Mahatma Gandhi proposed to construct a public library by the collection of books he had at Sabarmati Ashram.

Gandhi donated approx 7,000[1]-15,000[2] books to start this library.

[4] The architectural design of library was done by Claude Batley.

[7] The entrance area is octagonal space with a dome on top of it.

The building is ornamented with chhajjas, brackets and jalis which Batley considered "practical climatic essentials" and rooted in the traditional Indian architecture.