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M. J. Library
Sheth Maneklal Jethabhai Pustakalaya
23°01′24″N 72°34′16″E / 23.023312°N 72.571188°E / 23.023312; 72.571188
Location	Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Type	Public library
Established	15 April 1938; 86 years ago (1938-04-15)
Architect(s)	Claude Batley
Service area	Ahmedabad
Other information
Website	www.mjlibrary.in

M. J. Library or Sheth Maneklal Jethabhai Pustakalaya is a public library in Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad, India.

History

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

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

Architecture

The architectural design of library was done by Claude Batley. It is built in Rajputana Colonial architecture style.

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.

See also

• Ahmedabad Town Hall
• Vijali Ghar

References

1. "Why the 80-Year-Old MJ Library Is Still the Favourite Library of Many Amdavadis". Creative Yatra. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
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. ^ Hemington, James (14 August 2014). "Iconic MJ Library to reopen soon". Ahmedabad Mirror. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
5. ^ Williamson, Daniel (2016). "Modern Architecture and Capitalist Patronage in Ahmedabad, India 1947-1969". ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. New York University. pp. 288–291. Retrieved 22 May 2020 – via ProQuest.
6. Pandya, Yatin (7 January 2013). "Ahmedabad: Where masters crafted their dreams". DNA India. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
7. "About Us". Retrieved 18 April 2021.

External links

• Digital Collection of M. J. Library at Gandhi Heritage Portal

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• 1938 establishments in India
• Buildings and structures in Ahmedabad
• British colonial architecture in India
• Libraries in Gujarat
• 20th-century architecture in India
• Libraries established in 1938
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