By K K Singh
Darbhanga (Magnificent Bihar): Thanks to the efforts of some intellectuals and academic organisations, the rich History of Bihar still holds dear in the memories of its residents. While reminiscing the role of a linguistic of repute and the Indian Civil Services ( ICS ) officer for his contributions to different languages and literature, particularly of local dimension during his postings in different parts of the country in his services during British Raj period, particularly in Bihar, the Maharajdhiraj Kameshwar Singh Kalyani Foundation, under the Bihar Heritage series has decided to come up with a book of Grierson, titled “Notes on district of Gaya “, written by him. The book will be released at the Foundation day function of the Foundation at Darbhanga on November 28, to mark the birth Anniversary of late Maharaja of Darbhanga Kameshwar Singh.
Work of Grierson in the field of language and literature as well as culture is still being remembered in Mithilanchal zone when Grierson was posted as sub-divisional Magistrate of Madhubani subdivision of joint Darbhanga district in 1870s. Maithili language and literature will be indebted to Grierson’s contributions. Practically, Grierson during his posting had written first grammar of Maithili language and literature. Script of Maithili, similar to Bengali script was also adopted vigorously during his time of posting as Maithili language and literature was at the top of the Indian languages during those days, thanks to research done by him on the culture and lanugage-Maithili. Impact of Maithili language and literature since the time of well known poet Vidyapati, a parallel of Kalidas was at a height that none would have imagined. The depth of Maithili language and literature as propounded by Grierson is unparalleled. There is a market in the memory of Grierson in Madhubani now called “Gilesan market”. It is a market mainly of fruits and vegetables and other essentials reminscicing the people of the role of Grierson during his posting in Madhubani and Mithilanchal. Highlighting of Maithili culture was his most pioneering work being a British! Not only that Grierson had laid foundation of land reforms in Bihar and had exhorted big land holders to part with their surplus land for the landless!
During his posting in joint Gaya district in 1880 as collector Grierson had written a book, titled, “Notes on the district of Gaya”, depicting the culture, folklore, Magahi language and Literature etc in the context of not only Gaya but whole Bihar. The book, which was available in the market till 1944, is now not available. His pioneering work as mentioned in the book is being written and will be released soon. His important works include Linguistic Survey of India and Bihar peasants’ Life. In this very book , Grierson had highlighted about land reforms in Bihar, which is lamentably yet to see the light of the day even after India achieved independence in 1947. It is said that Grierson had travelled extensively throughout India, particularly Bihar to get authentic information on culture, civilization, languages and literatures of each and every part of India!
The foundation, after great efforts of Maharani Kalyani Devi, has procured a book on Gaya by Grierson from the India office Library, London, for reprinting it with fresh copies for the benefits of reaserchers and academicians for research on various topics in the present day context, Maharani Kalyani Devi told this journalist on telephone. Set up in 1989, the Foundation had started collecting Bihar heritage series in 1996. Under these series, the Foundation publishes only those books, which had given significant account of Bihar in almost all the sectors for the benefit of knowledge seekers and researchers. The Foundation has website www.kalyanifoundation.org on which rare manuscripts of Maithili culture, Maithili language and also pioneering work on Sanskrit literature which have been done in the past hundreds of years are available.
