[1] It contains a collection of manuscripts, historical documents, specimens of Islamic calligraphy, miniature paintings, astronomical instruments and illustrated works in Arabic and Persian.

Nawab Faizullah Khan, who ruled Rampur from 1774 to 1794, established the library from his personal collection of ancient manuscripts and miniature specimens of Islamic calligraphy in 1774.

[4] He also contracted his Chief Engineer W.C. Wright to create a palace named Hamid Manzil[5] in the early 20th century, where he held court.

[citation needed] After Rampur State joined the Union of India, in 1949 the Library was controlled by the management of a Trust which was created on 6 August 1951 by Raza Ali Khan Bahadur.

[6] When the library was taken over by the Central Government, Nawab Syed Murtaza Ali Khan was nominated the vice-chairman of the newly created Board for life under sub-section 5 (1) of the Act.