Rajaram Jain (born 1 February 1929) is anIndologist,philologist, author and a scholar ofPrakrit,Apabhramsha,Sanskrit,Hindi andShauraseni Prakrit languages. He is known for his critical studies and Hindi translations of rare, unpublished manuscripts, particularly the work of the 14th -15th century poetRaidhu. Jain's work has contributed to the understanding ofIndo-Aryan literature. In 2024, theGovernment of India honoured Rajaram Jain with thePadma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour.[1][2]
Rajaram Jain[3] was born on February 1, 1929, inMalthon,Sagar district,Bundelkhand,Madhya Pradesh,India. Despite economic challenges and the early loss of his parents, he completed his education. He graduated fromBanaras Hindu University in 1951, earned a Master's degree in Hindi literature in 1954, and later obtained an Acharya degree in Sanskrit.
Rajaram Jain with his wife, Vidyawati Jain in 2018
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.
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 In 1967, he earned his Ph.D. with a critical study of 22 rare unpublished Apabhramsha epics by the poetRaidhu, titled "Raidhu Sahitya ka Alochanatmaka Parishilana"[4][5][6] which gained academic recognition. As Hon. Director ofD. K. Jain Oriental Research Institute Ara, Bihar (1979–2003), he carried out extensive research and edited/published the research magazine 'JAINA ANTIQUARY'.[7] 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'.[8] He is currently an associate member of the Centre of Jaina Studies, University of London,[9] and formerly served as the President of Shri Ganesh Varni Sansthan, Varanasi.he 1940s.
Rajaram Jain receiving TheInstitut de France's Prize for 'Sirival Cariu' in 2018The Vice President,B. D. Jatti presenting 'Jain Itihas Ratna' to Rajaram Jain in 1974
In 2018, Rajaram Jain received the prestigious 'Colette Caillat Foundation Award[10]' from theInstitut de France, Paris, for his book 'Sirival Chariu',[11][12] a critical edition and Hindi translation of the 15th-centuryApabhramsha epic by poetRaidhu, highlighting India's trade relations with foreign countries. In 1974, he was honored with the 'Jain Itihas Ratna' award from the Vice-President of IndiaB.D.Jatti for his book 'Vaddhamanacariu[13]', 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[14][6] delves into 12th-century manuscripts, providing the first reference toDelhi 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.
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
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
^Shibra Arshad (December 25, 2024). "Atal Samman Samaroh Honors Excellence Across Fields on Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Birth Anniversary". Bharat Express.[2]
