Spiritual, Selfless, Scholar
There is a famous adage in Hindi, which essentially means that wealth and literature do not go hand in hand. This is a general belief that writers do not care a dime for wealth while the rich has no understanding of the literature.
However, there are always exceptions to the conventional wisdom. And, Agarchand Nahata is one of them. Despite coming from a wealthy family and himself a successful businessman, he was truly the son of saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. Though, he was born in a business family but he devoted himself to literature and education.
Nahata was not just a historian but a legend unto himself. One of the top littérateurs, thinkers and historians of Rajasthan, he was undoubtedly the nation’s pride. He was a rare combination of a businessman, scholar and a spiritual man.
A renowned thinker and highly learned man of ancient studies, Nahata dedicated his life to explore and research umpteen unknown books of Rajasthani language and literature. In doing so, he became a walking encyclopedia whom researchers from across the globe would approach for guidance. He was so enamored with books and knowledge that he set up a private library ‘Abhay Jain Granthalaya.’
Nahata himself wrote more than 7000 research papers, edited well above 100 books and researched rare manuscripts of not just Prakrit, Apbhransh and Rajasthani but also of Jain literature. He also discovered more than one lakh handwritten manuscripts and published unknown books.
He also served as director of ‘Shardul Rajasthani Shodh Sanstha’, Bikaner and ‘Rajasthani Sahitya Parishad’, Kolkata. He fought hard to get a place for Rajasthani in 8th schedule of the constitution. If Rajasthani was recognised by ‘Kendriya Sahitya Akadami’ and given the status of an independent literary language, It was due to his efforts.
Nahata also initiated an award ‘Shankardan Nahata Puraskar’named after his father to promote and inspire new writers. He also inspired his nephew (son of his sister) Hajarimal Banthia to establish an award in the name of latter’s father Phoolchand Banthia.
It is not surprising then for him to be considered as the most prominent personality of the Rajasthani literary world. He was always at the forefront among the scholars of ancient studies. It goes without saying that the Jain community too saw him as its leading light. Many organizations honoured him. Jain Siddhant Bhawan, Aara conferred him with ‘Siddhantacharya’, Jinduttsuri Sangh bestowed upon him the title of ‘Jain Itihas Ratna’ and Rajasthan Bhasha Prachar Sabha awarded ‘Rajasthan Sahitya Vachaspati.’
Besides, authors of other vernacular languages also praised and felicitated him in recognition of his literary work.