Ganganath Jha
Encyclopedia
Sir Gaṅgānāth Jhā (25 December 1872 – 9 November 1941) was an eminent scholar of Sanskrit
, Indian Philosophy
, Buddhist Philosophy
and paṇḍit of Nyāya-Śāstra
.
Brahmin
family. He started his education in the Persian script. At the age of seven his parents moved to Benares where he began learning Sanskrit
. In 1880, he returned to his relatives in Darbhanga
and was admitted to an English medium school. After completing his school education, in 1886, he returned to Benares for further studies. In the regime of Principal Dr. Thevo, he took admission in Government Sanskrit College, Benares . His notable teachers were Dr. Venice, Babu Umesh Chandra Sanyal, Babu Abay Chandra Sanyal and Pt. Vindheshwari Prasad Dubey. He passed Master of Arts
with first rank in the year 1892.
state by the Maharaja
of Darbhanga
. In 1902 he was appointed a Professor of Sanskrit
at Muir College, Prayag
. Here too Dr. Thevo was the Principal of the College. He left Muir College in 1918 and became the principal of the Government Sanskrit College, Benares. He was the first Indian to become the Principal of this reputable College. During his principalship he was nominated as a member of the Council of State by the Central British Government of India (1920–1923)..
By the order of DBI Mackenzie, he was appointed as Vice-Chancellor of Prayag University
in 1923, he served this university for nine years.
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...
, Indian Philosophy
Indian philosophy
India has a rich and diverse philosophical tradition dating back to ancient times. According to Radhakrishnan, the earlier Upanisads constitute "...the earliest philosophical compositions of the world."...
, Buddhist Philosophy
Buddhist philosophy
Buddhist philosophy deals extensively with problems in metaphysics, phenomenology, ethics, and epistemology.Some scholars assert that early Buddhist philosophy did not engage in ontological or metaphysical speculation, but was based instead on empirical evidence gained by the sense organs...
and paṇḍit of Nyāya-Śāstra
Nyaya
' is the name given to one of the six orthodox or astika schools of Hindu philosophy—specifically the school of logic...
.
Early life
Jha was born in village of Sarisab Pahi (Pahi tol) Madhubani district. He belonged to the MaithilMaithil
Maithil properly means the native speaker of Maithili language, and includes all the natives of Mithila. They are natives of some districts south of the Ganges near Bhagalpur and Monghyr, most of North Bihar and adojining Terai of Nepal. All castes living in Mithila and speaking Maithili are Maithils...
Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
family. He started his education in the Persian script. At the age of seven his parents moved to Benares where he began learning 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...
. In 1880, he returned to his relatives in Darbhanga
Darbhanga
Darbhangā is a twin city and a municipal corporation and the capital city of the Darbhanga district and Darbhanga Division in the state of Bihar, India. It is one of the most important districts of North Bihar situated in the very heart of Mithilanchal. According to the latest 2011 census, the...
and was admitted to an English medium school. After completing his school education, in 1886, he returned to Benares for further studies. In the regime of Principal Dr. Thevo, he took admission in Government Sanskrit College, Benares . His notable teachers were Dr. Venice, Babu Umesh Chandra Sanyal, Babu Abay Chandra Sanyal and Pt. Vindheshwari Prasad Dubey. He passed Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
with first rank in the year 1892.
Service
At the age of 24, he was appointed a librarian of DarbhangaDarbhanga
Darbhangā is a twin city and a municipal corporation and the capital city of the Darbhanga district and Darbhanga Division in the state of Bihar, India. It is one of the most important districts of North Bihar situated in the very heart of Mithilanchal. According to the latest 2011 census, the...
state by the Maharaja
Maharaja
Mahārāja is a Sanskrit title for a "great king" or "high king". The female equivalent title Maharani denotes either the wife of a Maharaja or, in states where that was customary, a woman ruling in her own right. The widow of a Maharaja is known as a Rajamata...
of Darbhanga
Darbhanga
Darbhangā is a twin city and a municipal corporation and the capital city of the Darbhanga district and Darbhanga Division in the state of Bihar, India. It is one of the most important districts of North Bihar situated in the very heart of Mithilanchal. According to the latest 2011 census, the...
. In 1902 he was appointed a Professor of 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...
at Muir College, Prayag
Allahabad
Allahabad , or Settled by God in Persian, is a major city of India and is one of the main holy cities of Hinduism. It was renamed by the Mughals from the ancient name of Prayaga , and is by some accounts the second-oldest city in India. It is located in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh,...
. Here too Dr. Thevo was the Principal of the College. He left Muir College in 1918 and became the principal of the Government Sanskrit College, Benares. He was the first Indian to become the Principal of this reputable College. During his principalship he was nominated as a member of the Council of State by the Central British Government of India (1920–1923)..
By the order of DBI Mackenzie, he was appointed as Vice-Chancellor of Prayag University
Allahabad University
Allahabad University , is a premier Central University located in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Its origins lie in the Muir Central College, named after Lt...
in 1923, he served this university for nine years.
Honor and awards
- D. Litt, 1900
- Mahāmahopādhyāya, 1901
- Member, Council of State (1920–1923)
- Campbell Medal, Royal Asiatic Society, London
- Honorary Member, Royal Asiatic Society, London
- Knighthood (Sir), Central British Government
Literary work
Dr. Ganganath Jha has written numerous books. Since he had a good command of English, he translated many Sanskrit books into English.Books authored
- The Prabhakar school of Purva-Mimansa, Allahabad UniversityAllahabad UniversityAllahabad University , is a premier Central University located in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Its origins lie in the Muir Central College, named after Lt...
, 1911. - Kavi Rahasya, Hindustan Academy Press, Prayag.
- Nyaya Prakash, Nagari Pracharini Sabha, Benares, 1920.
- Vaisveshik Darsha, Nagari Pracharini Sabha, Benares, 1921.
- The Philosophical Discipline, Calcutta University, 1928.
- Sources of Hindu law, Idian Press, Allahabad, 1930.
- Hindu Vidhi Ka Srota, Patna University, 1931.
- Shankar Vedant, Allahabad UniversityAllahabad UniversityAllahabad University , is a premier Central University located in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Its origins lie in the Muir Central College, named after Lt...
, 1939. - Purva-Mimansa in its sources, Banaras Hindu UniversityBanaras Hindu UniversityBanaras Hindu University is a public university located in Varanasi, India and is one of the Central Universities of India. It is the largest residential university in Asia, with over 24,000 students in its campus. BHU was founded in 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya under the Parliamentary...
, 1942. - Yoga Darshana, Theosophical Society, Madras.
Books translated
- Chandogyopanishad, G.A. Nelson & Co., Madras, 1899.
- Yoga-Darsana, Theosophical Publication, Bombay, 1907.
- Gautam ka Nyaya Sutra, Oriental Book Agency, Poona, 1913.
- The Purva-Mimansa Sastra of Gemini, Pāṇini office, AllahabadAllahabadAllahabad , or Settled by God in Persian, is a major city of India and is one of the main holy cities of Hinduism. It was renamed by the Mughals from the ancient name of Prayaga , and is by some accounts the second-oldest city in India. It is located in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh,...
, 1916. - Sloka Vartika, Asiatic Society of Bengal, Calcutta, 1924.
- Tantra-Bhasa, Oriental Book Agency, Poona, 1925.
- ‘’’Manusmriti,’’’, in five Volumes, Calcutta University, 1920-1926.
- Yoga Sar Sangrah, Oriental Book Agency, Poona, 1931.
- Tatva Sangrham, (in two Volumes), Baroda Oriental Institute, Baorda, 1936.
- Shabarbhasya, (in three Voumes), Baroda Oriental Institute, Baorda, 1939.
Books edited
- Memansa Nyaya Prakash, 1904.
- Gautam Ka Nyayasutra, Oriental Book Agency, Poona, 1931.
- Nyayadarshana, Coukhamba Sanskrit Series, Benares, 1925.
- Jyant Bhatt ki Nyayakalika, Sanskrit Bhavan Texts, Benares, 1925.
- Mimansa Paribhasha, Medical Hall Press, Benares, 1905.
- Bhavana Vivek, Govt. Press, Allahabad, 1922.
- Mimansa Mandan, Coukhamba Sanskrit Series, Benares, 1929.
- Manusmriti, Asiatic SocietyAsiatic SocietyThe Asiatic Society was founded by Sir William Jones on January 15, 1784 in a meeting presided over by Sir Robert Chambers, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at the Fort William in Calcutta, then capital of the British Raj, to enhance and further the cause of Oriental research. At the time of...
, Bengal. - Tantra Ratna, Sanskrit Bhavan Texts, Benares, 1930.
- Vad vinod, Indian Press, Allahabad, 1915.
- Khandan Khanda Khadya, Coukhamba Sanskrit Series, Benares, 1914.
- Purush Pariksha, Veledeiyer, Allahabad, 1911.
- Kadambari, Sanskrit Bhavan Texts, Benares.
- Prasanna Raghav Natan, Sanskrit Bhavan Texts, Benares.
- Meghdootam, Sanskrit Bhavan Texts, Benares.
Disciples
- Prof. Kshetresa Chandra ChattopadhyayaKshetresa Chandra ChattopadhyayaKshetresa Chandra Chattopadhyaya was a distinguished scholar of Sanskrit from India. A scholar of Sanskrit, Veda, grammar, Pali, Prakrit and philology, he was born on October 27, 1896 in village Nimta of North 24 Parganas in what was then Bengal. He came from an illustrious family of Kulina...
- Dr. Baburam Saxena
- Dr. Umesh Mishra
- Dr. Sahadeva Jha