Kaiser Library | Kathmandu

Information

Landmark: Kaiser Library
City: Kathmandu
Country: Nepal
Continent: Asia

Kaiser Library, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Kaiser Library, officially known as Keshar Pustakalaya, is a historic public library and museum located within the Keshar Mahal palace complex in central Kathmandu. Established as a private collection in 1907, it transitioned to a government-run institution in 1969 and remains one of Nepal’s most significant repositories of rare manuscripts and artifacts.

Visual Characteristics

The library is housed in a neoclassical palace featuring high-ceilinged rooms, Italian marble floors, and ornate wooden stairways. Its interior decor is characterized by a "museum-library" hybrid aesthetic, including taxidermied tiger heads, suits of armor, antique globes, and portraits of the Rana dynasty. Since the 2015 earthquake, much of the upper-floor grandeur has been restricted, with the collection currently consolidated in retrofitted ground-floor sections.

Location & Access Logistics

It is situated at the corner of Kantipath and Tridevi Marg, directly adjacent to the Garden of Dreams and the Narayanhiti Palace Museum. It is a 5-minute walk from the eastern edge of the Thamel district. Admission to the reading rooms is free for the public. It typically operates Sunday through Thursday (10:00–16:00) and Friday (10:00–15:00), remaining closed on Saturdays and public holidays.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The library was founded by Field Marshal Kaiser Shumsher Rana following a 1908 visit to England with his father, Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher. Inspired by British museums, he amassed a private collection of over 28,000 volumes. Upon his death in 1964, his family donated the palace and collection to the government. The site is ecologically connected to the adjacent Garden of Dreams, an Edwardian-style sanctuary that was originally part of the same estate.

Key Highlights & Activities

The library houses over 60,000 items, including rare manuscripts on Buddhism, Tantrism, and astrology. A primary highlight is the Sushruta Samhita, an 1,100-year-old palm-leaf manuscript on Ayurveda and surgery listed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. Visitors can use the reading rooms for research or view the curiosity cabinets containing Kaiser Shumsher's personal artifacts and hunting trophies.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Following extensive post-earthquake retrofitting completed by 2025, the library provides updated reading cubicles, charging ports for devices, and basic water and restroom facilities. 4G/5G cellular coverage is reliable, though on-site Wi-Fi may be inconsistent. Storage lockers are provided for bags and personal belongings at the entrance.

Best Time to Visit

Morning hours (10:00–11:30) are recommended to secure seating in the reading rooms, which can become crowded with students and researchers. For photography of the palace exterior and the adjacent Garden of Dreams, the late afternoon provides optimal light. The library is a valuable retreat during the monsoon season (June–August) as an indoor cultural site.

Facts & Legends

The library has hosted notable historical figures, including Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and renowned orientalist Sylvain Lévi. A logistical fact: while the library is open for public reading, books from the historic "Kaiser Collection" are for reference only and cannot be checked out; only newer additions to the general collection are available for borrowing by registered members.