Veteran Historian

Veteran historian Prof Satish Chandra aged 95 passed away today; he was a phenomenal scholar of international standing. His study and research of Moghul Period and Medieval India is widely followed among students and researchers. He served for a long duration as a faculty member of University of Rajasthan, I remember till mid-seventies (University of Rajasthan was given the current name in 1956 earlier it was Rajputana University) and during 1960’s the University of Rajasthan had some outstanding scholars of National and International repute in its faculty. I am able to recollect some of the spectacular personalities namely :- Prof MV Mathur- distinguish economist, Prof Rajkrishna who coined the most famous phrase “ The Hindu rate of growth “ wrote extensively on growth, investment and poverty, Prof Raja Chellaiah laid out agenda for National Tax Reform committee. Prof Emiratis CP Bhambri later joined JNU, a fine orator on political science. Prof RC Mehrotra analytical and organometallic chemist was also associated with Royal Institute of chemistry Uk, later became VC of Delhi university. Prof PN Srivastava, Radiation Biologist of international repute- later became VC of JNU,Prof VV John - English literature, Prof Dayakrishna, Prof IqbalNarain deptt of political science later on became VC of BHU and several more distinguished scholars. I used to hear their debates and lectures in the campus. I would also like to mention about Prof Ziauddin Khan Dean of Public Administration, he was pioneer in Teaching of “Public Administration “in India. During 1967-68 he introduced the first batch of BA (Honours) a three year graduate course in Public Administration with limited students - I had the privilege of being his student of the first batch and Prof Khan made himself available for lecture on the subject “Organisation and Management “Jaipur was indeed a place of reckoning even 60 years ago in developing the education by establishing some fine institutes.