Who established the 'Mysore Oriental Library'?

The Correct answer is King Chamarajendra Wodeyar.

Key Points

• The Oriental Research Institute (ORI), University of Mysore:
  • The Oriental Research Institute (ORI), located in Mysuru, was established by Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar Bahaddur, the Maharaja of the erstwhile Mysore State. It is renowned for its extensive collection of rare palm-leaf and paper manuscripts.
  • Housed in the Jubilee Hall (built in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee), the ORI aims to collect, preserve, edit, and publish valuable Sanskrit and Kannada manuscripts.
  • The institute has collected thousands of manuscripts, with pundits specializing in Sanskrit, Kannada, English, and other languages tasked with identifying, classifying, and cataloging them.
  • Along with manuscripts, the ORI also amassed rare books and created a library focused on literature, culture, and related subjects. Classics in Sanskrit and Kannada were critically edited and published.
• Organization History:
  • Initially, the ORI was part of the Education Department of Mysore under the name "The Government Oriental Library."
  • In 1916, with the establishment of the University of Mysore, the ORI became part of the university.
  • The institute's name was changed to "The Oriental Research Institute" in 1946.
  • In 1966, Kannada manuscripts and books were transferred to the Institute of Kannada Studies at Manasagangothri Campus.
• The Oriental Research Institute (ORI) currently houses over 30,000 palm leaf and paper manuscripts, with a total collection exceeding 70,000 works in Sanskrit and Kannada. 
• Landmark Contributions:
  • Arthashastra
  • Sritattvanidhi
  • Scientific Works: Important works like Navarathnamani Mahatmya, Tantrasara Sangraha, and Vaidyashastradipika have been jointly published by ORI with Kannada and English translations