The Book Bridge Project is a citywide movement to reconnect Mumbai’s communities with their historic libraries, beginning with the iconic Asiatic Library.
Our mission is to bridge the past and present by restoring manuscripts, reopening reading rooms, and renewing access to knowledge. At a time when quiet, communal spaces for reflection are disappearing, this project invites all Mumbaikars to rediscover the library as a shared resource at the heart of the city.
Led by Ayraah Lodha, a 17-year-old student at the American School of Bombay, the initiative invites citizens, donors, students, and culture lovers to protect Mumbai’s literary soul – one book, one room, one memory at a time
The Book Bridge Project is a citywide movement to reconnect Mumbai’s communities with their historic libraries, beginning with the iconic Asiatic Library.
Our mission is to bridge the past and present by restoring manuscripts, reopening reading rooms, and renewing access to knowledge. At a time when quiet, communal spaces for reflection are disappearing, this project invites all Mumbaikars to rediscover the library as a shared resource at the heart of the city.
Led by Ayraah Lodha, a 17-year-old student at the American School of Bombay, the initiative invites citizens, donors, students, and culture lovers to protect Mumbai’s literary soul – one book, one room, one memory at a time
Since 1833, the Asiatic Society of Mumbai has stood with quiet grandeur at Horniman Circle, serving as a beacon of intellectual and cultural heritage. Housing over 250,000 books and manuscripts – including a rare 14th-century edition of Dante’s Divine Comedy and precious Persian texts from the Mughal era – its library is both a sanctuary of the past and a resource for the future.
But over time, a quiet disconnect has grown. Fewer people visit, and many are unaware of the treasures that lie within. The Book Bridge Project begins here, with a bold mission to restore the library, revive public engagement, and reimagine the Asiatic Society for a new generation of thinkers, readers, and dreamers.
The Asiatic Society of Mumbai is home to a distinguished library of over 250,000 books. While most of the volumes are in English, the collection also includes works in Sanskrit and several ancient and modern Indian languages, along with European languages such as Greek, Latin, Italian, German, and French.
The library’s holdings span a wide range of disciplines – including Indology, Oriental studies, biography, genealogy, politics, economics, science, management, travel writing, and fiction. Around 15,000 of these volumes have been identified as rare and valuable, including first editions and antiquarian works in both Indian and European languages.
The Society continues to expand its holdings each year, purchasing new titles under an allocated annual budget. Its publications and journals are exchanged with those of other leading institutions around the world.
The Society’s manuscript collection includes over 3,000 items in Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Prakrit, originating from across India and Nepal. While most manuscripts are written on paper, some are preserved on palm leaf. The themes span a wide range – linguistics, medicine, astronomy, Jain and Brahmanical literature, and Buddhist texts. Many manuscripts feature exquisite calligraphy and miniature paintings.
Notable examples include:
The most recent addition is the complete literary archive of Pu La Deshpande, donated by the author himself.
The Society maintains a remarkable archive of newspapers and periodicals, many dating back over a century – and some nearly two. These include prominent publications in English, Indian, and European languages, such as:
Beyond books and manuscripts, the Society also curates a numismatic collection of over 12,000 coins. This includes contributions from the Government as well as the private collection of Sir William Frere, donated by Sir Cowasji Jehangir.
Highlights include:
The entire collection has been professionally photographed by the Institute of Indian Numismatic Studies, Nashik.
The Society also preserves significant artefacts, such as the Sopara relics.
Recent efforts have been made to phase in the digitization of the Society’s holdings and operations. The backlog of older books is being added to an electronic catalog, which will soon allow full access. The online database enables members to conduct both basic and advanced searches, manage book checkouts and returns, and track deposits and claims.
A few notable antique books in the collection include:
Every contribution you make directly fuels a part of the restoration effort. Here’s how your support can help us:
| Tier | Contribution Range (₹) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Book Friend | ₹1,000 - ₹3,000 | General support for the library |
| Knowledge Patron | ₹5,000 - ₹10,000 | General support for the library |
| Manuscript Guardian | ₹25,000 - ₹50,000 | Restoration of an individual rare book |
| Heritage Steward | ₹1,00,000 - ₹5,00,000 | Full restoration and digitization of a rare manuscript or themed book set |
| Legacy Conservator | ₹10,00,000+ | Endowment for conservation of a full collection or category (e.g., Ancient Math Texts) |
As The Book Bridge Project evolves, here’s what to look forward to:
[TO BE ANNOUNCED]
These gatherings mark the revival of something deeper – a movement to make space for books, thoughtfulness, and community in the city once again.
Copyright 2025 – The Book Bridge Project