Dara Shikoh's Library

The more well known and revered son of emperor Shahjahan, Dara Shikoh was known to have keen intellectual pursuits. The library established by him in the year 1637, stands in the grounds of the Ambedkar University to this day, a testimony for this interest, although few of the prince's original works are accessible. Dara Shikoh was involved in the translation of the Upanishads and had already completed the translation of 50 Upanishads from Sanskrit to Persian in a bid to bring these ancient scriptures within the reach of Persian scholars. A lot of his own texts reflect a confluence of both Sufi and Vedantic schools of thought.

The library building is a short drive into the Ambedkar University campus, accessible on weekends as well. In the British period, the building served as the residence of the Mughal Viceroy of Punjab, Ali Mardan Singh. Thereafter, the Government College, the District School and the Municipal Board School operated from these premises.
The building has a huge lawn on the back side of the premises that probably served as a play area for the children at that time.

Today, the Department of Archaeology of Ambedkar University operates from here.