Professor K.K. Handiqui: A scholar extraordinary

 Deba Prasad Misra

Commemorating the 127th birth anniversary of Professor Krishna Kanta Handiqui is both a privilege and a challenge, given the magnitude of his intellectual and erudite legacy. A scholar of unparalleled brilliance, his contributions as an Indologist, Sanskritist, and visionary educator continue to resonate across generations. As the founding Vice-Chancellor of Gauhati University and the founding principal of Jagannath Barua College, Jorhat, Prof. Handiqui shaped Assam’s academic landscape with his disciplined pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, and unwavering dedication. It is really an uphill task for me to write an article on this extraordinary genius. Yet through this tribute, I humbly honour an extraordinary and illustrious son of the state, whose timeless work continues to inspire and guide scholars and general readers worldwide.

Professor Krishna Kanta Handiqui was the eldest son of Rai-Bahadur Radha Kanta Handique, a reputed tea planter and philanthropist of Assam. His mother, Narayani Handiqui, was the sister of one of the illustrious sons of Assam, Padmanath Gohain Baruah, the first president of Axam Xahitya Xabaha. Handiqui had his early education at Jorhat Govt. High School and then at Cotton College, Guwahati. He got first class in B.A. (Hons.) at Sanskrit College in 1917 at the premature age of nineteen. In 1919, Handiqui got a first class in M.A. Sanskrit from Calcutta University with special papers on Vedic literature. Handiqui then proceeded to England in 1920 and did his M.A. in Oxford University with honours in modern history in 1923. During his seven-year period in Europe, Handiqui spent four years in France and Germany. He studied and learnt many languages, like Latin, Greek, French, German, Russian, Italian, and Spanish. Instead of going for higher degrees, he considered it worthwhile to learn as much of European literature and as many of European languages, including the mother tongue. When in Europe, he contributed occasionally important articles in Assamese to journals like ‘Banhi’ and ‘Cetna.’ His pioneering works in Assamese on Western literature and criticism acquainted the readers with various aspects of Spanish, Greek, Russian, and German literature. In 1927, Handiqui came back to Assam with a huge collection of books purchased during his stay in Europe. After coming back from abroad, Handiqui looked after the management of the family tea estate located at Tirual near Jorhat for some time.

An illustrious son of Assam, Prof. Handiqui was one of the greatest Indologists and Sanskritists in the world. He was a philanthropist and a polyglot. During his lifetime, he became a legendary figure. A strict disciplinarian in the domain of educational administration, he never thought of popularity, power, and fame. From 1930 to 1948, Handiqui served as the founding principal of Jagannath Baruah College, Jorhat, the first non-government college in the state. Subsequently, from 1948 to 1957, he became the founding Vice-Chancellor of Gauhati University, the oldest university in the Northeast. In 1952, he was elected the president of the Inter-University Board of India and also presided over the vice-chancellors’ conference at Madras University. The unique fame of Prof. Handiqui lies on three of his monumental works. The first was the English translation of the Sanskrit Maha Kavya “Naisadhacarita” of Sriharsa. Published in 1934 as the first-ever translation, which immediately made Prof. Handiqui known to the whole world. “Naisadha Carita,” composed in the twelfth century, is the toughest of all Indian epics.

 “Yasatilaka and Indian Culture,” the second monumental work of Prof. Handiqui, earned him more prominence. Handiqui’s third monumental work, “Pravarasena’s Setubanhi,” was published by the Prakrit Text Society. Indeed, Prof. Handiqui’s critical translation of Pravarasena’s Setubandha is one of the few works that mark the highest achievement in the major literary genre of Mahakavya.

Prof. K.K. Handiqui was a scholar of singular distinction and a philanthropist whose life epitomised an era marked by sacrifice, diligence, and devotion to high principles. Addressing the young graduates in the first convocation of Gauhati University, he said, “I need not remind them of the nascent responsibilities and the great tradition they have to carry forward as worthy citizens of India. They must remember that it is not degrees but character and purity of the heart that will entitle them to the dignity of man. In a world full of temptations, they have to keep their balance and resist the forces of evil.” Regarding the extraordinary personality of Prof. Handiqui, Dr. Radhakrishan said in the first convocation address of Gauhati University, addressing the student community, “Your Vice-Chancellor is not simply a Vice-Chancellor; he is a scholar of international repute.”

Handiqui is widely known for his translation and critical studies of ancient Indian texts. Justice S.K. Dutta, an educationist of repute and a close associate of Handiqui, aptly remarked, “Handiqui was, on one hand, a Sanskrit Pandit; on the other hand, an Oxford don. There was a beautiful blend of oriental and occidental culture in him.” In spite of his indifferent attitude to fame, recognition, etc., laurels, accolades, and recognition followed his illustrious career. He was made president of the Axam Sahitya Xabha in 1937 at the age of thirty-nine and president of the Classical Oriental Conference, Lucknow, in 1951 and was elected the general president of the Srinagar Session of the same in 1961. He was awarded an honorary fellowship of Deccan College, Poona, in 1968. He received the honorary D. Litt. degree of Gauhati University in 1968 and that of Dibrugarh University in 1972. In 1984, the Sahitya Akademi Award was presented to Prof. Handiqui posthumously. He was made the first “Sadashya Mahiyan” of the Axam Xahitya Xabha, the rare honour conferred on scholars of exceptional merit. Prof. Handiqui laid importance on moral excellence, and his character and reputation may be summed up by a quote of Setubandha, “Rare are the honest persons who silently achieve their tasks. Few also are the trees that yield fruit without their following being noticed” (Setubandha III, 9). This internationally acclaimed Indologist passed away on June 7, 1982. Today, on the day of his 127th birth anniversary, I pay my sincere tribute to this illustrious son of Assam.