Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c15.s2.t54.1

v2.c15.s2.t54.1

Popularly hailed as ‘mahapandit’ (greatest scholar), polymath and polyglot, Rahul Sankritiyayana (1893-1963) was an eminent scholar of Buddhism, history, culture, and languages, as well as a prolific writer in Hindi. As a Buddhist, he donned the robe of monks and was known as one of the famous trio, along with Bhikku Jagdish Kashyap (Founder of Nav Nalanda Mahavihara) and Bhikku Sangharakshit, who contributed immensely to the revival of Buddhism in modern India. He however, turned later to the ideology of ‘Marxist socialism’. An impulsive person, agitated by the Jalianwala massacre of 1919, he actively participated in the Indian Freedom movement against the British imperialists and was thrice jailed. An avid traveller, he visited many countries, wrote several travelogues in Hindi and was aptly called the ‘Father of Travel Writing in Hindi’. He was honoured with prestigious Sahitya Academy literary award for his Hindi writing, and the Government of India bestowed him with the Padma Bhushan for his widespread scholarly achievements.