Rahul Sankrityayan
1893–1963
Rahul Sankrityayan (1893–1963) was an extraordinary figure in Indian literature and scholarship, celebrated as the 'Father of Hindi Travel Literature.' Born as Kedarnath Pandey in the village of Pandaha in Uttar Pradesh, Sankrityayan’s insatiable curiosity led him on intellectual and physical journeys across Asia—including arduous explorations through Tibet, Central Asia, Russia, and Sri Lanka. Fluent in several languages and well-versed in diverse subjects ranging from Buddhist philosophy to Marxist theory, he authored over 150 books, leaving an indelible imprint on Hindi prose.
Initially ordained as a Buddhist monk, Sankrityayan combined spiritual pursuits with a rigorous dedication to social reform and history. His pioneering work 'Baeesween Sadi' (The Twenty-Second Century, 1924) stands among the earliest science fiction novels in Hindi, reflecting his forward-thinking imagination. Sankrityayan’s scholarship brought rare Buddhist manuscripts to India and redefined travel writing, while his vibrant accounts and progressive ideas continue to inspire generations of readers and thinkers.
