Who Was Vishwanath Kashinath Rajwade?

Vishwanath Kashinath Rajwade: The Father of Indian Historical Research

Early Life and Education

Vishwanath Kashinath Rajwade was born on 24 June 1863 (some sources mention July) in the small village of Varsai in present-day Raigad district, Maharashtra. After losing his father at an early age, he was raised by his maternal uncle in Vadgaon near Pune. From childhood, he showed a remarkable curiosity for Indian history and literature. He completed his primary schooling in Pune and later joined the Deccan College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1890.

Rajwade was greatly influenced by scholars like R. G. Bhandarkar, and Marathi intellectuals such as Vishnushastri Chiplunkar. These influences shaped his academic rigor and lifelong commitment to the pursuit of authentic historical sources.

Turning Point and Personal Sacrifice

He briefly worked as a teacher in Pune but soon realized his true calling was historical research. He gave up his job to focus full-time on collecting original documents and studying India’s past. He got married in the early 1890s, but tragically, his wife died young. Deeply affected, Rajwade never remarried. Instead, he chose to dedicate his entire life to the service of history and knowledge.

Pioneer of Indian Historiography

During a time when most historical narratives about India were written by British or European scholars, Rajwade stood out as one of the first Indians to approach history from an indigenous perspective. He emphasized the use of primary sources—actual letters, documents, family records, and manuscripts—as opposed to relying on second-hand colonial texts.

Between 1898 and 1917, he published the monumental collection “Marāṭhyānchyā Itihāsācī Sādhane” (Sources of Maratha History), which compiled thousands of historical documents from across Maharashtra and other parts of India. These volumes are still considered some of the most reliable sources for Maratha and Indian history.

Rajwade travelled extensively to remote villages, meeting local families and scholars, requesting access to ancient letters, family documents, and temple archives. He walked miles on foot, often facing hunger and discomfort, but never gave up his mission. This tireless effort earned him the title “Itihāsāchārya” (Master of History).

A Revolutionary Historian

Rajwade did not merely collect documents. He interpreted them critically. He questioned narratives that glorified colonial rulers or painted Indian history in a negative light. He believed that history must be written by Indians based on facts and without blind nationalism.

One of his important contributions was his insistence that oral traditions, folk songs, and community stories should also be treated as historical evidence. At a time when such sources were dismissed by most scholars, Rajwade understood their cultural and historical value. This approach would later become common in modern historical methods.

Literary Contributions and Scholarship

Apart from historical research, Rajwade contributed immensely to Marathi literature and linguistic studies. He translated works of Western philosophers like Plato and Aristotle into Marathi to educate the local population. He also started a magazine named “Bhashantar” to promote such translations and build a bridge between Indian and Western scholarship.

He edited several ancient texts and chronicles like the “Mahikavatichi Bakhar”, an early Marathi historical narrative. His three-volume “Rajwade Lekhsangraha” is a collection of his critical essays on diverse topics—ranging from social reform to education to politics.

He also wrote a detailed study on the evolution of Indian marriage traditions called “Bhartiya Vivah Sansthecha Itihas” (The History of the Indian Marriage Institution), where he discussed ancient practices from the Vedic era and linked them to modern customs.

Institutional Legacy

In 1910, Rajwade established the Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal (BISM) in Pune, which became a central archive for historical documents in India. His followers and students—including noted historians like Datto Vaman Potdar—continued his legacy and contributed significantly to Indian historiography.

After his death in 1926, another research center named Rajwade Sanshodhak Mandal was founded in Dhule, where much of his unpublished material is still preserved. These institutions today house over 150,000 historical documents, thousands of books and manuscripts, and rare coins and artifacts.

Vision and Philosophy

Rajwade firmly believed that understanding history was crucial for national awareness and social progress. He argued that without knowing our past, we cannot shape a meaningful future. While he respected Western scholars, he rejected their bias and encouraged Indian youth to reclaim and rewrite their own history with truth and pride.

He was a strong advocate for using Indian languages in scholarship and warned against blindly imitating foreign ideas without contextual relevance. His philosophy combined academic discipline with cultural rootedness, making him a rare combination of a nationalist and a rationalist.

Awards and Recognition

Though he received little formal recognition during his lifetime, Rajwade’s contribution is now widely acknowledged. The Indian History Congress has instituted the Rajwade Award, given to scholars for lifetime contribution to Indian historical research.

In 2003, the Government of India released a commemorative postage stamp in his honour, acknowledging his unmatched service to Indian history.

Final Years and Death

V. K. Rajwade continued his work till his last breath. He died on 31 December 1926. Though physically weak in his final years, his mind remained sharp, and he left behind a legacy that still guides historical research in India.

Conclusion

Vishwanath Kashinath Rajwade was not just a historian; he was a visionary who redefined how Indians study and understand their past. In an age of colonial domination, he gave India its voice back—based on facts, not fiction. He taught generations of Indians the importance of truthful, unbiased, and indigenous historiography.

His life reminds us that dedication, honesty, and hard work can leave a lasting mark on society. Rajwade’s legacy is a beacon for all scholars, and his contribution will continue to inspire those who seek truth in history.