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Motilal Banarsidass | HearLore
Motilal Banarsidass
Lala Motilal Jain borrowed just 27 rupees from his wife's knitting savings to launch a bookshop in Lahore's Said Mitha Bazar in 1903. This modest sum, earned through her daily labor, became the seed capital for what would evolve into one of the world's most significant publishers of Sanskrit and Indological texts. The family, descendants of court jewellers to Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Amritsar, had already established a reputation for craftsmanship and trustworthiness, yet their entry into the literary world was anything but grand. The shop, named after Motilal's eldest son, Motilal Banarsidass Jain, focused exclusively on selling Sanskrit books, a niche that seemed obscure to the general public but held immense value for scholars and spiritual seekers. The early years were marked by quiet determination, as the family navigated the complexities of the Indian book trade without the backing of major investors or government support. The decision to specialize in Sanskrit texts was a bold move, given the limited audience for such works at the time, but it laid the foundation for a legacy that would span over a century.
A Family Legacy in Motion
The death of Lala Banarasidass in 1912 sent shockwaves through the family business, forcing his only surviving brother, Sundarlal Jain, to close the Amritsar branch and relocate to Lahore to manage the family enterprise. This pivotal moment tested the resilience of the family, as they faced the dual challenges of grief and the practical demands of running a growing business. Sundarlal was soon joined by his young nephew, Shantilal Jain, who had just finished school and would eventually rise to become the company's chairman. The addition of Shantilal brought a new generation of energy and vision to the firm, which began to expand its operations beyond mere book selling. A printing unit was established, transforming the business from a retail outlet into a full-fledged publishing house. This shift allowed the family to take control of the entire production process, ensuring the quality and authenticity of their publications. The decision to print in-house was a strategic move that would later distinguish Motilal Banarsidass from other publishers, allowing them to maintain high standards and produce specialized texts that were otherwise unavailable.
The Partition Exodus
The Partition of India in 1947 brought catastrophic changes to the family's business, as a riot in Lahore destroyed their original shop and forced them to flee their ancestral home. The family initially sought refuge in Bikaner and Patna, but the instability of the region prompted them to move to Varanasi in 1950, where they set up a new shop in 1951. Varanasi, a city steeped in spiritual and scholarly traditions, provided a fitting environment for their work, but it was not enough to sustain the growing business. In 1958, the family made the decision to shift their base to Delhi, a move that would prove to be a turning point in their history. The relocation to Delhi allowed them to tap into a larger market and establish closer ties with academic institutions and government bodies. The move also coincided with a period of increased interest in Indian philosophy and culture, as the newly independent nation sought to reclaim its intellectual heritage. The family's ability to adapt to these changing circumstances demonstrated their resilience and commitment to their mission, even in the face of immense personal and professional challenges.
When did Motilal Banarsidass start as a bookshop in Lahore?
Motilal Banarsidass started as a bookshop in Lahore in 1903. Lala Motilal Jain borrowed 27 rupees from his wife's knitting savings to launch the shop in Said Mitha Bazar.
Who founded the Motilal Banarsidass publishing house?
Lala Motilal Jain founded the Motilal Banarsidass publishing house. The shop was named after his eldest son, Motilal Banarsidass Jain, and focused exclusively on selling Sanskrit books.
Where did Motilal Banarsidass relocate after the Partition of India in 1947?
Motilal Banarsidass relocated to Delhi in 1958 after the Partition of India in 1947. The family initially sought refuge in Bikaner and Patna before moving to Varanasi in 1950 and setting up a new shop in 1951.
When was Shantilal Jain awarded the Padma Shri by the government of India?
Shantilal Jain was awarded the Padma Shri by the government of India in 1992. This honor marked the first time a publishing house received such recognition for outstanding community service through publishing.
How many titles does the Motilal Banarsidass catalog include today?
The Motilal Banarsidass catalog includes over 30,000 titles today. These works cover subjects ranging from Sanskrit grammar to Indian philosophy, Buddhism, and yoga.
What percentage of Motilal Banarsidass turnover comes from exports?
Approximately 75% of Motilal Banarsidass turnover comes from exports. This international reach allows the company to connect with scholars and institutions around the world.
In 1992, Shantilal Jain was awarded the Padma Shri by the government of India, marking the first time a publishing house had received such an honor for outstanding community service through publishing. This recognition was a testament to the family's decades of dedication to preserving and promoting Indian knowledge systems, particularly in the fields of Sanskrit, Buddhism, and Indology. The award highlighted the importance of their work, which had often been overlooked by mainstream media and academic circles. Shantilal's leadership had transformed the company into a global force, with a turnover of approximately 5 to 6 crore rupees, 75% of which came from exports. The family's commitment to quality and scholarship was evident in their extensive catalog, which included over 30,000 titles covering a wide range of subjects. The Padma Shri was not just an individual accolade but a validation of the family's lifelong effort to make Indian knowledge accessible to scholars and students around the world. It also served as a reminder of the importance of preserving cultural heritage in an era of rapid modernization and globalization.
The Centenary Celebration
In 2003, the company celebrated its centenary with a grand function in Chennai, where Kanchi Sankaracharya, Jayendra Saraswathi, honored three Sanskrit scholars: R. Balasubramaniam, B.M.K. Sharma, and K.V. Sharma. The event was a celebration of the family's 100-year journey, marked by their unwavering commitment to the study and dissemination of Indian knowledge. The centenary was also marked by a function in Bangalore, where Governor of Karnataka, T.N. Chaturvedi, felicitated centenarian Sudhakar Chaturvedi, S.M.S. Chari, and B.K. Krishnamurthy of Hyderabad for their contributions to Indology. Astrologer B.V. Raman was honored posthumously, highlighting the family's respect for the diverse fields of Indian scholarship. The celebrations were a testament to the enduring legacy of the family, which had grown from a small bookshop in Lahore to a global publishing house with a vast catalog of scholarly works. The centenary also served as a reminder of the family's ability to adapt to changing times while maintaining their core values and mission.
The In-House Printing Revolution
Today, Motilal Banarsidass is one of the few large publishing houses in the world that maintains its own in-house printing unit, a feature that sets it apart from its competitors. This decision, made decades ago, has allowed the company to produce high-quality publications that meet the rigorous standards of academic and scholarly communities. The in-house printing unit has enabled the family to control the entire production process, from editing to printing, ensuring that their publications are accurate and authentic. The company's catalog includes over 30,000 titles, covering a wide range of subjects, from Sanskrit grammar to Indian philosophy, and from Buddhism to yoga. The family's commitment to quality is evident in their extensive catalog, which includes works such as the 100 volumes of the Mahapuranas, the 50 volumes of the Sacred Books of the East edited by Max Müller, and the 30 volumes of Bibliotheca Buddhica. The in-house printing unit has also allowed the company to produce specialized texts that are otherwise unavailable, making them a vital resource for scholars and students around the world.
The Global Reach of Indian Knowledge
The company's publications have reached a global audience, with approximately 75% of its turnover coming from exports. This international reach has been a testament to the family's ability to connect with scholars and institutions around the world, making Indian knowledge accessible to a diverse range of readers. The company's catalog includes works such as the 100 volumes of the Mahapuranas, the 50 volumes of the Sacred Books of the East edited by Max Müller, and the 30 volumes of Bibliotheca Buddhica. These publications have been instrumental in preserving and promoting Indian knowledge systems, particularly in the fields of Sanskrit, Buddhism, and Indology. The family's commitment to quality and scholarship is evident in their extensive catalog, which includes works such as the 100 volumes of the Mahapuranas, the 50 volumes of the Sacred Books of the East edited by Max Müller, and the 30 volumes of Bibliotheca Buddhica. The company's global reach has also allowed them to collaborate with organizations such as the Indian Council of Historical Research, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, further enhancing their impact on the global academic community.