Dr. Pandurang Vaman Kane (1880-1972) Commemoration

Honoring a Legendary Scholar and Bharat Ratna

The Pandurang Vaman Kane Commemorative Stamp issued by the Department of Posts pays tribute to one of India’s most distinguished Sanskrit scholars, Indologists, and jurists. Awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1963, Dr. P.V. Kane (1880–1972) remains an eternal source of inspiration for generations of students, researchers, and lovers of Indian culture. His monumental contributions to the study of Dharmashastra, Sanskrit poetics, and Indian law continue to shape academic and cultural discourse.

Early Life and Education

Born on May 7, 1880 in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, Dr. Pandurang Vaman Kane displayed extraordinary brilliance from a young age. By the age of 12, he had memorized 400 verses of Amarakosa. He went on to excel academically—earning a B.A. in Sanskrit, an M.A. with distinction, and an LL.B. and LL.M. in law. His academic achievements won him prestigious awards, including the Bhāu Daji Prize and Zala Vedanta Prize, setting the stage for his lifelong dedication to scholarship.

Scholar, Jurist, and Educator

While working as a teacher, Dr. Kane wrote award-winning essays on Indian epics and Alankara literature, earning Mandlik Gold Medals at Bombay University. In 1911, he began his legal practice and soon gained recognition as an authority on Hindu law, respected by both the Bench and Bar. Alongside his legal career, he pursued teaching, serving as Professor of Law at the Government Law College and Honorary Professor of Sanskrit at Wilson College.

Dr. Kane’s scholarship was deeply respected worldwide. His introduction to the Sahityadarpana of Vishwanatha impressed French scholar Sylvain Lévi, who encouraged him to write a full-fledged history of Sanskrit poetics. This resulted in expanded editions of Sahityadarpana and later his monumental research in Dharmashastra.

Monumental Contribution – History of Dharmashastra

Dr. Kane’s most celebrated work, the “History of Dharmashastra”, remains a cornerstone in the study of Indian culture, law, and religion. Spanning multiple volumes, it covers Mimamsa, poetics, astronomy, astrology, jurisprudence, and more. This magnum opus is considered one of the most comprehensive studies of ancient Indian tradition and continues to be cited by scholars and lawmakers.

Honors and Recognition

Dr. Kane was honored with the title Mahamahopadhyaya in 1942, became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bombay in 1947, and was twice nominated to the Rajya Sabha, where his interpretations of Hindu law shaped landmark legislations such as the Hindu Adoption Act and Hindu Succession Act. He was also appointed National Professor of Indology in 1959 and received the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship.

In 1963, India recognized his unparalleled contributions by conferring upon him the Bharat Ratna, the nation’s highest civilian award. He was deeply associated with institutions like the Asiatic Society of Bombay, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, and Deccan College, dedicating his life to the pursuit of knowledge.

The Commemorative Stamp

The Pandurang Vaman Kane Commemorative Stamp stands as a national salute to his legacy. More than just a philatelic issue, it symbolizes India’s respect for a visionary who bridged the worlds of tradition and modernity, law and literature, philosophy and practice.

Through this stamp, collectors and history enthusiasts are reminded of a towering intellectual whose work will forever remain central to the understanding of Indian culture and civilization.