Datto Vaman Potdar

Dattatray Vaman Potdar (August 5, 1890 – October 6, 1979), better known as Datto Vaman Potdar, was an eminent Indian historian, writer, and orator. He was the Vice-Chancellor of University of Pune during 1961 - 1964.

The Government of India had honored Potdar with the title Mahamahopadhyaya (महामहोपाध्याय) in 1946, and Padmabhushan in 1967. Because of his vast knowledge, he was sometimes called as Dr. Johnson of Maharashtra or a living encyclopedia.

Potdar was a disciple of Itihasacharya Rajwade, and a trustee of Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal (इतिहास संशोधक मंडळ) in Pune. His disciples included Swami Swaroopanand, Setu Madhavrao Pagadi, and R. C. Dhere.

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Early life

Born in the Sarpotdar family in the village of Birwadi in Raigad District of Maharashtra, Potdar completed his matriculation in 1906 from Nutan Marathi Vidyalaya in Pune, and four years later received a Bachelor’s degree in History and Marathi from Fergusson College (University of Pune), also in Pune.

During 1912–1920, he taught at, and later served as the Head Master of Nutan Marathi Vidyalaya. During 1921–1935, he served as a professor at New Poona College (later renamed S. P. College) in Pune.

Potdar had mastered Sanskrit to the extent that he could fluently converse in it.

Scholarly career

In 1910, Sardar Mehendale, V. K. Rajwade, and Potdar founded Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal. Since then, Potdar maintained passionate interest through his life in the growth of the Mandal.

He traveled all over India, collecting historical documents pertaining especially to Maratha empire and Marathi literature. He ran periodicals, delivered speeches, and organized lecture series, inspiring others to research historical papers.

In 1965, the Government of Maharashtra appointed Potdar to write the biography of Shivaji, but before he could finish the assignment, he died on 6 October 1979 in Pune.

Works

Besides the above, Potdar has to his credit over 600 historical articles in Marathi and English.

Editorial Works

Affiliations

Potdar was closely associated with 68 organizations. including the following:

Honors

References

See also