Rajaram Jain

Rajaram Jain (born 1 February 1929) is an Indologist, philologist, author and a scholar of Prakrit, Apabhramsha, Sanskrit, Hindi and Shauraseni Prakrit languages. He is known for his critical studies and Hindi translations of rare, unpublished manuscripts, particularly the work of the 14th -15th century poet Raidhu. Jain's work has contributed to the understanding of Indo-Aryan literature. In 2024, the Government of India honoured Rajaram Jain with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour.

Early life

Rajaram Jain was born on February 1, 1929, in Malthon, Sagar district, Bundelkhand, Madhya Pradesh, India. Despite economic challenges and the early loss of his parents, he completed his education. He graduated from Banaras Hindu University in 1951, earned a Master's degree in Hindi literature in 1954, and later obtained an Acharya degree in Sanskrit.

Personal life

In 1955, Rajaram Jain married Vidyawati Jain, who was 18 and had a 9th-grade education. Despite her traditional upbringing that limited women's education, she resumed her studies after marriage, eventually earning two M.A. degrees (Hindi and Prakrit with a Gold medal), a Ph.D., and a D.Litt. Rajaram Jain supported her academic and literary pursuits.

Career

In 1961, he joined the Sanskrit and Prakrit Department at H.D. Jain College, Magadh University, Arrah, Bihar, and later served as Head of the Department. In 1967, he earned his Ph.D. with a critical study of 22 rare unpublished Apabhramsha epics by the poet Raidhu, titled "Raidhu Sahitya ka Alochanatmaka Parishilana"CLERCQ, EVA DE (2010)
ON JAINA APABHRAṂŚA PRAŚASTIS
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As Hon. Director of D. K. Jain Oriental Research Institute Ara, Bihar (1979–2003), he carried out extensive research and edited/published the research magazine 'JAINA ANTIQUARY'. He also managed a collection of over 7,000 rare manuscripts from around the world.

In 1991, he became the Director of Shri Kundkund Bharati Prakrit Shodh Sansthan, New Delhi, where he edited and published the research magazine series PRAKRIT VIDYA'. He is currently an associate member of the Centre of Jaina Studies, University of London, and formerly served as the President of Shri Ganesh Varni Sansthan, Varanasi.he 1940s.

Academic Recognition

In 2018, Rajaram Jain received the prestigious 'Colette Caillat Foundation Award' from the Institut de France, Paris, for his book 'Sirival Chariu', a critical edition and Hindi translation of the 15th-century Apabhramsha epic by poet Raidhu, highlighting India's trade relations with foreign countries. In 1974, he was honored with the 'Jain Itihas Ratna' award from the Vice-President of India B.D.Jatti for his book 'Vaddhamanacariu', a significant 12th-century literary and cultural masterpiece. Jain's scholarly pursuits include 'Jony Pahud', a rare deciphering of a 1st-Cen. Prakrit manuscript revealing medico-tantric insights. Additionally, his collaborative work Pasnaha Cariu delves into 12th-century manuscripts, providing the first reference to Delhi as Dhilli and detailing the reign of Tribhuvanpati Tomar, shedding light on Delhi's pre-Sultanate history with critical editions and Hindi translations enriched by exhaustive research and analysis.

Awards, Honours and Recognitions

Rajaram Jain has been honored with awards for his contributions to literature, including:

Civilian honours

* 2024 - Padma Shri award from the Government of India in Literature & Education

National honours

* 2000 - Presidential Award of Certificate of Honour from the Government of India
* 1974 - Jain Itihas Ratna by the Vice-President of India B.D.Jatti
* 2005 - D.Litt. (Honoris Causa) from Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University
* 2019 - Honored with a FESTSCHRIFT titled: 'Prakrit Purush'; a memoirs containing articles, essays (ISBN 81-86957-54-5)
* 2024 - 'Atal Sahitya Shikhar Samman' Shibra Arshad (December 25, 2024). "Atal Samman Samaroh Honors Excellence Across Fields on Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Birth Anniversary". Bharat Express

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International honours

* 2018 - Colette Caillat Foundation Award from Institut de France, Paris
* 2007 - Prakrit Jnanabharati International Award
* 1997 - Ahimsa International Award

Publications

Rajaram Jain has authored 40 books and over 250 articles on various aspects of Ancient and medieval life. His works include critical editions, annotated translations and commentaries on rare, unpublished manuscripts:

Critical Edition and Translation of Poet Raidhu's work

A partial list of published works on Raidhu includes:

* Raidhu Sahitya ka Alochanatmaka-Parishilana (1974); 824 Pages; Prakrta Jaina Shashtra Aur Ahimsa Shodha Sansthan, Vaishali, Bihar
* Siddhantatthasaro (2021); Bharatiya Jnanpith, New Delhi;
* Jimandhar Jin Chariu (2021); Bharatiya Jnanpith, New Delhi;
* Appa-Samvohkavva (2021); Bharatiya Jnanpith, New Delhi;
* Risahputta-Bharah-Bahubali-Chariu (2021): Published in 2020; Bharatiya Jnanpith, New Delhi;
* Mehesar Chariu (2019); Bharatiya Jnanpith, New Delhi;
* Sirival Chariu (2017); Bharatiya Jnanpith, New Delhi;
* Riṭthaṇemi Chariu (2016); Meenakshi Prakashan, Meerut
* Siri Ram Chariu (2011); Research Institute of Prakrit, Jainology & Ahimsa in Vaishali, Bihar
* Sanmati Charit (2010); Research Institute of Prakrit, Jainology & Ahimsa in Vaishali, Bihar;
* Jambu-Sami Chariu (2008); Om Kothari Foundation, New Delhi
* Vittasaro (2006); Vidya Bhushan Charitable Trust, New Delhi
* Puṇyāsrava-kathā (2000); Śrī Digambara Jaina Sāhitya-Saṃskr̥ti Saṃrakshaṇa Samiti, Delhi
* Bhadrabāhu-Cāṇakya-Candragupta-kathānaka evaṃ Rājā Kalki-varṇana (1982); Sri Ganesha Varni Di. Jaina Samsthana, Varanasi
* Raidhu Granthavali Vol1(1975) Sholapur Jaina Samskrti Samraksaka Samgha - Pasnah Chariu - Sukosala Chariu - Dhannakumar Chariu
* Raidhu Granthavali Vol 2 (1988); Sholapur Jaina Samskrti Samraksaka Samgha - Sammai-Jina-chariu

Other Works

* Jony-Pahuda (2018); Bharatiya Jnanpith, New Delhi;
* Pasanaha Chariu (2006); Bharatiya Jnanpith, New Delhi;
* Vaddhmanchariu (1975); Bharatiya Jnanpith, New Delhi
* Prākr̥ta-bhāshā evaṃ śramaṇa-saṃskr̥ti kī vyāpakatā (2019); Prakrit Bharti Academy, Jaipur
* Bhavishya Datta Kavya (2015); Sri Bharatavarsiya Digambara Jaina Mahasabha, New Delhi
* Jain Literature -The Incredible Treasure of Ancient Knowledge and Science (2015); Prachya Shraman Bharti, Muzaffarnagar (U.P.)
* Contribution of Prakrit & Jain Literature to Indian Orientology– An Overview (2010); Jain Anushilana Kendra, Jaipur, Rajasthan
* Shauseni Prakrit Bhasha Evum Uske Sahitya ka sankshipta Itihaas (2010); Jain Anushilana Kendra, Jaipur, Rajasthan
* Jaina Manuscripts and Inscriptions-An Overview (2007); Sri Ganesha Varni Di. Jaina Samsthana, Varanasi;
* Ahimsa Evam Paryaavaran Sanrakshan Siddhaanton Ka Akshay Shrot (2007); Mr. Mohanlal Chandravati Jain Charitable Trust, Delhi
* Mahameru Acharya Kundakunda, an East Indian Knowledge-Science (Kannada) (2006); NIPSAR, Mysore, Karnataka
* Shaurseni Prakrit & its Literature (2002); Govt. of India Registration No. 48869/89
* Prachya Bhartiya Gyan-Vigyan ke Mahameru Acharya Kundkund (1989); Prachyabharati Prakashan, Ara, Bihar
* Hindi Ke Prasiddha Lokkavi (1988); Dilli Siksha Bharati
* Contribution of Jaina Literature to the Development of Indian Culture Vol. 1 (1982); Krishna Nagar Jaina Samaj, Delhi. Author: Nemichand Shastri, Ed: Rajaram Jain, Devendra Kr. Shastri
* Contribution of Jaina Literature to the Development of Indian Culture Vol. 2 (1982); Krishna Nagar Jaina Samaj, Delhi. Author: Nemichand Shastri, Ed: Rajaram Jain, Devendra Kr. Shastri
* Shraman-sahitya men varnit Bihar ki kuchh jain tirthabhumiyan (1975); Bhagavan Mahavir, Gaya, Bihar

References

{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Literature & Education, state=collapsed
1929 births
Indian philologists
Living people
Recipients of the Padma Shri in literature and education