Dr. Bhagwati Lal Rajpurohit | Rajpurohit Encyclopedia Profile

Dr. Bhagwatilal Rajpurohit (born 2 November 1943) is an Indian scholar, playwright, educator, and cultural historian, widely recognized for his contributions to Indian literature, Sanskrit drama, and the preservation of India's ancient cultural and linguistic heritage. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has published over a hundred books, deciphered ancient inscriptions, and played a key role in reviving interest in historical and literary figures such as Vikramaditya, Kalidasa, and Raja Bhoj. In 2024, he was conferred the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards, by the Government of India for his distinguished service in the field of literature and education.

Dr. Rajpurohit was born on 2 November 1943 in the village of Chandodiya, in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh, India. He was raised in a traditional cultural environment, which deeply influenced his lifelong commitment to Indian heritage. He pursued higher education in multiple disciplines, earning Master's degrees in Sanskrit, Hindi, Ancient Indian History, and Culture. He completed his Ph.D. from Vikram University, Ujjain.

Proficient in several classical and regional languages—including Hindi, Sanskrit, Prakrit, Pali, Apabhramsha, and Malwi—Dr. Rajpurohit is celebrated for his linguistic expertise and deep knowledge of ancient Indian texts and scripts.

Dr. Rajpurohit has held several notable academic and administrative positions. He served as the Director of the Maharaja Vikramaditya Research Institute, Ujjain, and as a Professor of Hindi at Sandipani Mahavidyalaya, Ujjain. His scholarly reputation is particularly noted for the authenticity and depth of his research.

One of his most significant academic contributions is his work establishing the historical existence of King Vikramaditya, the initiator of the Vikram Samvat calendar, by correlating literary references with archaeological evidence. He has also researched the origins of major ancient Indian scholars and texts, including identifying the birthplace of Patanjali.

Dr. Rajpurohit is well-known for deciphering ancient Indian inscriptions, particularly those written in Brahmi and other historical scripts. His research has unearthed copper plate inscriptions and other vital documents related to Indian cultural and linguistic evolution.

A prolific playwright and translator, Dr. Rajpurohit has authored over fifty plays in Sanskrit, Hindi, and Malwi, many of which have been performed on stage. His works depict both mythological and historical themes, including:

• Emperor Vikramaditya

• Kalidascharitam

• Shree Krishna Ujjaini

• Mahadev

• Raja Bhoj

• Meera

• Shankutalotra

• Kaikayi

He has also dramatized the lives of Indian freedom fighters, such as Rana Pratap, Rani Durgavati, Chatrala, Bakhtawar Singh, and Tatya Tope.

Dr. Rajpurohit translated all of Kalidasa’s plays and the celebrated work Meghadoot into Malwi. He also rendered Meghadoot and Ritusamhara into Hindi songs, further contributing to regional literary accessibility. Among his notable novels are Vidyottama (Hindi) and Lastakah (Sanskrit).

Dr. Rajpurohit is an active participant in cultural festivals such as the Bhartrihari Utsav, Vikramaditya Utsav, Bhoj Utsav, and Kalidas Samaroh. He played a foundational role in establishing the Rajpurohit Ashram in Ujjain and the Malwi Kala Sanskriti Sansthan, both dedicated to cultural preservation and education.

Dr. Bhagwatilal Rajpurohit has received numerous awards in recognition of his scholarly and cultural contributions, including:

• Padma Shri, Government of India (2024)

• Kalidas Award (1963, 1964)

• Bhoj Award, Madhya Pradesh Sanskrit Academy (1986, 1990, 1992, 2000)

• Bal Krishna Sharma Navin Puraskar, Madhya Pradesh Sahitya Parishad (1990)

• Dr. Radhakrishna Award, Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Grant Commission (1990, 1992)

• Sanskrit Shikhar Samman, Madhya Pradesh Government (2023)

• Amrit Award, Sangeet Natak Akademi, Delhi (2023)

Dr. Rajpurohit's lifelong work has had a profound impact on the revival of interest in India's ancient cultural, literary, and linguistic traditions. His contributions continue to inspire scholars, dramatists, and cultural enthusiasts across India.