The story of the Barton Library is not just about a building filled with books; it is a journey of ideas, vision, social reform, and the gradual awakening of a reading culture in the Kathiawad region. Its roots can be traced back to a much earlier and humbler beginning the establishment of the Chhagan Prasad Desai Library in Bhavnagar during the 19th century. What started as a small initiative to nurture reading habits eventually grew into a landmark institution that symbolized knowledge, learning, and intellectual development for generations.
About Barton Library, Bhavnagar, Gujarat
To understand the significance of the Chhagan Prasad Desai Library, it is important to imagine Bhavnagar in the mid 1800s. During this period, education was not widely accessible, and structured libraries were rare in most parts of India, especially in princely states like Kathiawad. The idea of a public reading space where books could be accessed freely or systematically was still emerging.
However, Bhavnagar stood slightly apart due to the progressive vision of its administrators and thinkers. There was a growing awareness that education and access to knowledge were essential for social progress. People were beginning to realize that literature, administrative knowledge, scientific understanding, and philosophical ideas could shape a stronger and more informed society.
It was in this environment that the foundation for organized libraries began to take shape.
Vision of Diwan Gaurishankar Oza
One of the most influential figures behind this transformation was late Diwan Gaurishankar Oza, a respected statesman and reformer. He understood that true development of society does not come only through governance and infrastructure but also through intellectual empowerment of its people.
In the year C.E. 1860, he took a pioneering step by establishing the “Shri Chhaganbhai Desai Library.” This initiative was not merely the creation of a book collection it was a carefully thought out effort to introduce the culture of reading and self education in Bhavnagar.
At a time when books were considered a luxury and education was limited to select groups, this library opened doors for scholars, students, administrators, and curious minds. It encouraged people to explore ideas beyond their immediate surroundings and develop a broader understanding of the world.
