Patna’s famed Sinha library, home to a rich collection of about 1.8 lakh books including some of the rare volumes from India and abroad, turned 100 on Friday.

A commemorative special cover marking the centenary of the landmark institution was unveiled by chief postmaster-general of Bihar circle, Anil Kumar, at a function held at the historic hall of the library.

The heritage building and its modern block that was added a few decades ago have been illuminated to mark the occasion.

Located in the heart of the Bihar capital, the two-storey old structure was established officially as the Srimati Radhika Sinha Institute and Sachchidananda Sinha Library, popularly known as Sinha library. The institute was named after his wife.

Founded by Sachchidananda Sinha, the library was inaugurated on February 9, 1924.

Sachchidananda Sinha, one of the makers of modern Bihar, was also the provisional president of the Constituent Assembly of India when it met in Delhi for the first time in 1946.

The institution is run by the Srimati Radhika Sinha Institute and Sachchidananda Sinha Library Trust.

“The library has a rich collection of 1.8 lakh books and copies of some of the oldest newspapers from 1901 onwards,” Sunil Kumar, a senior advocate in the Supreme Court who holds the chair of the trust, said.