. They have been repository of ancient wisdom, sources of religious beliefs and part of our heritages but at the same digital libraries is the future. It is a revolution that cannot be halted. The digital library of future as seen by Professor velemir Sirca of California, “will become a plug-in virtual, truly multicultural, content-based, just-in-time knowledge providing amusement park.” [33] But this transition from the past to future, from traditional to modern, from physical access to virtual access, from document based (mono-media) to content based multi-media is important. Digitalization is moving from bullock cart to space-craft. For soft-landing  in the new era the Librarians will have to work out strategies to dove-tail the traditional and digital libraries. There is no denying in the world of digitization we are far behind, but change is inevitable and we need to get ready for this change.