On 19 October 1946, Pandurang Vaman Kane delivered a momentous speech at the 13th Session of the All India Oriental Conference at Nagpur. In it, he clairvoyantly predicted the impending destruction of Sanskrit learning and Indology after India attained Independence. It has come true in a nightmarish
In the late 19th century, a traditional Sanskrit Pathashala in a village near Kolar had come under the British axe. Hormusji J Bhabha, grandfather of the famous Homi J. Bhabha, saved it from total destruction.
In the final episode of this series, we consider K.M. Munshi's eightfold formula for revitalising Sanskrit studies in the early years of Indian independence. The formula largely holds valid even today.
The second part of this series narrates how the Sanatana Community kept Sanskrit alive during oppressive Islamic regimes by maintaining Pathashalas. The era of universities established during British rule gave a huge boost for Sanskrit revival.