Vishwanath Kashinath Rajwade

Vishwanath Kashinath Rajwade
File:V.K.Rajwade.jpg
Born	1863
Died	1926

Vishwanath Kashinath Rajwade (Marathi: विश्वनाथ काशिनाथ राजवाडे) (24 June 1863 – 31 December 1926), popularly known as Itihasacharya Rajwade, was an eminent historian, scholar, writer, commentator and orator from Maharashtra. He is considered to be the first in real sense to undertake an immense research of Maratha History by visiting hundreds of villages and historical places all over India and gathering thousands of genuine historical papers. He is also known to be the notable commentator on the various aspects of world history. He was the founder member of Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal, Pune. His disciples include historians like Datto Vaman Potdar,Vasudeo Sitaram Bendrey and G.H.Khare.

Eminent Historian, R.S. Sharma writes of him as, "With his unadulterated passion for research, V.K.Rajwade went from village to village in Maharashtra in search of Sanskrit manuscripts and sources of Maratha history; which were published in twenty-two volumes."

Historian Rajwade should not be confused with 'Ahitagni' Shankar Ramchandra Rajwade; Ahitaagni Rajwade was a vedic scholar.

The Indian History Congress has constituted Vishwanath Kashinath Rajwade Award for lifelong service and contribution to Indian history.

Early life

Rajwade’s grandfather was the Killedar of fort Lohagad in the province of Pune. He was Born in the village Varsai situated in Raigad district of Maharashtra state. Since his father died in his childhood, he was brought up by his uncle at Vadgaon near Pune. He did his matriculation in January 1882 and graduation in 1890 from Deccan College, Pune. During his graduation he came in close contact of the well known scholar Dr. Ramkrishna Gopal Bhandarkar who was then a professor in Deccan College (Pune). Sooner or Later he was also impressed with the works by Vishnushastri Krushnashastri Chiplunkar, Parshuram Tatya Godbole and Kavyeitihas sangrahakar Sane.

Later Life & Contribution

After his graduation Rajwade got married but subsequently lost his wife in early young age. Thereafter he chose to dedicate his life to history and research. In 1895 he started a Marathi magazine called ‘Bhashantar’ (meaning ‘translation’) through which he brought works of western historians and scholars like Plato, Aristotle, Edward Gibbon and Indian scholars like Shankaracharya etc. in Marathi. Simultaneously, by writing articles and delivering speeches he also started educating Marathi people on several subjects like history of Marathas, history of world, history of Marathi literature, grammar of Marathi and Sanskrit languages. In 1910, he founded Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal at Pune and kept all his works and historical papers gathered by him in the custody of the Mandal. After his sudden death in 1926, ‘Rajwade Sanshodhak Mandal’ was founded at Dhule and his works and collection of his later life was kept there. Both the institutions have been contributing in the field of history and culture of India till the date.

His works in Marathi as a Researcher / Historian / Editor

• Marathyanchya Itihasachi Sadhane (History of Marathas) – 22 Volumes
• Radha Madhav Vilas Champu (Biography of Shahaji)
• Aitihasik Prastavana (Historical Prefaces)
• Rajwade Lekhsangraha (Collection of essays) - 3 Volumes
• Bharatiya Vivah Sansthecha Itihas (History of Indian matrimony)
• Dnyaneshwari (Editor)
• Mahikavatichi Bakhar (chronicle of Mahikavati aka Mahim in present-day Mumbai)-detailed analysis & publication.

References

• ‘Rajwade Lekhsangraha’ (Marathi) published by Sahitya Akademi

Further reading

• 'Vishwanath Kashinath Rajwade' by Prof. S. S. Puranik

External links

• Historian V K Rajawade's works to hit the stands at www.indianexpress.com
• Dr. Jyotsna Kamat on V.K. Rajwade
• www.sahyadribooks.org Books of VK Rajwade are available on this web site