Eminent Sanskrit Scholar and Indologist NR Varhadpande has passed away at the age of 94 due to age related issues in Nagpur. He was famously known for his book titled Aryan Invasion: A Myth that exposes fallacy of Aryan invasion. The book is considered as one of the most profound works in changing the course of ancient Indian history. Varhadpande worked as the Chief Psychologist with the Ministry of Defence and was instrumental in devising various Psychological tests for the armed forces personnel.

He was also the President of Sanskrit Bhasha Pracharini Sabha for many years and the Founder Editor of the periodical Sanskrit Bhavitavyam. He championed the cause of providing education in mother language and promotion of Sanskrit language.

Facts about Sanskrit

• Sanskrit is among the world’s oldest languages.
• Sanskrit is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand.
• The oldest texts in Sanskrit (the Vedas) are among the oldest in the world, and are believed to have been orally preserved unchanged for more than 2 millennia.
• Sanskrit is the “mother” of the languages of North India and even the Romani language of the Romani people (“Gypsies”).
• Sanskrit is used extensively in the Carnatic and Hindustani branches of classical music.