Amaranatha Jha (25 February 1897 – 2 September 1955) was the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Allahabad and the Banaras Hindu University.[1][2][3] He was the son of Mahamahopadhyay Dr. Sir Ganganath Jha, a great scholar of Sanskrit Amaranatha Jha was reputed as the ablest professor of English literature in India of his time.[4] He was Head of the Department of English at the University of Allahabad for a long time, being appointed to the post at the young age of thirty-two. He succeeded his father as Vice-Chancellor of the Allahabad University of the Banaras Hindu University in succession to Dr. Radhakrishnan.[4]
He worked as Vice Chairman of the committee for the project leading to the establishment of the National Defence Academy.[5] He was one amongst eminent dignitaries associated with the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sanstahan, Allahabad.[6] At the end of his academic career, he was made the Chairman of the Bihar Public Service Commission (1 April 1953 – 1 September 1955).[7][4]
Honours
In 1910-11 the Muir Hostel was constructed. Allahabad University renamed it as "Amarnath Jha Hostel" to pay him regards.[8][9] hostels' history say that Dr. Amarnath Jha as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Allahabad was himself also the warden of the Muir Hostel.
He was among the first recipients of the civilian honour of Padma Bhushan (1954).[10]
Personal life
Dr. Amarnath Jha was born in a Maithil Shrotriya Brahmin family of Mithila ( Sarisab-Pahi ) in Bihar. He died at an early age of fifty nine on 2 September 1955 at Patna.[4]
Dr. Amarnath Jha was a great scholar, a consummate speaker and an administrator par excellence. In 1920, he edited the 15th century's famous Sanskrit literature text "Rasarnava" written by the eminent Sanskrit scholar Sankara Mishra.[11]
References
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