House of Wisdom and Major Libraries Quiz

The House of Wisdom in Baghdad

• Founded during the Abbasid Caliphate's reign in Baghdad.
• Initially a private library of the Caliphs, later transitioned to a public institution.
• Housed works translated from Pahlavi, Syriac, Greek, and Sanskrit into Arabic.
• A significant center of learning during the Islamic Golden Age (a period of cultural and intellectual flourishing).
• Destroyed by the Mongols in the 1200s; its contents were thrown into the Tigris River.

Top 10 Largest Libraries in the World

• Library of Congress (USA): Largest globally by catalog size (over 160 million items) and budget (over US$600 million annually). Houses three buildings and holds significant historical documents, including a Gutenberg Bible.
• British Library (UK): Second largest, with over 150 million items, acquiring 3 million new items annually through legal deposit. Famous holdings include the Magna Carta and Beatles manuscripts.
• Library and Archives Canada: Holds over 54 million items, a relatively young library (established in 2004).
• New York Public Library (USA): Nearly 52 million items, serving 17 million patrons, participates in the Google Books Library Project.
• Russian State Library (Russia): Over 43 million items, founded in 1862 and reorganized by Lenin.
• National Library of France: Traces its origins to 1368.
• National Library of Russia: Over 36.5 million items, established in 1795 by Empress Catherine the Great.
• National Diet Library of Japan: About 35.6 million items, established in 1948. Includes significant Japanese political history documents.
• National Library of China: Over 33.78 million items, the largest in Asia; a legal depository since 1916.
• Danish Royal Library: Largest in Nordic countries, with a large collection of Dutch literature.

The House of Wisdom & its Destruction

• The House of Wisdom (Khizanat al-Hikma), a library in Baghdad, flourished during the Abbasid Caliphate's Islamic Golden Age (late 8th century).
• It housed ancient texts in various languages (Pahlavi, Syriac, Greek, Sanskrit), translated into Arabic.
• The Mongol invasions of the 1200s led to its destruction; the library's contents were thrown into the Tigris River, which reportedly ran black for six months.
• The destruction involved widespread looting, massacre, and the repurposing of book materials (e.g., leather covers into sandals).
• Historians claim the sheer volume of books created a temporary bridge across the river.

Top 10 Largest Libraries in the World

• Library of Congress (USA): Largest globally by catalog size and budget (160+ million items, >US$600 million annual budget). Houses three buildings and holds significant historical documents (e.g., Declaration of Independence draft, Gutenberg Bible).
• British Library (UK): Second largest, with over 150 million items. Serves as a legal deposit library, receiving all UK and Ireland publications. Holds notable artifacts such as the Magna Carta and Beatles manuscripts.
• Library and Archives Canada: Third largest, holding over 54 million items. Formed in 2004 by merging the National Archives and National Library.
• New York Public Library (USA): Holds nearly 52 million items and serves 17 million patrons. Participates in the Google Books Library Project.
• Russian State Library (Russia): Holds over 43 million items; founded in 1862 and reorganized by Lenin.
• National Library of France: Traces origins to 1368; current building inaugurated in 1996.
• National Library of Russia: Established in 1795 by Empress Catherine the Great; holds over 36.5 million items and has undertaken extensive digitization.
• National Diet Library of Japan: Holds about 35.6 million items, including extensive collections on Japanese and Chinese history.
• National Library of China: Largest library in Asia, boasting over 33.78 million items. A legal depository for Chinese publications since 1916.
• Danish Royal Library: The largest library in the Nordic countries, with a significant collection of Dutch literature.

The House of Wisdom

• The House of Wisdom (Khizanat-al-Hikma), a library in Baghdad during the Abbasid Caliphate, was a significant center of learning during the Islamic Golden Age.
• It housed ancient texts translated into Arabic from various languages including Greek, Syriac, Pahlavi, and Sanskrit.
• The Mongols' invasion of Baghdad in the 1200s led to the destruction of the library. Books were thrown into the Tigris River, reportedly creating a bridge of books.

Top 10 Largest Libraries in the World

• Library of Congress (USA): Largest library globally, holding over 160 million items, with a budget exceeding US$600 million annually. Houses in three buildings: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Madison Memorial Buildings. Its collection includes a draft of the Declaration of Independence and a Gutenberg Bible.
• British Library (UK): Second largest, containing over 150 million items. It's a legal deposit library, receiving a copy of every publication from the UK and Ireland (about 3 million new items yearly). Houses items such as the Magna Carta and Beatles manuscripts.
• Library and Archives Canada: Third largest, established in 2004, merging the National Archives and National Library of Canada. It has over 54 million items.
• New York Public Library (USA): Holds nearly 52 million items and serves 17 million patrons. Participates in the Google Books Library Project.
• Russian State Library (Russia): Contains over 43 million items, its shelves stretching over 275 kilometers. Founded in 1862 and reorganized under Lenin’s influence.
• National Library of France: Established its roots in 1368, with its current location in Paris opening in 1996.
• National Library of Russia: Established by Empress Catherine the Great in 1795. Holds exceeding 36.5 million items and started digitization efforts at the end of 20th century.
• National Diet Library of Japan: Founded in 1948. Contains about 35.6 million items and holds extensive collections of Japanese and Chinese historical documents. Has an online public access catalogue.
• National Library of China: Holds over 33.78 million items. Acts as a legal depository for domestic publications since 1916. Contains extensive collections of Chinese literature and historical documents.
• The Danish Royal Library: Largest library in Nordic countries and has vast collection of Dutch Literature (since 1482), harvest, and legal information (since 1600s).

Test your knowledge of the House of Wisdom in Baghdad and the top largest libraries in the world. Explore their historical significance, unique collections, and contributions to global culture and learning. This quiz highlights key facts and trivia about these important institutions.