Rahul Sankrityayan was one of the greatest scholars, writers, travelers, and thinkers of modern India. He is widely known as the “Father of Hindi Travel Literature.” He was born on 9 April 1893 in Azamgarh district, Uttar Pradesh. His original name was Kedarnath Pandey.
Rahul Sankrityayan was a lifelong seeker of knowledge. He mastered many languages, including Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit, Tibetan, Persian, Arabic, and several modern Indian and foreign languages. His deep interest in history, philosophy, religion, and culture led him to travel extensively across India, Central Asia, Tibet, China, Sri Lanka, and Europe. He believed that travel is essential for intellectual growth, famously saying, “Ghoomne se hi manushya ka vikas hota hai” (Human development comes through travel).
He made significant contributions to Hindi literature, history, philosophy, archaeology, and Buddhist studies. His travelogues such as Tibet Mein Sava Varsh, Asia ke Durgam Bhukhando Mein, and Volga se Ganga are considered classics. Through his writings, he connected Indian civilization with global history and inspired rational, scientific thinking.
Rahul Sankrityayan was also associated with the Indian freedom movement and socialist ideology. He strongly opposed superstition, caste discrimination, and blind faith, advocating rationalism and social equality.
He passed away on 14 April 1963. Rahul Sankrityayan is remembered as a fearless intellectual, tireless traveler, and revolutionary thinker whose works continue to inspire curiosity, scholarship, and a spirit of exploration in Indian literature and thought.