Libraries in India
During its development, precisely in the 6th century BC, libraries in India appeared in the city of Taxila. This library is known as the Taxila Library and stores various types of literature, such as philosophical, literary and scientific texts.
The Taxila Library building is claimed to be one of the oldest libraries in Asia found in the city of Taxila, India. The Taxila Library was built in the 6th century BC, this library was one of the largest and most important libraries of its time.
The Taxila Library was built by King Ashoka and used as a public library for the people of Taxila. It stores various types of literature, such as philosophical, literary and scientific texts. Some of the texts housed in this library are written in Sanskrit, Prakrit and Pali.
The Taxila Library is also used as a place of study for students studying at Taxila University. This university was known as one of the largest and most important universities of its time and offered various types of studies, such as philosophy, literature, science, and martial arts.
Libraries in China
Libraries in China have developed since ancient times. In the 7th century, China’s first library appeared in the city of Chang’an. This library was known as the Chang’an Imperial Library and housed various types of literature, such as historical, literary, and scientific texts.
During the Han dynasty, libraries in China continued to develop and became one of the largest libraries in the world at that time. In the 2nd century, a library in China was built in the city of Luoyang and housed more than 100,000 books.
Then in the 7th century, a library in China was built in the city of Nanking and stored more than 400,000 books. In the 8th century, a library in China was built in the city of Kaifeng and housed more than 500,000 books.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, libraries in China continued to develop and housed various types of literature important to Chinese culture and history. In the 19th century, a library in China was built in the city of Beijing and stored more than 1 million books.
Libraries in Japan
Libraries in Japan have existed since the 8th century. At that time, the first library in Japan appeared in the city of Nara and was known as the Todai-ji Library. This library stores various types of literature, such as religious texts, literature and science.
Over time, libraries in Japan continue to develop and store various types of literature that are important to the country’s culture and history. Currently, libraries in Japan have transformed into modern libraries that provide various facilities and services for their visitors.
Libraries in Japan are managed by local governments, universities, and private organizations.
Libraries in Indonesia
The history of libraries in Indonesia is still relatively young when compared to European and Arab countries. If we take the opinion that the history of libraries is marked by the introduction of writing, then the history of libraries in Indonesia can begin in the 400s, namely when a stone phallus with Pallawa writing was discovered from the Kutai Kingdom period .
Traveler Fa-Hsien from 414 AD stated that in the Ye-po-ti kingdom, which was actually the Tarumanegara kingdom, there were many Brahmins who of course needed religious books or manuscripts which might be kept in the priest’s residence.
Fa Hsien or Fa Hien, also written Faxian, was a Chinese monk and explorer from the 5th century AD. He was one of several people who reported the existence of several countries in the early Hindu-Buddhist period in the archipelago.
In around 695 AD, in the capital of the Srivijaya Kingdom, more than 1000 monks lived with religious duties and studied Buddhism through various books which were of course kept in various places. On the island of Java, the history of the library began during the Mataram Kingdom. This is because in this kingdom the court poets began to be known who wrote various literary works. These works include Sang Hyang Kamahayanikan which contains descriptions of Mahayana Buddhism.
Over the centuries, libraries in Asia have continued to develop and store various types of literature that are important to the culture and history of countries in Asia. Currently, libraries in Asia have transformed into modern libraries that provide various facilities and services for their visitors.