Govind Sakharam Sardesai

Govind Sakharam Sardesai (May 17, 1865–November 29, 1959), popularly known as ‘Riyasatkar Sardesai’, was an eminent historian and writer in India. Through his ‘Riyasats’ written in Marathi he has presented an account of over 1000 years of the Indian history till 1848. ‘The New History of Marathas’ written in English by him in 3 volumes is supposed to be one of the most reliable sources of the history of Maratha Empire. He was the recipient of prestigious Padmabhushan Award of Government of India.

Early life

Sardesai was born in a middle class Brahmin family at village Gowil in Ratnagiri. After having completed his schooling at Ratnagiri and graduation at Pune and Mumbai he joined the service of the State of Baroda in 1889. He was appointed as ‘Reader’ and ‘Personal Clerk’ of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III and subsequently tutor of the royal princes. His homework as a tutor developed his interest for history.

Later life and contribution

With the help of the huge collection of books and historical papers in the royal library and also encouragement by the Maharaja himself, Sardesai could compile gigantic historical data and write several books. He also repeatedly accompanied the Maharaja during his trips to U.K., U.S.A. and Europe which doubtlessly helped him to broaden his outlook for history.

His greatest achievement was the eight volumes of ‘Marathi Riyasat’, three volumes of ‘Musalmani Riyasat’ and two volumes of ‘British Riyasat’.Eminent historian T S Shejwalkar worked as his assistant during this time. Sardesai is given credit for bringing Shejwalkar in the light by inserting his criticism as a preface of one of the volumes on Peshwas. Remarkably, views expressed by Shejwalkar were extremely opposite to those expressed by Sardesai in the said volume.

After having retired from Baroda state in 1925 Sardesai settled at village Kamshet near Pune. On request by Sir Jadunath Sarkar Bombay Government appointed him to take up the work of editing and publishing Peshwa Daftar. He thoroughly went through total 34972 bundles of papers comprising of 27332 bundles in Modi Marathi, 7482 in English, 29 Persian and 129 Gujrati. Soon he published 45 volumes of Peshwa Daftar containing 7801 pages and covering 8650 papers. Later on jointly with Sarkar he edited and published Poona Residency Correspondence containing 7193 pages and covering 4159 letters.At the age of 80 he wrote ‘The New History of Marathas’ in 3 volumes with the help of newly found sources. He died at Kamshet on 29th November 1959 at the age of 94.

His Works

*Musalmani Riyasat(Marathi)
*Marathi Riyasat(Marathi)
*British Riyasat(Marathi)
*Peshwas Daftar(Marathi)
*Poona Residency Correspondence(English)
*Main Currents of Maratha History (English)
*Aitihasik Vanshavali(Marathi)
*Aitihasik Gharani(Marathi)
*Aitihasik Patravyavahar (Marathi)
*Aitihasik Patrabodh (Marathi)
*Mahadaji Shinde Yanchi Patre (Marathi)
*Anupuran (Marathi)
*Paramanand Kavyam (Marathi)
*Sardesai Gharanyacha Itihas (Marathi)
*The New History of Marathas (English)
*Shyamkantachi Patre (Marathi)
*Mazi Sansaryatra (Marathi)

elect Honors and Acknowledgements

*1937 - Honored with title 'Rav Bahaddur'
*1946 - Golden Award with title 'Itihas Martand' at Dhule
*1947 - Honored by Baroda State
*1951 - President, Bharatiya Itihas Parishad
*1951 - Doctor of Literature conferred by University of Pune
*1957 - Padmabhushan by President of India

References

*Biography in ‘Marathi Riyasat’ Volume I
*Autobiography 'Mazi Sansaryatra'
*‘Shejwalkar Lekh Sangraha’ by T S Shejwalkar

ee also

*List of Historians
*List of historians by area of study
*List of Padmabhushan
*List of Marathi people
*Karhade Brahmin