Dasharatha Sharma
Encyclopedia
Professor Dasharatha Sharma (1903–1976) was an Indologist and a noted expert in the history
of the Rajasthan
region in India
. He was born in the Rajasthani city of Churu
and studied at Churu, the city of Bikaner in Rajasthan and at the University of Delhi
. Prof. Sharma
had degrees of Master of Arts (M.A.) in History and Sanskrit
and received a Doctor of Literature (D. Litt.) for his thesis Early Chauhan Dynasties.
, Delhi and later was appointed Reader (equivalent of Associate Professor) in Ancient History at the University of Delhi
. In 1966, he was appointed as Professor and Head, Department of History at the University of Jodhpur ( now renamed Jai Narain Vyas University
) and later became Dean, Faculty of Arts at the same institution. After retirement from the University of Jodhpur, Prof. Sharma served as Director of the Rajasthan Puratattva Mandir ( Rajasthan Oriental Research Institute
) in Jodhpur
. He also presided over the Ancient History section of the Indian History Congress
in 1967 and the General History section of the Rajasthan History Congress in 1969.
by Dr. Ramashraya Sharma, Sun worship in ancient India by Dr. Lalata Prasad Pandey, Social life in Northern India A.D. 600-1000 by Dr. Brij Narain Sharma, The Parmaras, C. 800-1305 A.D. by Dr. Pratipal Bhatia, Social and cultural history of Northern India C 1000-1200 A.D. by Dr. Brijendra Nath Sharma, Food and drinks in ancient India: from earliest times to C. 1200 A.D. by Dr. Om Prakash, Struggle for responsible government in Marwar by Dr. Sobhag Mathur and Raj Marwar during British paramountcy by Dr. Paras Raj Shah.
and calculates the year of birth for Prithiviraj III using planetary positions described in the Prithvirajavijaya. It also attributes the success of Muhammad Ghori to the rivalry between the Chauhans of Sakambari and the Chalukyas of Gujarat. Amongst other subjects, Lectures on Rajput history and culture elaborates on the origin of the Rajputs, brings attention to the celebration in Kannauj after Prithviraj III was defeated (at the second battle of Tarain), follows the thirteenth century Rajput struggle of survival, and discusses the Rajput resurgence represented by Maharana Kumbha and Rav Jodha
. In 1960, Dr. Sharma was appointed by the Rajasthan State Archives (an agency of the Government of Rajasthan) as General Editor of a comprehensive history of Rajasthan to be published by the Government of Rajasthan. This became the definitive work on the history of Rajasthan, a worthy successor to the previous works by James Tod
and Gaurishankar Hirachand Ojha. Titled Rajasthan through the ages this work was largely written by Dr. Sharma and published in 1966. Samrat Prithiviraj Chauhan tritiya aur unka yug (in Hindi
) is an updated text on the last Hindu king of Delhi.
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
of the Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
region in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. He was born in the Rajasthani city of Churu
Churu
Churu is a town in the desert region of Rajasthan state of India. It is the administrative headquarters of Churu District. It lies in the Thar Desert on the National Highway-65 connecting Pali to Ambala and is a junction station on the railway line to Bikaner...
and studied at Churu, the city of Bikaner in Rajasthan and at the University of Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
. Prof. Sharma
Sharma
Sharma Hindi शर्मा, Urdu شرمہ, ) is a name used in the Indian subcontinent mostly in Northern India as a surname or given name. As a noun in Sanskrit, Sharma has various positive connotations, such as "bliss", "happiness", "shelter", "laid back" and "protection."Sharma is a surname of brahmin...
had degrees of Master of Arts (M.A.) in History and Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
and received a Doctor of Literature (D. Litt.) for his thesis Early Chauhan Dynasties.
Academic appointments
Dr. Sharma was the Head, Department of History at Hindu CollegeHindu College, University of Delhi
Hindu College, Delhi is one of the oldest and well-known colleges in India, that was set up in 1899. It is under the affiliation of University of Delhi.It has seen enviable growth over the years. It offers undergraduate as well as postgraduate courses in Science, Humanities and Commerce...
, Delhi and later was appointed Reader (equivalent of Associate Professor) in Ancient History at the University of Delhi
University of Delhi
The University of Delhi is a central university situated in Delhi, India and is funded by Government of India. Established in 1922, it offers courses at the undergraduate and post-graduate level. Vice-President of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari is the Chancellor of the university...
. In 1966, he was appointed as Professor and Head, Department of History at the University of Jodhpur ( now renamed Jai Narain Vyas University
Jai Narain Vyas University
Jai Narain Vyas University also known as University of Jodhpur is situated in Jodhpur city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Established in 1962 it took over the four colleges of Jodhpur run by the state government...
) and later became Dean, Faculty of Arts at the same institution. After retirement from the University of Jodhpur, Prof. Sharma served as Director of the Rajasthan Puratattva Mandir ( Rajasthan Oriental Research Institute
Rajasthan Oriental Research Institute
Rajasthan Oriental Research Institute is an organisation established by Government of Rajasthan to promote Rajasthani culture and heritage and to accumulate and maintain the old Rajansthani folk art work and folk literature. It was established in 1954 under guidance of Purattvacharya Muni...
) in Jodhpur
Jodhpur
Jodhpur , is the second largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is located west from the state capital, Jaipur and from the city of Ajmer. It was formerly the seat of a princely state of the same name, the capital of the kingdom known as Marwar...
. He also presided over the Ancient History section of the Indian History Congress
Indian History Congress
Indian History Congress is the largest professional and academic body of Indian historians with over 10,000 members. It was established in 1935. The name of any new applicant for membership needs to be proposed and seconded by existing Ordinary or Life Members....
in 1967 and the General History section of the Rajasthan History Congress in 1969.
Prof. Sharma as a mentor
Several scholars were assigned to work under or sought the guidance of Dr. Sharma to complete their theses towards progression to Ph. D. degrees. Some of the volumes produced under Dr. Sharma's supervision are: A Socio-political study of the Valmiki Ramayanaby Dr. Ramashraya Sharma, Sun worship in ancient India by Dr. Lalata Prasad Pandey, Social life in Northern India A.D. 600-1000 by Dr. Brij Narain Sharma, The Parmaras, C. 800-1305 A.D. by Dr. Pratipal Bhatia, Social and cultural history of Northern India C 1000-1200 A.D. by Dr. Brijendra Nath Sharma, Food and drinks in ancient India: from earliest times to C. 1200 A.D. by Dr. Om Prakash, Struggle for responsible government in Marwar by Dr. Sobhag Mathur and Raj Marwar during British paramountcy by Dr. Paras Raj Shah.
Authorship
During his career, Prof. Sharma published over four hundred research papers and notes on a wide range of subjects. His noted monograph Early Chauhan Dynasties was first published in 1959, a revised edition was published in 1975 and reprinted in 2002. The manuscript shows that the Agnikula myth of the origin of Rajputs was adapted from the Valmiki RamayanaRamayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
and calculates the year of birth for Prithiviraj III using planetary positions described in the Prithvirajavijaya. It also attributes the success of Muhammad Ghori to the rivalry between the Chauhans of Sakambari and the Chalukyas of Gujarat. Amongst other subjects, Lectures on Rajput history and culture elaborates on the origin of the Rajputs, brings attention to the celebration in Kannauj after Prithviraj III was defeated (at the second battle of Tarain), follows the thirteenth century Rajput struggle of survival, and discusses the Rajput resurgence represented by Maharana Kumbha and Rav Jodha
Rao Jodha
Rao Jodha was a Rajput ruler of Mandore . He was the son of Rao Ranmal of the Rathore clan. He is known for founding the city of Jodhpur in 1459.-Ancestry:...
. In 1960, Dr. Sharma was appointed by the Rajasthan State Archives (an agency of the Government of Rajasthan) as General Editor of a comprehensive history of Rajasthan to be published by the Government of Rajasthan. This became the definitive work on the history of Rajasthan, a worthy successor to the previous works by James Tod
James Tod
Lieutenant-Colonel James Tod was an English officer of the British East India Company and an Oriental scholar.Tod was born in London and educated in Scotland, later joining the East India Company as a military officer. He travelled to India in 1799 as a cadet in the Bengal Army where he rose...
and Gaurishankar Hirachand Ojha. Titled Rajasthan through the ages this work was largely written by Dr. Sharma and published in 1966. Samrat Prithiviraj Chauhan tritiya aur unka yug (in Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
) is an updated text on the last Hindu king of Delhi.
Monographs
- Early Chauhan Dynasties: a study of Chauhan political history, Chauhan political institutions, and life in the Chauhan dominions, from 800 to 1316 A D :Dasharatha Sharma; with a foreword by K.M. PanikkarKavalam Madhava PanikkarHis Excellency Sardar Kavalam Madhava Panikkar was an Indian scholar, journalist, historian, administrator and diplomat...
. ISBN 0-8426-0618-1 - Rajasthan through the ages: a comprehensive and authentic history of Rajasthan, prepared under the orders of the Government of Rajasthan (Volume I) General Editor: Dasharatha Sharma. Publisher: Rajasthan State ArchivesRajasthan State ArchivesRajasthan State Archives is an archive located in Bikaner city of Rajasthan state in India has rich collection of administrative record of Mughal period like Persian Farmans, Nishans, Manshurs, Akbarat, Vakil Report, Arzdasht, Khatoot and the record created during administration of the Princely...
, Bikaner, 1966. - Lectures on Rajput history and culture (Raghunath Prosad Nopany Lectures 1966):Dasharatha Sharma. Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi,1970. ISBN 0-8426-0262-3.
- Kuch aithasika rukke-parvane (Hindi कुछ ऐतिहासिक रुक्के परवाने): Lectures on communuications between 17th and 18th century rulers of Rajasthan and other dignitaries, Publisher: Rajasthan Sodha Samsthana, Jodhpur 1968.
- Samrat Prithviraja Chauhan tritiya aur unka yug ( Hindi सम्राट पृथ्वीराज चौ़हान तृतीय और उनका युग)
Collected works
- Dasharatha Sharma lekha-sangraha ( in Hindi ) Editors: Manohar Sharma, Divakar Sharma. Publisher: Hindi Visvabharati Anusandhan Parishad, Bikaner 1977.
Chapters contributed to texts
A comprehensive history of India ( Vol.4 part I ) Published under the auspices of the Indian History Congress. Publisher: People's Publishing House, Delhi 1992. ISBN 8170071216.- Chapter X(A) The political condition of Northern India in 985
- Chapter XI The Shahis
- Chapter XII section IKannauj ( c. 985-1200 ) Pratiharas and Rastrakutas
- Chapter XVIII The Cahamanas
- Chapter XIXMore Rajput dynasties
Critically edited historical Manuscripts
- Dayaldasari khyata : Bikanerarai Rathoramari khyata / Sindhayaca Dayaladasa krita ; Principal editor: Dasharatha Sharma. Publisher: Anup Sanskrit Pustakalaya, Bikaner 1948.
- Kyam Khan Raso, Editors: Dasharatha Sharma, Agarchand Nahata, Bhanwarlal Nahata. Publisher: Rajasthan Puratattva Mandir, JaipurJaipurJaipur , also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded on 18 November 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, the city today has a population of more than 3.1 million....
1953. - Amarsimhabhiseka-kavya, PilaniPilaniPilani is a small town situated in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. It is in the Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan, India. It notable for being the home of a large number of education institutes for its size.-Etymology:...
1953. - Pamwar-vansa-darpan of Dayaldas Publisher: Sadul Rajasthani Research Institute, Bikaner 1960.
- Indraprastha-prabandha Publisher: Rajasthan Puratattva Mandir, Jodhpur 1963.
- Sangitaraghunandanam by Visvanathasimha, Maharaja of Rewa. Publisher: Rajasthan Puratattva Mandir, Jodhpur, 1974.
Edited Commemorative Volumes
- Shri Agarchand Nahata abhinandan grantha Principal Editor: Dasharatha Sharma. Publisher: Shri Abhaya Jain Granthalaya, Bikaner 1976.
- OjhaG H OjhaRai Bahadur Pandit Gaurishankar Hirachand Ojha , born in Rohida village of Sirohi District, was an eminent historian from the Indian state of Rajasthan. A prolific author, he wrote several landmark books on the history of Rajasthan and notable books on other historical subjects. The succeeding...
Nibandha Sangraha (Vol 1) Editor: Dasharatha Sharma. Publisher: UdaipurUdaipurUdaipur , also known as the City of Lakes, is a city, a Municipal Council and the administrative headquarters of the Udaipur district in the state of Rajasthan in western India. It is located southwest of the state capital, Jaipur, west of Kota, and northeast from Ahmedabad...
Sahitya Sansthan, Rajasthan Vishwa Vidyapith 1954.
Critical introductions to the following historical Manuscripts
- MudrarakshasaMudrarakshasaThe Mudrarakshasa , a historical play in Sanskrit by Vishakhadatta in late 4th or early 5th century narrates the ascent of the king Chandragupta Maurya to power in Northern India.-Origin:...
purvasamkathanaka of Anantasarman Publisher: Anup Sanskrit Library, Bikaner 1945. - Hammirayana Publisher: Sadul Rajasthani Research Institute, Bikaner.
- Dalpat VilasDalpat VilasThe Dalpat Vilas is the surviving fragment of a historical manuscript. Written in the Rajasthani language, it is the earliest known Rajput source of Mughal-Rajput relations. The initial portion of the manuscript covers the genealogy of the Rathores and the Sur dynasty...
Publisher: Sadul Rajasthani Research Institute, Bikaner 1960. - Achaldas Khichi ri Vachanika Publisher: Sadul Rajasthani Research Institute, Bikaner.
- Padmini-charita-chaupai Publisher: Sadul Rajasthani Research Institute, Bikaner.
- Raas aur Rasanvayi-Kavya Dr. Dashrath Ojha and Dr. Dasharatha Sharma. Publisher: Nagari-Pracharini Sabha, VaranasiVaranasi-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...
1959. - Hammiramahakavya Editor: Muni Jinavijaya. Publisher: Rajasthan Puratattva Mandir, Jodhpur.
Further reading
- Hamarey Purodha-19 Dr. Dasharatha Sharma ( Hindi हमारे पुरोधा-19 डा. दशरथ शर्मा ) in Hindi. Author: Dr. Girija Shankar Sharma. Publisher: Rajasthan Sahitya Academy, Udaipur, 2003. ISBN 81-88445-00-2 http://lccn.loc.gov/2003308721
External links
- 'Early Chauhan Dynasties' ( first edition ) at google books http://books.google.com/books?id=J961AAAAIAAJ&dq=inauthor:Dasharatha+inauthor:sharma&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&as_brr=0&source=gbs_book_other_versions_r&cad=7
- 'Rajasthan through the ages' Library of Congress listing http://lccn.loc.gov/73900574
- 'Lectures on Rajput history and culture' at google books http://books.google.com/books?id=Wi1uAAAAMAAJ&dq=inauthor:Dasharatha+inauthor:Sharma&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=100&as_brr=0&as_pt=ALLTYPES&pgis=1
- Kuch aithasika rukke-parvane at google books http://books.google.com/books?id=8cIBAAAAMAAJ&q=inauthor:Dasharatha+inauthor:Sharma&dq=inauthor:Dasharatha=inauthor:Sharma&pgis=1
- Dasharatha Sharma lekha sangraha at google books http://books.google.com/books?id=DrwtAAAAMAAJ&dq=inauthor:dasharatha+inauthor:sharma&lr=&num=50&as_brr=0&pgis=1
- 'A comprehensive history of India' Vol 4 part I at google books http://books.google.com/books?ei=rPAQTpfQPOKKsgLQuZGACg&ct=result&id=ahFuAAAAMAAJ&dq=intitle%3AA+intitle%3Acomprehensive+intitle%3Ahistory+intitle%3Aof+intitle%3AIndia&q=Chapter+XVIII#search_anchor
- Kyam Khan Raso Library of Congress listing http://lccn.loc.gov/97909262
- Indraprastha-prabandha Library of Congress listing http://lccn.loc.gov/sa66000794
- Sangitaraghunanadanam at google books http://books.google.com/books?id=OoweAAAAIAAJ&dq=inauthor:Dasharatha+inauthor:sharma&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=1&as_miny_is=2009&as_maxm_is=12&as_maxy_is=2009&num=100&as_brr=0&source=gbs_book_other_versions_r&cad=5
- Mudrarakshasapurvasamkathanaka of Anantasarman at google books http://books.google.com/books?id=iUg_AAAAIAAJ&q=inauthor:Dasharatha+inauthor:Sharma&dq=inauthor:Dasharatha+inauthor:Sharma&pgis=1
- Raas aur Rasanvayi-Kavya Library of Congress listing http://lccn.loc.gov/sa65002723
- Rajasthan Puratattva Mandir http://rori.nic.in/
- Indian History Congress http://members.tripod.com/historycongress3/profile.htm
- 'A Socio-political study of the Valmiki Ramayana' at google books http://books.google.com/books?id=OYvK3WviZ8cC&dq=ramashraya+sharma&q=dasharatha+sharma&pgis=1#search
- 'Sun worship in ancient India' at google books http://books.google.com/books?id=A00VAAAAMAAJ&dq=sun+worship+in+ancient+india&q=dasharatha+sharma&pgis=1#search
- 'Social life in Northern India A.D. 600-1000' at google books http://books.google.com/books?id=G0oiAAAAMAAJ&dq=brij+narain+sharma&q=dasharatha+sharma&pgis=1#search
- 'The Parmaras C. 800-1305 A.D.' at google books http://books.google.com/books?id=a5gcAAAAMAAJ&dq=pratipal+bhatia&q=dasharatha+sharma&pgis=1#search
- 'Social and cultural history of Northern India C 1000-1200 A.D.' at googlebooks
- 'Struggle for responsible government in Marwar at google books http://books.google.com/books?id=o-YeAAAAMAAJ&dq=sobhag+mathur&q=dasharatha+sharma&pgis=1#search
- Raj Marwar during British paramountcy' at google books http://books.google.com/books?id=XGseAAAAMAAJ&dq=dasharatha+sharma&q=dasharatha+sharma&pgis=1#search