The exhibited documents showed that the Nawab of Rampur had provided protection and patronage to the poets from Lucknow and Delhi, during the First War of Independence, after the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, was captured and exiled to Myanmar by the British.
"As many as 82 manuscripts and 240 books related to the art of 'Marsia' (elegy) are in safe custody of Raza Library", Director of the Rampur Raza Library, professor Azimuddin said.
Among the exhibits displayed here yesterday, is a letter written by Urdu poet Mirza Ghalib urging the then Nawab Yusuf Ali Khan to accommodate Meer Afgal Ali alias Meeran Sahib.
The Raza Library of Rampur was established by Nawab Faizullah Khan, comprises documents from his personal collection of ancient manuscripts and miniature calligraphies. The library is one of the largest in Asia.
Prof Azimuddin added that the elegies of the time narrating stories of martyrdom became popular among both Hindu and Muslim intellectuals. Chunnu Lal 'Dilgeer' was the most popular artist who used to compose and recite such 'Marsias' during the period.