Delhi Libraries/ Academic Bookshops?

Ariel

Hello!

I have searched the threads, and while there is a great deal on bookshops, they mostly seem to cater to popular fiction, and I was hoping someone would have some insider knowledge on where I could find academic books.

I am headed to India in a few weeks and will be passing through New Delhi before going up to the mountains. I was recently accepted to present at a conference in New Delhi in January so I will be gathering research materials in a few weeks and then writing the paper over the next few months. I don't expect there to be many facilities in the mountains, so I need to stock up while I am in Delhi.

I am looking for a number of books, mostly American or British publishers (university presses) but by Indian scholars and dealing with Indian themes (post-colonialism, nation-building, terrorism, etc). I would like to either buy them (provided the prices aren't outlandish) or make photocopies at a library.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I could always order the books from America (I am in Europe) but it is very expensive, and can take weeks... and I'm running out of time.

Thank you!

shashank.aggarwal

There is British Council Library near Connaught Place.

Delhi has a chain of Libraries call Delhi Public library, and they have huge collection, but not sure of they will fit your requirement OR you will fit theirs...try this http://www.dpl.gov.in/

Every Sunday, very early in the morning like 5:30 AM, visit Darya Ganj near Jama Masjid. There you will see probably the biggest Flea market of the used books in the world.

Even though there would be more routine books, like books linked to curriculum of schools & universities, fiction, however people have known to get some of the rarest classics at the price of junk from that place..

its a delight for every book lover and should be visited at least once..

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Ariel

Hi Shashank,

Thanks for replying. So fast, too!

Well, it looks like you have to reside in Delhi to be a member of the library. I wrote an email to one of the universities asking if I could use their facilities. We'll see what they say.

I'd like to visit the flea markets, but it would just be for pleasure finds. I am looking for specific books for my bibliography, so a flea market isn't the most practical source!

shashank.aggarwal

I totally understand your point here...

what about the British council library ??

Secondly in DPL, even though you cannot become a member, but I would advice you check if they would allow you as a walk-in..I mean they wont need to issue the books to you, however you can go in there and read them and if possible xerox them ..

Mikki

I suggest you try Full Circle and Faqir Chand at Khan Market. They have the sort of thing you're looking for. Full Circle has a website: www.atfullcircle.com and an e-mail address: fullcircle@vsnl.com

The second-hand bookfair in Old Delhi would be very time-consuming for you. I know because I've often looked for things there. Your best bet is Khan Market. The people in the two bookstores I mentioned really know books and can tell you more if they don't have what you want (but for sure they'll have PLENTY that would interest you).

karnail

I think the biggest book store in Delhi will be the "Sunday bazar in Darya Ganj"

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shashank.aggarwal

Another option, but I am not sure how much it would suit you...

There is market by name of Nai Sarak (New Road) in the lanes behind Jama Masjid. Over there they sell all types of books...and don't go by the size of shops...

Smallest of shops stock rarest of books...its a wholesale market and you easily get discounts 20-40 % on the list price.

Secondly you can also find second hand books there and even if you purchase new, you would be able to return the books to the shops from where you purchased and would be able to get part of the money refunded..generally 25-50% depending on the condition...

m.bhattacharya

If you are planning to buy text books or other non fiction books try Delhi Book Store and certain other book shops in Nai Sarak, Chandni Chowk near the Red Fort. Any cycle rickshaw will take you there if they still ply.

Milan

m.bhattacharya

http://www.delhibookstore.com/about-us.html

There are many other book stores in Nai Sarak.

Milan

Aishah

There is a book store in Connaught Place which stocks books on all sorts of subjects - can't think of the name but if you find Barista's coffee shop and keep walking around the circle towards Barhkamba Road it is very nearby! I have bought books on computer
stuff, cooking books, and also there are educational books on many subjects there.

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Ariel

Thank you everyone!

I am looking up the site to the Delhi Book Store.

I will definitely check out these book markets. Like I said, maybe it's a bit too stressful to go there looking for a list of specific books, so I will do the flea markets in conjunction with some other places.

I wrote to the British Council Library and a temporary membership is possible.

I think, with a combination of library, book market, and bookstore, I should be able to find just about everything I need.

You guys are great! If anyone has any other suggestions that no one has mentioned yet, I would be very grateful as well. I am going to compile a list of places to hit and then just reserve a couple of days to do nothing but hoarding books.

anonymous

Try E.D. Galgotia & Sons, 17B Connaught Place, New Delhi. They have a large and superb selection of university textbooks.

You'll be delighted at the prices for textbooks in India. Many US and UK publishers have low-price international editions which are restricted to sale in India and other developing countries. I bought a math textbook, new, for the equivalent of five dollars and in the USA the same book costs over a hundred.

Also, don't hesitate to ask for a discount. In my experience usually 10% is given with no questions asked and no special ID is required. This is true at academic bookshops all over India.

PortieOwner

Yes! This is my recomendation too. They have other stores but I don't think any are as big as the CP location. My wife bought a big pile of Indian legal studies books from them on the last trip. Techsons is another chain which will have some Indian history and Military history books.

One last bit of advice--consider calling them before you come to India and let them know if there are any specific books you want ordered. They can and do order books for people.

Ariel

That sounds great. Five dollars for a textbook? Wow.

Do they only have textbooks, or smaller anthology-type publications?

edwardseco

Check out Prabhu's Bookstore now located in Delhi proper I think on ring road. At one time this was the scholars' haven. if you do Sanscrit and such there is another..