Ganganath Jha

Ganganath Jha
Born 25 December 1872
Sarisav&Pahi(Pahi tol), Madhubani, Bihar
Died 9 November 1941
Allahabad, India
Occupation Sanskrit scholar
Spouse(s) Rukmini Devi

Sir Gaṅgānāth Jhā (25 December 1872 – 9 November 1941) was a scholar of Sanskrit, Indian Philosophy and Buddhist Philosophy. He was also a paṇḍit of Nyāya-Śāstra.

Early life

Ganganath Jha was born in a Maithil Brahmin family of the Sarisab Pahi village of Madhubani district of Bihar. He was first taught using the Persian script then, when his family moved to Benares when he was aged seven, he learned Sanskrit. In 1880, he returned to his relatives in Darbhanga and was admitted to an English medium school. In 1886, after completing his school education, he returned to Benares for further studies and was admitted to the Government Sanskrit College there. He received his MAMaster of Arts degree in Sanskrit with first rank in 1892.

Service

At the age of 24, he was appointed a librarian of the Darbhanga state by its Maharaja. In 1902, he was appointed a Professor of Sanskrit at Muir College in Allahabad, which he left in 1918 to become the first Indian principal of the Government Sanskrit College in Benares. Between 1920–1923 he served as a member of the Council of State in the Central British Government of India.[1]

He was vice-chancellor of University of Allahabad (Prayag University) during 1923–32. The University of Allahabad established the Ganganath Jha Hostel in his honour.[2][3][4]

Honors and awards

Literary work

Sir GN Jha written numerous books and translated many Sanskrit books into English.[6][7]

Books authored

Books translated

Books edited

Disciples

Famous Children

Ganganath Jha Research Institute

In 1945, after his death, his five sons established the Ganganath Jha Research Institute in Allahabad. The institute publishes books and journals on oriental studies, as well as producing a journal. Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan (Ganganatha Jha Campus), formerly known as Ganganath Jha Research Institute (from 1943–1971) and Ganganatha Jha Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth (from 1971–2002 under the Ministry of HRD, Government of India) was founded on 17 November 1943 with a view to perpetuate the name and works of M. M. Dr. Sir Ganganatha Jha (b. 1871 & d.1941), a renowned International figure of Orientology and Indology.[8]

References

  1. Autobiographical notes of Dr. Ganganath Jha, Ganganath Jha Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Allahabad
  2. "Ganganath jha was VC of University of Allahabad". UoA's official web page say
  3. “Ganganath Jha Hostel”. Reference of Ganganath Jha Hostel from J K Institute, Allahaabad University web page
  4. “This hostel is in the list of University of Allahabad Hostel”. Its presence in Hostel's list of Allahabad University
  5. The London Gazette, 12 June 1941
  6. A. B. Keith, History of Sanskrit Literature, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi.
  7. A. A. Macdonell and A. B. Keith, Vedic Index of names and subjects, Choukhanba Vidya Bhavan, Benares, 1962.
  8. "Ganganath Jha Research Institute (Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan)". In 1945, after his death, his five sons established the Ganganath Jha Research Institute now called Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan
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