Krishna Kanta Handique

Krishna Kanta Handique (Xondikoi) was born on the 20th of July, 1898 in Jorhat town. He was a scholar of singular distinction, a pioneer Indologists and philanthropist whose life epitomized an era marked by sacrifice and diligence. It is for his monumental literary works that the world of letters will be ever indebted to Prof. Handique, who was one among the world's leading Sanskritists. His works NAISADHACARITA OF SRIHARSA published in 1934 and YASASTILAKA AND INDIAN CULTURE published in 1949 made him known to the eminent scholars of the world. The publications were received with appreciation both at home and abroad, particularly from leading Sankritists like Prof. A.B.Keith, Edinburgh; Prof. M.Winternitz, Prague; Prof. Oscar Botto, Turin and Prof. M.B.Emeneau, California.

Prof. Handique was the son of the illustrious Rai-Bahadur Radha Kanta Handique. Prof. Handique had his education at Cotton College, Guwahati (1913-15), Sanskrit College, Calcutta (1915-17), Calcutta University (1917-19), Oxford University, Paris University and Berlin University (1920-27). He studied and learnt many languages like Latin, Greek, French, German, Russion, Italian and Spanish. He had the distinction of knowing as many as 13 languages comprising of 8 European languages and 5 Indian languages including Pali and Prakrit.

Prof. Handique was the founder Vice-Chancellor of Guwahati University for nine years (1948-57). Prior to this he was the founder Principal of J.B. College, Jorhat (1930-48) and established the Hemolata Handique Memorial Institute in Jorhat. He is well known for his munificence to literary and educational foundations. He bequeathed his massive personal library to Guwahati University making available to the public rare and valuable books in 11 languages of the world. He also gave the copy right of all his books to Deccan College PG & Research Institute, Pune; The Jaina Samskriti Samrakshaka Sangh, Maharastra and Prakrit Test Society, Ahmedabad.

Krishna Kanta Handique was the President of Oxom Xaahitya Xobhaa (Assam Sahitya Sabha) during the Guwahati conference in 1937 at the young age of 39, President of Classical Sanskrit Section, XVI All India Oriental Conference, Lucknow in 1951 and was elected the general President of the Srinagar Session of the same in 1961. The Indian Posts and Telegraphs Dept. issued a commemorative stamp in honor of Prof. Handique on October 7, 1983.