Rahul Sankrityayan was a famous Indian scholar, and writer. He was born in 1893 and is known for his contributions to the fields of Buddhist studies, history, and culture, and is considered to be one of the pioneers of modern Hindi literature.
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Early Life and Education
Rahul Sankrityayan was born on April 9, 1893, in the village of Pandaha, in the district of Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. His birth name was Kedarnath Pandey, but he later changed it to Rahul Sankrityayan, which means “he who is well versed in all cultures and traditions.”
Rahul Sankrityayan grew up in poverty and had to drop out of school at a young age to help his family. However, he continued to educate himself by reading books and learning from local scholars. He was fluent in several languages, including Hindi, Sanskrit, Pali, Tibetan, and Mongolian.
Career and Achievements
Rahul Sankrityayan began his career as a teacher and later worked as a journalist, writing for several newspapers and magazines. He traveled extensively throughout India and Asia, studying Buddhism and other religions, and documenting his experiences in books and articles.
Some of Rahul Sankrityayan’s notable works include “Volga Se Ganga,” a travelogue that traces the cultural and historical roots of India, and “Buddhacharita,” a biography of the Buddha written in Hindi. He also translated several Buddhist texts into Hindi and wrote extensively on Indian culture, philosophy, and history. He led ‘Ambari Satyagraha’ in 1939 in Bihar.
Rahul Sankrityayan was a strong advocate for social justice and worked to promote the rights of the oppressed and marginalized communities in India. He was involved in the Indian independence movement and was imprisoned several times for his political activities.
He became a Buddhist monk (Bhikkhu) and eventually became a Marxist. Sankrityayan was an Indian patriot and he was arrested, and jailed for three years for his anti-British writings and speeches.
Legacy of Rahul Sankrityayan
Rahul Sankrityayan’s contributions to Indian literature and culture have been widely recognized, and he is considered to be one of the most influential writers and scholars of the 20th century. His works continue to inspire and educate people around the world, and his legacy has been celebrated through numerous awards and honors.
In conclusion, Rahul Sankrityayan was a remarkable figure who made significant contributions to the fields of literature, culture, and history. His life and work serve as an inspiration to generations of scholars and writers, and his legacy continues to live on today.
Q. Who led ‘Ambari Satyagraha’ in 1939 in Bihar?
a) Rahul Sankrityayan
b) Yadunandan Sharma
c) Swami Sahajanand
d) Swami Yogananda
(BPSC 65th PT)
Ans: (a) Rahul Sankrityayan
Q. What was Rahul Sankrityayan’s field of expertise?
a) Philosophy
b) Mathematics
c) Sociology
d) Literature
Answer: d) Literature
Explanation: Rahul Sankrityayan was a renowned Hindi writer, scholar, and polyglot who wrote in several languages, including Hindi, Sanskrit, Bhojpuri, Pali, and Tibetan. He was a prolific writer who authored more than a hundred books, including novels, travelogues, and biographies. He was widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Hindi literature and was instrumental in the development of Hindi prose.
Q. Which of the following is one of Rahul Sankrityayan’s most famous works?
a) Madhushala
b) Rashmirathi
c) Anarkali
d) Volga se Ganga
Answer: d) Volga se Ganga
Explanation: Volga se Ganga is one of Rahul Sankrityayan’s most famous works. It is a travelogue that traces the author’s journey from the Volga River in Russia to the Ganges River in India. The book is a fascinating account of his travels through Central Asia and the Middle East and provides insights into the history, culture, and geography of the regions he visited.
Q. Which of the following was Rahul Sankrityayan’s main area of interest?
a) Religion
b) Politics
c) History
d) Science
Answer: a) Religion
Explanation: Rahul Sankrityayan was deeply interested in religion and was a prominent scholar of Buddhism. He spent several years studying and practicing Buddhism and wrote extensively on the subject. His writings on Buddhism helped to popularize the religion in India and abroad.
Q. Which award was Rahul Sankrityayan awarded in 1963?
a) Padma Shri
b) Padma Bhushan
c) Sahitya Akademi Award
d) Nobel Prize
Answer: c) Sahitya Akademi Award
Explanation: Rahul Sankrityayan was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1963 for his travelogue, Meri Lichchhavi Yatra. The award is one of the most prestigious literary awards in India and is given by the Sahitya Akademi, India’s national academy of letters.
Q. Which of the following languages did Rahul Sankrityayan not write in?
a) Hindi
b) Sanskrit
c) English
d) Tamil
Answer: d) Tamil
Explanation: Rahul Sankrityayan was a polyglot who wrote in several languages, including Hindi, Sanskrit, Bhojpuri, Pali, and Tibetan. However, he did not write in Tamil.