History of Maulana Azad Central Library.
It all started in the year 1858, with the birth of Sarkar Jahan known better as Sultan Jahan, the elder and only surviving child of Nawab Begum Sultan shah jahan and General HH Nasir-ud-Daula. In 1868 she was announced heiress apparent to Bhopal Musnaid after the demise of her Grandmother Sikander begum and her mother’s succession to the throne. In 1901, sultan jahan succeeded her mother at death becoming Begum of Dar- ul- Iqbal- I- Bhopal.
An incredible reformer in the practice of her mother and grandmother, Sultan Jahan established a few significant educational foundations in Bhopal, establishing free and compulsory primary education in 1918. During her rule, she had a specific spotlight on public instruction, particularly female education. She fabricated numerous technical establishments and schools and expanded the quantity of qualified educators. From 1920 until her demise, she was the establishing Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. As of 2022, she is the only women to have served as Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University.
In addition to a reformer in the field of training, the Nawab Begum transformed tax collection, the military, police, the legal executive and the jail facilities, extended farming, and developed extensive irrigation system and public works in the state. Likewise, she set up an Executive and Legislative State Council in 1922 and started open elections for the municipalities.
In 1914, she was the President of the All-India Muslim Ladies' Association. Sultan Jahan's essential heritage, however, was in the field of public health , as she spearheaded inescapable immunization and inoculation programs and further developed the water supply and standards of hygiene and sanitation. She was a prolific writer and composed a few books on education, health and different themes, including Hidayat uz-Zaujan, Sabil ul-Jinan, Tandurusti (Health), Bachchon-ki-Parwarish, Hidayat Timardari, Maishat-o-Moashirat. Attributable to her various exercises, she was the beneficiary of various honors and awards.
The very idea of building the red stone structure came in 1911, when Begum was working towards women empowerment and promoting women primary education through Princess of Wales Club in Bhopal. Begum herself took the initiative to read the first paper to spark enthusiasm on the subjects of feminine interest. The magnificent building of red sand stone was originally intended for the Alexandra high school, but the idea was abandoned and the structure was named as King Edward Museum in the memory of late King Edward VII for whom the people of Bhopal had always entertained the deepest respect and affection. She always intended to establish a museum for the people of Bhopal for an up-to-date educational system that provides both instruction and intelligent amusement. Under the Leadership of Begum the plan to build the Museum was put to execution, the foundation work was carried out under the supervision of her eldest son, Nawab Nasrullah Khan, assisted by Maulavi Nasir-ud-din. Post-Independence, the museum was converted to a library in the year 1955, since then, the library has served the people who are curious to gain Knowledge.