Jinvijay Muni

Muni Jinvijay (1888–1976), born Kishansinh Parmar, was a highly influential Jain scholar, Indologist, and archaeologist. He initially became a Śvētāmbara Jain monk, later renouncing monkhood to pursue an academic career at the invitation of Mahatma Gandhi. Muni Jinvijay studied Indology in Germany, participated in the Salt March, and held significant positions including Principal of the archaeology department at Gujarat Vidyapith, Professor at Shantiniketan, and head of archaeology at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. He was the founding director of the Rajasthan Oriental Research Institute from 1950, where he spearheaded the critical editing and publication of over 200 rare Sanskrit and Prakrit manuscripts, playing a pivotal role in making Jain and Sanskrit literature accessible. For his monumental contributions, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 1961. His extensive editorial work includes महोपाध्यायक्षमाकल्याणगणिविरचितफक्किकाव्यव्याख्यासमन्वित दीपिकाव्याख्यासमेताः तर्कसङ्ग्रहः (Tarka Sangraha Granthank 9), पण्डित रघुनाथकवि विरचित : प्राकृतानन्द (Prakritananda By Pandit Raghunath Kavi), महाकवि भोलानाथ विरचित : कर्णाकुतूहल (Karna Kutuhal By Mahakavi Bholanath), कवि विद्याराम विरचिता : रसदीर्घिका (Rasa Dirghika By Kavi Vidhyaram), काव्य प्रकाश (Kavya Prakash By Bhatt Someshwar Volume II), and श्रीमत् कविकलानिधि देवर्षि श्रीकृष्ण भट्ट विरचित : पद्यमुक्तावली (Padya Muktavali By Shrimat Kavikalanidhi Devarshi Shri Krishna Bhatt).