The library has traveled through very difficult conditions. The library is serving on the strength of royal patronage and public support. During this period, the fruit of the tireless efforts of respected Karve Guruji A. K. Waghmare, Shri Kachardasji Bakliwal, L. Sh. Nevasekar, Dr. Ganpatrao Vaidya, G. Chi. Seemant, Adv. Hanumantrao Vaishnav, Justice Balwantrao Ghate. J. P. Mule, Na. V. Deshpande, Ramanlal Bakliwal, Vijayendra Kabra, K. V. Bhagurkar, Pu. Ba. Joshi, J.A. S. Kuppuswami, Zulfekar Hussain, Bhausaheb Vaishampayan is the Balwant Library. In 1929, efforts were made to register the institution, while in 1930, efforts were started to have its own building. New initiatives were taken up with the help of Aurangabad Mill Clerks Co-operative Society and Nath Sansthan Gujarati Pathshala. The Women's Department was inaugurated by Nawab Mehndiyar Jung Bahadur, former Education Minister of the Nizam government.
The main purpose of establishing the library was to create awareness. It is a prestigious and renowned institution in the field of knowledge dissemination. Preserving a century-old legacy of ideological richness, the institution has changed at every stage and has implemented various initiatives and schemes for readers, knowledge seekers, and scholars, which has resulted in its continued existence as an institution flourishing with reader-lovers.
In 1963, the library was recognized as a district library. It also received grants, and the organization's work methods in the public library movement created many aspects that would be considered exemplary for many. The organization is vigilant in fulfilling its duty as a parent by implementing a chain scheme for the prisoners in the prisons and the elderly in the old age homes of Aurangabad district and by maintaining contact with such organizations for rural and urban areas. Understanding the social fabric, books were distributed at the city public library, Sangli, which was damaged by the flood.
Become a member and enjoy free access to our extensive book collections, reading rooms, and cultural events.
We house over 74,000 books including 28,000+ reference texts and 599 rare manuscripts, including the oldest Dnyaneshwari copy.
Library services are free to all, with special programs for children, senior citizens, students, and rural communities.
We continually expand and update our collection to support modern education, research, and exam preparation.
Recognized as a Grade A
Government-Aided District Library, it is located in Aurangpura, Aurangabad (431001), and
continues to thrive as a prestigious institution in the field of knowledge
dissemination. What began as a movement to awaken public consciousness has now
transformed into a cultural legacy, nurturing generations of readers, researchers, and
competitive exam aspirants.
Over the decades, the library has grown through the contributions of many visionaries,
including Karve Guruji, A.K. Waghmare, Kachardasji Bakliwal, Dr. Ganpatrao Vaidya, and
many more. Through persistent community engagement and support from state and local
bodies, Balwant Library has built a lasting presence.
Today, it serves the public with a rich collection of over 74,552 books, including
28,235 reference volumes and 599 rare manuscripts. Treasures such as the oldest
available version of the Dnyaneshwari and Dasopant’s Pasodi are preserved here.
The library is open 12 hours daily, including Sunday mornings, and offers special
reading rooms, children’s sections, seasonal literary programs, and book exhibitions. It
supports rural outreach through its chain library initiative and provides books to needy
libraries. Its low-cost study rooms benefit students preparing for university and
competitive exams.
Balwant Library remains a shining example of literary service and cultural contribution
to the city of Aurangabad and Maharashtra.
