Dr. Hiralal (1867-1934)

Commemorative Stamp: Dr. Hiralal

Design Elements:

• Central Image: A distinguished portrait of Dr. Hiralal, reflecting his scholarly demeanor.
• Background: Elements representing his work in history, archaeology, and linguistics, such as ancient inscriptions, archaeological artifacts, and manuscripts.
• Symbols: Iconography associated with his contributions to education and literature, including books, scrolls, and gramophone recordings.

Cultural and Historical Significance:

Dr. Hiralal was born on 1st October 1867 in Katni and graduated in science from Government College, Jabalpur, in 1888. He served the Government in various capacities, including as a teacher, science instructor, Inspector of Schools, Famine Relief Officer, Extra Assistant Commissioner, and in census work across several regions including Raipur, Sangor, Balaghat, Nagpur, Jabalpur, and Chhattisgarh.

In 1910, Dr. Hiralal completed the District Gazetteers of Madhya Pradesh in Hindi, pioneering such efforts in other provinces. His significant contributions in the fields of history and archaeology were recognized with the title of ‘Rai Bahadur’ by the Government. His notable research, “Inscriptions” (1914), and the comprehensive reference work “The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India” (co-authored with Russell), are acclaimed both in India and abroad.

Dr. Hiralal conducted a linguistic survey of the Central Provinces, making gramophone recordings of aboriginal dialects under the guidance of Sir George A. Grierson. He was also a respected Hindi writer, known for the purity and style of his language. In 1922, he became the permanent Deputy Commissioner at Narsinghpur, retiring the same year to settle in Katni. There, he compiled a “Descriptive Catalogue of Sanskrit and Prakrit Manuscripts in the Central Provinces,” uncovering over 8,000 manuscripts.

His association with Nagpur University from its inception led to the establishment of the “Hindi Sahitya Parishad” and the recognition of Hindi for graduate and postgraduate courses. Despite declining the Vice Chancellorship of the University, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Literature degree in 1933 for his contributions to education. Dr. Hiralal presided over the Sixth All India Oriental Conference in Patna (1932) and represented India at the Archaeological Conference in London (1933). He was also President of the “Nagari Pracharini Sabha” and led the ethnographical section of the Science Congress held in Nagpur and Madras.

A distinguished historian, Dr. Hiralal contributed numerous articles to journals such as “Indian Antiquary,” “Epigraphia Indica,” and “The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society,” and served as an honorary correspondent in archaeology to the Government of India. He passed away on 19th August 1934, leaving a lasting legacy in history, archaeology, and education.

Usage:

The stamp honors Dr. Hiralal’s extensive contributions to Indian history, archaeology, linguistics, and education. It pays tribute to his pioneering research, dedication to preserving ancient manuscripts, and efforts in promoting Hindi literature.

Example of the Stamp Design:

• Main Stamp: Featuring a dignified portrait of Dr. Hiralal, capturing his scholarly nature and commitment to knowledge.
• Supplementary Stamps:
• One stamp depicting ancient inscriptions and archaeological artifacts, symbolizing his contributions to history and archaeology.
• Another showcasing manuscripts and books, representing his work in cataloging Sanskrit and Prakrit manuscripts.
• A third stamp illustrating gramophone recordings and linguistic surveys, highlighting his linguistic research.

Significance:

This commemorative stamp set highlights Dr. Hiralal’s profound impact on Indian scholarship, his dedication to preserving cultural heritage, and his contributions to education and literature. It aims to inspire future generations to pursue knowledge and contribute to the preservation of cultural and historical legacies.