Upendra Thakur- Makers of Indian Literature

Upendra Thakur (1929-1991) began his career as a teacher in Patna University in 1956 and worked as University Professor and Head of the Department of Ancient Indian and Asian Studies and also as Head of the Department of Buddhist studies at the Magadh University, Bodhgaya. He was also the Director of Nava Nalanda Mahavihar, Nalanda. One of the top historians of the world, Professor Dr. Upendra Thakur was a widely travelled scholar who visited major countries of the world including Germany, Italy, Austria, U.S.S.R., England, Egypt, Australia, Japan, U.S.A., and Sri Lanka in connection with lecture-tours, international conferences and seminars. He was nominated as a member of the internationally famous club of U.S.A., Explorers Club, New York in 1979 and awarded Akbar Silver Medal in 1980 by Numismatic Society of India. A renowned historian, Professor Thakur has published over thirty books and more than two hundred research papers including History of Mithila, Studies in Jainism and Buddhism in Mithila, The Hūņas in India, Madhubani Painting, Some Aspects of Asian History and Culture, Socio-economic Life in Early-mediaeval Mithila, Mithilaka Itihas (Maithili) and Mithilaka Lok Kala O Silpa Kalā (Maithili).

Shiva Kumar Mishra (b. 1965) began his career as a Research Associate in the Bihar Research Society, Patna (Now Research and Publication wing of the Patna Museum, Patna), since 1990 and has been working as Assistant Curator of Maharajadhiraj Lakshmiswar Singh Museum, Darbhanga. He worked on an international Research Project sponsored by B.P. Koirala India-Nepal Foundation named "Pāli Sahitya ke Adhara para Mithila ka Bhugola". He is the Editor of "Mithila Bharati" published by Maithili Sahitya Sansthan, Patna. His books are: Educational Ideas and Institutions in Ancient India and Mithila Rajya eka Aitihäsika Tathya. He produced more than 50 Research papers on the cultural heritage of Bihar with special reference to Mithila.

One of the leading historians of India, Professor Dr Upendra Thakur wrote a popular research book "History of Mithila" which inspired me to work on the subject "Educational ideas and institutions in Mithila", for my Ph.D. and his autobiography emboldened me to do research work on Mithila's history and culture.

Professor Thakur's books are very important for any researcher who is looking to work on the history and culture of both Mithila and Bihar. Mithila's political, social, cultural and folk tradition were his area of expertise and without the help of his books, it is impossible to do research on any of these topics.

None of the other historians paralleled the excellence of Professor Thakur in Bihar. Over 30 foreign scholars and over 100 national scholars completed their D.Litt. and Ph.D. degree under his direction. Their thesis topics ranged from ancient history to literature, Sociology and modern History. Professor Thakur did not limit himself to a definite time period or any definite field of research apart from publishing his research book and Journals, he mentored many experts, Professor Sureshwar Jha, Padmashree Dr. Usha Kiran Khan, Professor Indra Kant Jha, Professor Dr. Nagendra Jha and many famous scholars did their research works, under his supervision. According to Padmashree Usha Kiran Khan, without Professor Thakur's help she would not have been able to complete her graduation, making it impossible to get the degrees and recognitions that she has now.

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