Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi: Difference between revisions

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{{Use Indian English|date=August 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox officeholder  
{{Infobox officeholder
| name               = K. M. Munshi
| image               = K M Munshi.jpg
| image              = K M Munshi.jpg
| caption             = Munshi in June 1950
| caption           = Munshi in his early sixties.
| office1             = [[Governor of Uttar Pradesh]]
| order              = 2nd
| 1blankname1         = Chief Minister
| office             = Governor of Uttar Pradesh
| 1namedata1         = [[Govind Ballabh Pant]]<br/>[[Sampurnanand]]
| 1blankname         = Chief Minister  
| term_start1         = 2 June 1952
| 1namedata         = [[Govind Ballabh Pant]]<br/>[[Sampurnanand]]
| term_end1           = 9 June 1957
| term_start         = 2 June 1952  
| predecessor1       = [[Homi Mody]]
| term_end           = 9 June 1957
| successor1         = [[V. V. Giri]]
| predecessor       = [[Homi Mody]]
| office              = [[Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare|Union Minister of Food and Agriculture]]
| successor         = [[Varahagiri Venkata Giri]]
| primeminister      = [[Jawaharlal Nehru]]
| office1            = 3rd [[Ministry of Agriculture (India)|Minister of Agriculture]]
| term_start          = 13 May 1950
| primeminister1    = [[Jawaharlal Nehru]]
| term_end            = 13 May 1952
| term_start1        = 13 May 1950
| predecessor        = [[Jairamdas Daulatram]]
| term_end1          = 13 May 1952
| successor          = [[Rafi Ahmed Kidwai]]
| predecessor1      = [[Jairamdas Daulatram]]
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|df=y|1887|12|30}}
| successor1        = [[Rafi Ahmed Kidwai]]
| birth_place         = [[Bharuch]], [[Bombay Presidency]], [[British India]]
| birth_date         = {{Birth date|df=y|1887|12|30}}
| death_date         = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1971|2|8|1887|12|30}}
| birth_place       = [[Bharuch]], [[Bombay Presidency]], [[British India]]
| death_place         = [[Bombay]],  [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| death_date         = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1971|2|8|1887|12|30}}
| occupation         = [[Freedom fighter]], politician, lawyer, writer
| death_place       = [[Mumbai]],  [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| alma_mater         = [[Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda|Baroda College]]<ref>{{cite web |title=IndianPost – KANHAIYALAL M MUNSHI |url=http://indianpost.com/viewstamp.php/Paper/Unwatermarked%20Gummed%20coated%20stamp%20paper/KANHAIYALAL%20M%20MUNSHI |website=indianpost.com |access-date=16 October 2018 |archive-date=1 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401162141/https://www.indianpost.com/viewstamp.php/Paper/Unwatermarked%20Gummed%20coated%20stamp%20paper/KANHAIYALAL%20M%20MUNSHI |url-status=live }}</ref>
| occupation         = [[Freedom fighter]], politician, lawyer, writer
| known_for           = Founder of [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]] (1938)<br />Home Minister of [[Bombay State]] (1937–40)<br />Agent-General of India in [[Hyderabad State]] (1948)<br />Member of the [[Constituent Assembly of India]]<br />Member of Parliament<br />Minister for Agriculture & Food (1952–53)
| alma_mater         = [[Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda|Baroda College]]<ref>{{cite web |title=IndianPost – KANHAIYALAL M MUNSHI |url=http://indianpost.com/viewstamp.php/Paper/Unwatermarked%20Gummed%20coated%20stamp%20paper/KANHAIYALAL%20M%20MUNSHI |website=indianpost.com |publisher=indianpost.com |access-date=16 October 2018}}</ref>
| party               = [[Swaraj Party]], [[Indian National Congress]], [[Swatantra Party]], [[Jan Sangh]]
| known_for         = Founder of [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]] (1938)<br />Home Minister of [[Bombay State]] (1937–40)<br />Agent-General of India in [[Hyderabad State]] (1948)<br />Member of the [[Constituent Assembly of India]]<br />Member of Parliament<br />Minister for Agriculture & Food (1952–53)<br />
| spouse             = {{plainlist|
| party             = [[Swaraj Party]], [[Indian National Congress]], [[Swatantra Party]], [[Jan Sangh]]
* {{marriage|Atilakshmi Pathak|1900|1924|end=her death}}
| spouse             = {{marriage|Atilakshmi Pathak|1900|1924|end=her death}}, {{marriage|[[Lilavati Munshi|Leelavati Sheth]]|1926}}
* {{marriage|[[Lilavati Munshi|Leelavati Sheth]]|1926}}
| children           = Jagadish Munshi, Sarla Sheth, Usha Raghupathi, Lata Munshi, Girish Munshi
}}
| module           = {{Infobox writer
| children           = Jagadish Munshi, Sarla Sheth, Usha Raghupathi, Lata Munshi, Girish Munshi
| module             = {{Infobox writer
| embed            = yes
| embed            = yes
| pseudonym        = Ghanshyam Vyas
| pseudonym        = Ghanshyam Vyas
Line 42: Line 43:
| signature        =  
| signature        =  
| signature_alt    =  
| signature_alt    =  
| years_active    = 1900-1970
| years_active    = 1915-1970
}}
}}
}}
}}


'''Kanhaiyalal Maneklal Munshi'''<ref name="Correct spelling 'Kanaiyalal'">{{cite book|title=Krishnavatara (Vol. I) – The Magic Flute|year=1973|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan|pages=dust cover flap}}</ref> ({{IPA-gu|kə.nəi.ya.lal ma.ɳek.lal mun.ʃi|pron|}}; 30 December 1887 – 8 February 1971), popularly known by his pen name '''Ghanshyam Vyas''', was an [[Indian independence movement]] activist, politician, writer and educationist from [[Gujarat]] state. A lawyer by profession, he later turned to author and politician. He is a well-known name in [[Gujarati literature]]. He founded [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]], an educational trust, in 1938.<ref name="Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New Delhi">{{cite web|title=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New Delhi|url=http://www.bvbdelhi.org}}</ref>
'''Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi'''<ref name="Correct spelling 'Kanaiyalal'">{{cite book|title=Krishnavatara (Vol. I) – The Magic Flute|year=1973|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan|pages=dust cover flap}}</ref> ({{IPA|gu|kə.nəi.ya.lal ma.ɳek.lal mun.ʃi|pron|}}; 30 December 1887 – 8 February 1971), popularly known by his pen name '''Ghanshyam Vyas''', was an [[Indian independence movement]] activist, politician, writer from [[Gujarat]] state. A lawyer by profession, he later turned to author and politician. He is a well-known name in [[Gujarati literature]]. He founded [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]], an educational trust, in 1938.<ref name="Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New Delhi">{{cite web|title=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New Delhi|url=http://www.bvbdelhi.org/|access-date=11 January 2012|archive-date=28 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728112835/https://www.bvbdelhi.org/|url-status=live}}</ref>


Munshi wrote his works in three languages namely Gujarati, English and Hindi. Before independence of India, Munshi was part of [[Indian National Congress]] and after independence, he joined [[Swatantra Party]]. Munshi held several important posts like member of [[Constituent Assembly of India]], minister of agriculture and food of India, and governor of [[Uttar Pradesh]]. In his later life, he was one of the founding members of [[Vishva Hindu Parishad]].
Munshi wrote his works in three languages namely Gujarati, English and Hindi. Before independence of India, Munshi was part of [[Indian National Congress]] and after independence, he joined [[Swatantra Party]]. Munshi held several important posts like member of [[Constituent Assembly of India]], minister of agriculture and food of India, and governor of [[Uttar Pradesh]]. In his later life, he was one of the founding members of [[Vishva Hindu Parishad]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
Munshi was born on 30 December 1887 at [[Bharuch]], a town in [[Gujarat State]] of [[British Raj|British India]].<ref name="Sheth1979">{{cite book|last=Sheth|first=Jayana|title=Munshi : Self-sculptor|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u969WD39ct8C|edition=1st|year=1979|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan|location=Bombay|pages=239–243|oclc=568760494}}</ref> Munshi took admission at [[Baroda College]] in 1902 and scored first class with 'Ambalal Sakarlal Paritoshik'. In 1907, by scoring maximum marks in the [[English language]], he received 'Elite prize' along with degree of [[Bachelor of Arts]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Gujarati Vishwakosh|last=Thakar|first=Dhirubhai|publisher=Gujarat Vishwakosh Trust|year=2002|location=[[Ahmedabad]]|pages=236, 237|title-link=Gujarati Vishwakosh}}</ref> Later, he was given [[honoris causa]] from same university.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/economy/msu-doctorate-for-mukesh-ambani/articleshow/2415180.cms|title=MSU doctorate for Mukesh Ambani|date=2007-09-30|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-10-29}}</ref> He received degree of [[LLB]] in Mumbai in 1910 and registered as [[lawyer]] in the [[Bombay High Court]].<ref name=":2" />
Munshi was born on 30 December 1887 at [[Bharuch]], a town in [[Gujarat State]] of [[British Raj|British India]] in a [[Bhargav Brahmins|Bhargav Brahmin]] family.<ref name="Sheth1979">{{cite book|last=Sheth|first=Jayana|title=Munshi : Self-sculptor|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u969WD39ct8C|edition=1st|year=1979|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan|location=Bombay|pages=239–243|oclc=568760494|access-date=29 October 2019|archive-date=8 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208063647/https://books.google.com/books?id=u969WD39ct8C|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Davis |first=Richard H. |title=Lives of Indian Images |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=1997 |pages=210}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Chowdhry |first=Prem |title=Colonial India and the Making of Empire Cinema: Image, Ideology, and Identity |publisher=Manchester University Press |year=2000 |pages=123}}</ref> Munshi took admission at [[Baroda College]] in 1902 and scored first class with 'Ambalal Sakarlal Paritoshik'. In 1907, by scoring maximum marks in the [[English language]], he received 'Elite Prize' along with degree of [[Bachelor of Arts]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Gujarati Vishwakosh|last=Thakar|first=Dhirubhai|publisher=Gujarat Vishwakosh Trust|year=2002|location=[[Ahmedabad]]|pages=236, 237|title-link=Gujarati Vishwakosh}}</ref> Later, he was given [[honoris causa]] from same university.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/economy/msu-doctorate-for-mukesh-ambani/articleshow/2415180.cms|title=MSU doctorate for Mukesh Ambani|date=2007-09-30|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-10-29|archive-date=16 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116190135/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/economy/msu-doctorate-for-mukesh-ambani/articleshow/2415180.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> He received degree of [[LLB]] in Mumbai in 1910 and registered as [[lawyer]] in the [[Bombay High Court]].<ref name=":2" />


One of his professor at Baroda College was Aurobindo Ghosh (later [[Sri Aurobindo]]) who had a profound impression on him. Munshi was also influenced by [[Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III]] of Baroda, [[Mahatma Gandhi]], [[Sardar Patel]] and [[Bhulabhai Desai]].<ref name="Bhagavan">{{cite journal |last=Bhagavan |first=Manu |title=The Hindutva Underground: Hindu Nationalism and the Indian National Congress in Late Colonial and Early Post-Colonial India |journal=[[Economic and Political Weekly]] |volume=43 |pages=39–48 |number=37 |year=2008 |jstor=40277950}}</ref>
One of his professor at Baroda College was Aurobindo Ghosh (later [[Sri Aurobindo]]) who had a profound impression on him. Munshi was also influenced by [[Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III]] of Baroda, [[Mahatma Gandhi]], [[Sardar Patel]] and [[Bhulabhai Desai]].<ref name="Bhagavan">{{cite journal |last=Bhagavan |first=Manu |title=The Hindutva Underground: Hindu Nationalism and the Indian National Congress in Late Colonial and Early Post-Colonial India |journal=[[Economic and Political Weekly]] |volume=43 |pages=39–48 |number=37 |year=2008 |jstor=40277950}}</ref>
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=== Indian independence movement ===
=== Indian independence movement ===
Due to influence of Aurobindo, Munshi leaned towards revolutionary group and get himself involved into the process of bomb-making. But after settling in the Mumbai, he joined [[Indian Home Rule movement]] and became secretary in 1915.<ref name=":2" /> In 1917, he became secretary of Bombay presidency association.<ref name=":2" /> In 1920, he attended annual congress session at [[Ahmedabad]] and was influenced by its president [[Surendranath Banerjee]].<ref name=":2" />
Due to influence of Sri Aurobindo, Munshi leaned towards a revolutionary group and got himself involved into the process of [[bomb-making]]. But after settling in the Mumbai, he joined the [[Indian Home Rule movement]] and became secretary in 1915.<ref name=":2" /> In 1917, he became the secretary of the Bombay presidency association.<ref name=":2" /> In 1920, he attended the annual congress session at [[Ahmedabad]] and was influenced by its president [[Surendranath Banerjee]].<ref name=":2" />


In 1927, he was elected to the [[Bombay Legislative Assembly|Bombay legislative assembly]] but after [[Bardoli Satyagraha|Bardoli satyagraha]], he resigned under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi.<ref name=":2" /> He participated in the [[civil disobedience movement]] in 1930 and was arrested for six months initially. After taking part in the second part of same movement, he was arrested again and spent two years in the jail in 1932.<ref name=":2" /> In 1934, he became secretary of Congress parliamentary board.<ref name=":1" />
In 1927, he was elected to the [[Bombay Legislative Assembly|Bombay legislative assembly]] but after [[Bardoli Satyagraha|Bardoli satyagraha]], he resigned under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi.<ref name=":2" /> He participated in the [[civil disobedience movement]] in 1930 and was arrested for six months initially. After taking part in the second part of same movement, he was arrested again and spent two years in the jail in 1932.<ref name=":2" /> In 1934, he became secretary of Congress parliamentary board.<ref name=":1" />
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==== Offices held ====
==== Offices held ====
* Member of Bombay Legislative Assembly<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://upgovernor.gov.in/en/post/shri-kanhaiyalal-maneklal-munshi|title=Official Website of Governor's Secretariat, Raj Bhavan Lucknow Uttar Pradesh, India. / Shri Kanhaiyalal Maneklal Munshi|website=upgovernor.gov.in|access-date=2019-10-29}}</ref>
* Member of Bombay Legislative Assembly<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://upgovernor.gov.in/en/post/shri-kanhaiyalal-maneklal-munshi|title=Official Website of Governor's Secretariat, Raj Bhavan Lucknow Uttar Pradesh, India. / Shri Kanhaiyalal Maneklal Munshi|website=upgovernor.gov.in|access-date=2019-10-29|archive-date=31 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331033409/http://upgovernor.gov.in/en/post/shri-kanhaiyalal-maneklal-munshi|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Member of Working committee of Indian National Congress (1930), Member of [[All India Congress Committee]] (1930-36,1947)<ref name=":1" />
* Member of Working committee of Indian National Congress (1930), Member of [[All India Congress Committee]] (1930–36,1947)<ref name=":1" />
* Secretary of Congress Parliamentary Board (1934)<ref name=":1" />
* Secretary of Congress Parliamentary Board (1934)<ref name=":1" />
* Home Minister of Government of Bombay (1937-40)<ref name=":1" />
* Home Minister of Government of Bombay (1937–40)<ref name=":1" />


===Post-independence India===
===Post-independence India===
[[File:Jawaharlal Nehru driving a tractor at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 2 October 1952.jpg|left|thumb|[[Jawaharlal Nehru]] driving tractor with Munshi and Rajkumari Amrita Kaur. (From right to left, Munshi wore goggles and [[Gandhi cap]])]]
[[File:Jawaharlal Nehru driving a tractor at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, 2 October 1952.jpg|left|thumb|[[Jawaharlal Nehru]] driving tractor with Munshi and Rajkumari Amrita Kaur. (From right to left, Munshi wore goggles and [[Gandhi cap]])]]
He was a part of several committees including Drafting Committee, Advisory Committee, Sub-Committee on Fundamental Rights.<ref>[http://cadindia.clpr.org.in/constituent_assembly_members/k_m_munshi Constituent Assembly Members]. Cadindia.clpr.org.in. Retrieved on 7 December 2018.</ref><ref>[http://cadindia.clpr.org.in/search?tag%5Bspeaker%5D%5B%5D=K.M.+Munshi&document_type%5B%5D=1&document_type%5B%5D=0&sort_by=Relevant+Day&filter_tag%5Bspeaker%5D%5B%5D=15360&date_of_debate= Speaker: K. M. Munshi]. Cadindia.clpr.org.in (20 February 1947). Retrieved on 2018-12-07.</ref> Munshi presented his draft on Fundamental Rights to the Drafting and it sought for progressive rights to be made a part of Fundamental Rights.<ref>[http://cadindia.clpr.org.in/search?tag%5Bspeaker%5D%5B%5D=K.M.+Munshi&keyword%5B%5D=fundamental+rights&document_type%5B%5D=1&document_type%5B%5D=0&sort_by=Relevant+Day&filter_tag%5Bspeaker%5D%5B%5D=15360&date_of_debate= Speaker: K. M. Munshi]. Cadindia.clpr.org.in. Retrieved on 7 December 2018.</ref>
He was a part of several committees including Drafting Committee, Advisory Committee, Sub-Committee on Fundamental Rights.<ref>[http://cadindia.clpr.org.in/constituent_assembly_members/k_m_munshi Constituent Assembly Members] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104192355/http://cadindia.clpr.org.in/constituent_assembly_members/k_m_munshi |date=4 January 2018 }}. Cadindia.clpr.org.in. Retrieved on 7 December 2018.</ref><ref>[http://cadindia.clpr.org.in/search?tag%5Bspeaker%5D%5B%5D=K.M.+Munshi&document_type%5B%5D=1&document_type%5B%5D=0&sort_by=Relevant+Day&filter_tag%5Bspeaker%5D%5B%5D=15360&date_of_debate= Speaker: K. M. Munshi]. Cadindia.clpr.org.in (20 February 1947). Retrieved on 2018-12-07.</ref> Munshi presented his draft on Fundamental Rights to the Drafting and it sought for progressive rights to be made a part of Fundamental Rights.<ref>[http://cadindia.clpr.org.in/search?tag%5Bspeaker%5D%5B%5D=K.M.+Munshi&keyword%5B%5D=fundamental+rights&document_type%5B%5D=1&document_type%5B%5D=0&sort_by=Relevant+Day&filter_tag%5Bspeaker%5D%5B%5D=15360&date_of_debate= Speaker: K. M. Munshi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816013526/http://cadindia.clpr.org.in/search?tag%5Bspeaker%5D%5B%5D=K.M.+Munshi&keyword%5B%5D=fundamental+rights&document_type%5B%5D=1&document_type%5B%5D=0&sort_by=Relevant+Day&filter_tag%5Bspeaker%5D%5B%5D=15360&date_of_debate= |date=16 August 2022 }}. Cadindia.clpr.org.in. Retrieved on 7 December 2018.</ref>


After the [[independence of India]], Munshi, Sardar Patel and [[N. V. Gadgil]] visited the [[Junagadh State]] to stabilise the state with help of the Indian Army. In Junagadh, Patel declared the reconstruction of the historically important [[Somnath temple]]. Patel died before the reconstruction was completed. Munshi became the main driving force behind the renovation of the [[Somnath]] temple even after [[Jawaharlal Nehru]]'s opposition.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gabriel |first1=Marie Cruz |title=A Silence In The City And Other Stories |date=1996 |publisher=[[Orient Blackswan|Orient Longman]] |isbn=978-81-250-0828-6 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2020-04-14|title=In Nehru vs Patel-Prasad on Somnath, a context of Partition, nation building|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/somnath-temple-rahul-gandhi-babri-demolition-ram-rath-yatra-ram-mandir-ayodhya-verdict-hindutvain-nehru-sardar-patel-4971403/|date=9 December 2017|website=[[The Indian Express]]|first=Uma|last=Vishnu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first1=Makkhan|last1=Lal|access-date=2020-04-14|title=On KM Munshi's birth anniversary, remembering his fight to rebuild Somnath Temple|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/on-km-munshis-birth-anniversary-remembering-his-fight-to-rebuild-somnath-temple/25283/|date=30 December 2018|website=[[ThePrint]]}}</ref>
After the [[independence of India]], Munshi, Sardar Patel and [[N. V. Gadgil]] visited the [[Junagadh State]] to stabilise the state with help of the Indian Army. In Junagadh, Patel declared the reconstruction of the historically important [[Somnath temple]]. Patel died before the reconstruction was completed. Munshi became the main driving force behind the renovation of the [[Somnath]] temple even after [[Jawaharlal Nehru]]'s opposition.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gabriel |first1=Marie Cruz |title=A Silence In The City And Other Stories |date=1996 |publisher=[[Orient Blackswan|Orient Longman]] |isbn=978-81-250-0828-6 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2020-04-14|title=In Nehru vs Patel-Prasad on Somnath, a context of Partition, nation building|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/somnath-temple-rahul-gandhi-babri-demolition-ram-rath-yatra-ram-mandir-ayodhya-verdict-hindutvain-nehru-sardar-patel-4971403/|date=9 December 2017|website=[[The Indian Express]]|first=Uma|last=Vishnu|archive-date=20 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920235555/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/somnath-temple-rahul-gandhi-babri-demolition-ram-rath-yatra-ram-mandir-ayodhya-verdict-hindutvain-nehru-sardar-patel-4971403/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first1=Makkhan|last1=Lal|access-date=2020-04-14|title=On KM Munshi's birth anniversary, remembering his fight to rebuild Somnath Temple|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/on-km-munshis-birth-anniversary-remembering-his-fight-to-rebuild-somnath-temple/25283/|date=30 December 2018|website=[[ThePrint]]|archive-date=19 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019011258/https://theprint.in/opinion/on-km-munshis-birth-anniversary-remembering-his-fight-to-rebuild-somnath-temple/25283/|url-status=live}}</ref>


Munshi was appointed diplomatic envoy and trade agent (Agent-General) to the princely state of [[Hyderabad State|Hyderabad]], where he served until its accession to India in 1948. Munshi was on the ad hoc Flag Committee that selected the [[Flag of India]] in August 1947, and on the committee which drafted the [[Constitution of India]] under the chairmanship of [[B. R. Ambedkar]].
Munshi was appointed diplomatic envoy and trade agent (Agent-General) to the princely state of [[Hyderabad State|Hyderabad]], where he served until its accession to India in 1948. Munshi was on the ad hoc Flag Committee that selected the [[Flag of India]] in August 1947, and on the committee which drafted the [[Constitution of India]] under the chairmanship of [[B. R. Ambedkar]].


Besides being a politician and educator, Munshi was also an environmentalist. He initiated the [[Van Mahotsav]] in 1950, when he was Union Minister of Food and Agriculture, to increase area under forest cover. Since then Van Mahotsav a week-long festival of tree plantation is organised every year in the month of July all across the country and lakhs of trees are planted.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.televisionpost.com/epic-channel-celebrates-van-mahotsav-the-national-tree-plantation-festival/|title=EPIC Channel celebrates 'Van Mahotsav' – The National Tree Plantation Festival - TelevisionPost: Latest News, India's Television, Cable, DTH, TRAI|date=2019-07-05|website=TelevisionPost: Latest News, India’s Television, Cable, DTH, TRAI|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref>
Besides being a politician and educator, Munshi was also an environmentalist. He initiated the [[Van Mahotsav]] in 1950, when he was Union Minister of Food and Agriculture, to increase area under forest cover. Since then Van Mahotsav a week-long festival of tree plantation is organised every year in the month of July all across the country and lakhs of trees are planted.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.televisionpost.com/epic-channel-celebrates-van-mahotsav-the-national-tree-plantation-festival/|title=EPIC Channel celebrates 'Van Mahotsav' – The National Tree Plantation Festival|date=2019-07-05|website=TelevisionPost|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-28|archive-date=15 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215020254/https://www.televisionpost.com/epic-channel-celebrates-van-mahotsav-the-national-tree-plantation-festival/|url-status=live}}</ref>


Munshi served as the [[Governor of Uttar Pradesh]] from 1952 to 1957.<ref name=":1" /> In 1959, Munshi separated from the Nehru-dominated (socialist) [[Indian National Congress|Congress Party]] and started the [[Akhand Hindustan]] movement. He believed in a strong opposition, so along with [[Chakravarti Rajagopalachari]], he founded the Swatantra Party, which was right-wing in its politics, pro-business, pro-free market economy and private property rights. The party enjoyed considerable success and eventually died out.
Munshi served as the [[Governor of Uttar Pradesh]] from 1952 to 1957.<ref name=":1" /> In 1959, Munshi separated from the Nehru-dominated (socialist) [[Indian National Congress|Congress Party]] and started the [[Akhand Hindustan]] movement. He believed in a strong opposition, so along with [[Chakravarti Rajagopalachari]], he founded the Swatantra Party, which was right-wing in its politics, pro-business, pro-free market economy and private property rights. The party enjoyed considerable success and eventually died out.
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==== Posts held ====
==== Posts held ====
* Member of constituent assembly of India and its drafting committee (1947-52)<ref name=":1" />
* Member of constituent assembly of India and its drafting committee (1947–52)<ref name=":1" />
* Union minister of food and agriculture (1950-52)<ref name=":1" />
* Union minister of food and agriculture (1950–52)<ref name=":1" />
* Agent general to the Government of India, Hyderabad (1948)<ref name=":1" />
* Agent general to the Government of India, Hyderabad (1948)<ref name=":1" />


== Academic career ==
== Academic career ==
[[File:K M Munshi bust.jpg|thumb|Bust of Munshi at [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]]]]
Munshi was thinking of giving an institutional foundations to his ideas and ideals since 1923. On 7 November 1938, he established [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]] with Harshidbhai Divatia and his wife [[Lilavati Munshi]] at [[Andheri]], [[Bombay]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=K.M. Munshi|last=Kulkarni|first=V. B|publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India|year=2014|pages=268}}</ref> Later, he established Mumbadevi Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya to teach [[Sanskrit]] and ancient Hindu texts according to traditional methods.<ref>{{Cite book|title=K.M. Munshi|last=Kulkarni|first=V. B|publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India|year=2014|pages=269}}</ref>
Munshi was thinking of giving an institutional foundations to his ideas and ideals since 1923. On 7 November 1938, he established [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]] with Harshidbhai Divatia and his wife [[Lilavati Munshi]] at [[Andheri]], [[Bombay]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=K.M. Munshi|last=Kulkarni|first=V. B|publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India|year=2014|pages=268}}</ref> Later, he established Mumbadevi Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya to teach [[Sanskrit]] and ancient Hindu texts according to traditional methods.<ref>{{Cite book|title=K.M. Munshi|last=Kulkarni|first=V. B|publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India|year=2014|pages=269}}</ref>


Apart from founding [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]], Munshi was instrumental in the establishment of [[Bhavan's College, Andheri|Bhavan's College]], [[Hansraj Morarji Public School]], [[Rajhans Vidyalaya]], [[Rajhans Balvatika]] and [[Sanjeewan Vidyalaya|Panchgani Hindu School]] (1922). He was elected Fellow of the [[University of Bombay]], where he was responsible for giving adequate representation to regional languages. He was also instrumental in starting the department of Chemical Technology.
Apart from founding [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]], Munshi was instrumental in the establishment of [[Bhavan's College, Andheri|Bhavan's College]], [[Hansraj Morarji Public School]], [[Rajhans Vidyalaya]], [[Rajhans Balvatika]] and Panchgani Hindu School (1922). He was elected Fellow of the [[University of Bombay]], where he was responsible for giving adequate representation to regional languages. He was also instrumental in starting the department of Chemical Technology.
 
He served as Chairman of Institute of Agriculture, Anand (1951–71), trustee of the Birla Education Trust (1948–71), executive chairman of [[Indian Law Institute]] (1957–60) and chairman of Sanskrit Vishwa Parishad (1951–1961).<ref name=":1" />


He served as Chairman of Institute of Agriculture, Anand (1951-71), trustee of the Birla Education Trust (1948-71), executive chairman of [[Indian Law Institute]] (1957-60) and chairman of [[Sanskrit Vishwa Parishad]] (1951-1961).<ref name=":1" />
== Global policy ==
He was one of the signatories of the agreement to convene a convention for drafting a [[world constitution]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Letters from Thane Read asking Helen Keller to sign the World Constitution for world peace. 1961 |url=https://www.afb.org/HelenKellerArchive?a=d&d=A-HK01-07-B149-F04-022.1.8 |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=Helen Keller Archive |publisher=American Foundation for the Blind |archive-date=3 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703034807/https://www.afb.org/HelenKellerArchive?a=d&d=A-HK01-07-B149-F04-022.1.8 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Letter from World Constitution Coordinating Committee to Helen, enclosing current materials |url=https://www.afb.org/HelenKellerArchive?a=d&d=A-HK01-07-B154-F05-028.1.6 |access-date=2023-07-03 |website=Helen Keller Archive |publisher=American Foundation for the Blind |archive-date=3 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703034812/https://www.afb.org/HelenKellerArchive?a=d&d=A-HK01-07-B154-F05-028.1.6 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result, for the first time in human history, a [[World Constituent Assembly]] convened to draft and adopt the [[Constitution for the Federation of Earth]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Preparing earth constitution {{!}} Global Strategies & Solutions {{!}} The Encyclopedia of World Problems |url=http://encyclopedia.uia.org/en/strategy/193465 |url-status=live |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=The Encyclopedia of World Problems {{!}} Union of International Associations (UIA) |archive-date=19 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719215501/http://encyclopedia.uia.org/en/strategy/193465 }}</ref>


== Literary career and works ==
== Literary career and works ==
Munshi, with pen name ''Ghanshyam Vyas'', was a prolific writer in Gujarati and English, earning a reputation as one of Gujarat's greatest literary figures.<ref name=":2" /> Being a writer and a conscientious journalist, Munshi started a Gujarati monthly called Bhargava. He was joint-editor of Young India and in 1954, started the Bhavan's Journal which is published by the [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]] to this day. Munshi was President of the [[Gujarati Sahitya Parishad]] and the {{ill|Hindi Sahitya Sammelan|hi|अखिल भारतीय हिंदी साहित्य सम्मेलन}}.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="Bhagavan" />
Munshi, with pen name ''Ghanshyam Vyas'', was a prolific writer in Gujarati and English, earning a reputation as one of Gujarat's greatest literary figures.<ref name=":2" /> Being a writer and a conscientious journalist, Munshi started a Gujarati monthly called Bhargava. He was joint-editor of Young India and in 1954, started the Bhavan's Journal which is published by the [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]] to this day. Munshi was President of the [[Gujarati Sahitya Parishad]] and the {{ill|Hindi Sahitya Sammelan|hi|अखिल भारतीय हिंदी साहित्य सम्मेलन}}.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="Bhagavan" />


Munshi was also a [[Literature|litterateur]] with a wide range of interests. He is well known for his historical novels in [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], especially his [[Patan triology|trilogy]] ''Patan-ni-Prabhuta'' (The Glory of Patan), ''Gujarat-no-Nath'' (The Lord and Master of Gujarat) and ''Rajadhiraj'' (The King of Kings). His other works include ''Jay Somnath'' (on [[Somnath]] temple), ''[[Krishnavatara]]'' (on Lord [[Krishna]]), ''Bhagavan Parasurama'' (on [[Parshurama]]), and ''Tapasvini'' (The Lure of Power) a novel with a fictional parallel drawn from the Freedom Movement of India under [[Mahatma Gandhi]]. Munshi also wrote several notable works in English.
Munshi was also a [[Literature|litterateur]] with a wide range of interests. He is well known for his historical novels in [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], especially his [[Patan trilogy|trilogy]] ''Patan-ni-Prabhuta'' (The Glory of Patan), ''Gujarat-no-Nath'' (The Lord and Master of Gujarat) and ''Rajadhiraj'' (The King of Kings). His other works include ''Jay Somnath'' (on [[Somnath]] temple), ''[[Krishnavatara]]'' (on Lord [[Krishna]]), ''Bhagavan Parasurama'' (on [[Parshurama]]), and ''Tapasvini'' (The Lure of Power) a novel with a fictional parallel drawn from the Freedom Movement of India under [[Mahatma Gandhi]]. Munshi also wrote several notable works in English.
 
Munshi has written some fictional historical themes namely; ''Earlier Aryan settlements in India'' (What he calls Gaurang's – white skinned), ''Krishna's endeavors in Mahabharata times'', ''More recently in 10th century India around Gujarat, Malwa and Southern India.''.


Munshi has written mostly based on fictional historical themes namely
K.M. Munshi's novel ''[[Prithivivallabh (novel)|Prithivivallabh]]'' was made into a movie of the same name twice. The adaptation directed by Manilal Joshi in 1924 was very controversial in its day: [[Prithvi Vallabh (1943 film)|the second version]] was by [[Sohrab Modi]] in 1943.


# Earlier Aryan settlements in India (What he calls Gaurang's – white skinned)
In 1948 he wrote a book about Mahatma Gandhi called ''Gandhi: The Master''.
# Krishna's endeavors in Mahabharata times
# More recently in 10th century India around Gujarat, Malwa and Southern India.


K.M. Munshi's novel ''[[Prithivivallabh]]'' was made into a movie of the same name twice. The adaptation directed by Manilal Joshi in 1924 was very controversial in its day: [[Mahatma Gandhi]] criticised it for excessive sex and violence. [[Prithvi Vallabh|The second version]] was by [[Sohrab Modi]] in 1943.
=== "Pseudo-secularism" ===
{{Main|Pseudo-secularism}}
According to the Indian lawyer, historian [[A. G. Noorani]], "pseudo-secularism" was coined by K.M. Munshi.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Noorani |first=A.G. |title=The Babri Masjid Question, 1528-2003: A Matter of National Honour, Volume 1 |publisher=[[Tulika Books]] |isbn=9788185229782 |pages=11-12}}</ref>


===Works in Gujarati and Hindi===
===Works in Gujarati and Hindi===
His works are as following:<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite news|title=Source: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai}}</ref><ref name=kh>[https://openlibrary.org/search?author_key=OL4167A&language=hin Open Library – Books of Kanhiyalal Munshi]. Openlibrary.org. Retrieved on 7 December 2018.</ref>
His works are as following:<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite news|title=Source: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai}}</ref><ref name=kh>[https://openlibrary.org/search?author_key=OL4167A&language=hin Open Library – Books of Kanhiyalal Munshi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329040539/https://openlibrary.org/search?author_key=OL4167A&language=hin |date=29 March 2019 }}. Openlibrary.org. Retrieved on 7 December 2018.</ref>
{{div col}}
{{div col}}
'''Novels'''
'''Novels'''
* ''Mari Kamala'' (1912)
* ''Mari Kamala'' (1912)
* ''Verni Vasulat'' (1913) (under the pen name ''Ghanashyam'')
* ''Verni Vasulat'' (1913) (under the pen name ''Ghanashyam'')
* ''[[Patan triology|Patanni Prabhuta]]'' (1916)
* ''[[Patan trilogy|Patanni Prabhuta]]'' (1916)
* ''[[Patan triology|Gujaratno Nath]]'' (1917)
* ''[[Patan trilogy|Gujaratno Nath]]'' (1917)
* ''[[Patan triology|Rajadhiraj]]'' (1918)
* ''[[Patan trilogy|Rajadhiraj]]'' (1918)
* ''[[Prithivivallabh]]'' (1921)
* ''[[Prithivivallabh (novel)|Prithivivallabh]]'' (1921)
* ''Svapnadishta'' (1924)
* ''Svapnadishta'' (1924)
* ''Lopamudra'' (1930)
* ''Lopamudra'' (1930)
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{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


===Works in English<ref name="ReferenceA"/>===
===Works in English===
Source:<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
{{div col}}
{{div col}}
* ''Gujarat and Its Literature''
* ''Gujarat and Its Literature''
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==Memorials==
==Memorials==
* A major thoroughfare in [[Mumbai]] is named after him.
* A road in [[Jaipur]] is named after him.
* A school in [[Thiruvananthapuram]] is named after him as Bhavan's Kulapati K.M. Munshi Memorial Vidya Mandir Sapthat.
* A school in [[Thiruvananthapuram]] is named after him as Bhavan's Kulapati K.M. Munshi Memorial Vidya Mandir Sapthat.
* A postage stamp was issued in his honor in 1988.<ref>[http://indianpost.com/viewstamp.php/Paper/Unwatermarked%20Gummed%20coated%20stamp%20paper/KANHAIYALAL%20M%20MUNSHI Indian postage stamp on Munshi – 1988]. Indianpost.com. Retrieved on 7 December 2018.</ref>
* A postage stamp was issued in his honor in 1988.<ref>[http://indianpost.com/viewstamp.php/Paper/Unwatermarked%20Gummed%20coated%20stamp%20paper/KANHAIYALAL%20M%20MUNSHI Indian postage stamp on Munshi – 1988] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401162141/https://www.indianpost.com/viewstamp.php/Paper/Unwatermarked%20Gummed%20coated%20stamp%20paper/KANHAIYALAL%20M%20MUNSHI |date=1 April 2023 }}. Indianpost.com. Retrieved on 7 December 2018.</ref>
* The [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]] has instituted an award in his honor – The Kulapati Munshi Award – awarded to recognize and honor a citizen of the Kendra who has done excellent and outstanding service to society in any special field.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kulapati Munshi Award conferred|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/kulapati-munshi-award-conferred/article4499566.ece|access-date=1 March 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=12 March 2013}}</ref>
* The [[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]] has instituted an award in his honor – The Kulapati Munshi Award – awarded to recognise and honor a citizen of the Kendra who has done excellent and outstanding service to society in any special field.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kulapati Munshi Award conferred|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/kulapati-munshi-award-conferred/article4499566.ece|access-date=1 March 2014|newspaper=The Hindu|date=12 March 2013|archive-date=5 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305172113/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/kulapati-munshi-award-conferred/article4499566.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>
* A boys hostel named as K. M. Munshi Hall at Main campus, The [[Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda]], Vadodara, Gujarat.
* A boys hostel named as K. M. Munshi Hall at Main campus, The [[Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda]], Vadodara, Gujarat.


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==External links==
==External links==
{{Sister project links|auto=yes}}
* {{Internet Archive author|sname=Kanaiyalal Munshi}}
* {{Internet Archive author|sname=Kanaiyalal Munshi}}
* [http://www.rediff.com/news/oct/31raj2.htm Rediff.com article]
* {{IMDb name}}
* [http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/03/stories/2008090352000700 Kulapathi Munshi Award presented to industrialist (The Hindu, 3 September 2008)]
* {{Gujarati Vishwakosh}}
* [http://www.kamat.com/database/janata/freedom_k_m_munshi.htm Portrait of Munshiji at Kamat.com]


{{Indian independence movement}}
{{Indian independence movement}}
{{Governors of Uttar Pradesh}}
{{Governors of Uttar Pradesh}}
{{World Constitutional Convention call signatories}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:Governors of Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Governors of Uttar Pradesh]]
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[[Category:Founders of Indian schools and colleges]]
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[[Category:University and college founders]]
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[[Category:Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]]
[[Category:Members of Central Legislative Assembly of India]]
[[Category:Members of the Central Legislative Assembly of India]]
[[Category:English-language writers from India]]
[[Category:English-language Indian writers]]
[[Category:Indian male dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:Indian male dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian lawyers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian lawyers]]
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[[Category:Swatantra Party politicians]]
[[Category:Swatantra Party politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian politicians]]
[[Category:Indian environmentalists]]
[[Category:Indian environmentalists]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Gujarat]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Gujarat]]
[[Category:Hindu activists]]
[[Category:Hindu activists]]
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[[Category:Dramatists and playwrights from Gujarat]]
[[Category:Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda alumni]]
[[Category:Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda alumni]]
[[Category:World Constitutional Convention call signatories]]
[[Category:Presidents of the Gujarati Sahitya Parishad]]

Latest revision as of 12:39, 13 February 2026


Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi
Munshi in June 1950
Union Minister of Food and Agriculture
In office
13 May 1950 – 13 May 1952
Prime MinisterJawaharlal Nehru
Preceded byJairamdas Daulatram
Succeeded byRafi Ahmed Kidwai
Governor of Uttar Pradesh
In office
2 June 1952 – 9 June 1957
Chief MinisterGovind Ballabh Pant
Sampurnanand
Preceded byHomi Mody
Succeeded byV. V. Giri
Personal details
Born(1887-12-30)30 December 1887
Bharuch, Bombay Presidency, British India
Died8 February 1971(1971-02-08) (aged 83)
Bombay, Maharashtra, India
Political partySwaraj Party, Indian National Congress, Swatantra Party, Jan Sangh
Spouse(s)
Atilakshmi Pathak
​
(
m. 1900; her death 1924)
(
m. 1926)
ChildrenJagadish Munshi, Sarla Sheth, Usha Raghupathi, Lata Munshi, Girish Munshi
Alma materBaroda College[1]
OccupationFreedom fighter, politician, lawyer, writer
Known forFounder of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (1938)
Home Minister of Bombay State (1937–40)
Agent-General of India in Hyderabad State (1948)
Member of the Constituent Assembly of India
Member of Parliament
Minister for Agriculture & Food (1952–53)
Writing career
Pen nameGhanshyam Vyas
LanguageGujarati, Hindi and English
PeriodColonial India
GenreMythology, Historical Fiction
SubjectsKrishna, Indian history
Notable worksPatan trilogy
Years active1915-1970

Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi[2] (gu; 30 December 1887 – 8 February 1971), popularly known by his pen name Ghanshyam Vyas, was an Indian independence movement activist, politician, writer from Gujarat state. A lawyer by profession, he later turned to author and politician. He is a well-known name in Gujarati literature. He founded Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, an educational trust, in 1938.[3]

Munshi wrote his works in three languages namely Gujarati, English and Hindi. Before independence of India, Munshi was part of Indian National Congress and after independence, he joined Swatantra Party. Munshi held several important posts like member of Constituent Assembly of India, minister of agriculture and food of India, and governor of Uttar Pradesh. In his later life, he was one of the founding members of Vishva Hindu Parishad.

Early life[edit | edit source]

Munshi was born on 30 December 1887 at Bharuch, a town in Gujarat State of British India in a Bhargav Brahmin family.[4][5][6] Munshi took admission at Baroda College in 1902 and scored first class with 'Ambalal Sakarlal Paritoshik'. In 1907, by scoring maximum marks in the English language, he received 'Elite Prize' along with degree of Bachelor of Arts.[7] Later, he was given honoris causa from same university.[8] He received degree of LLB in Mumbai in 1910 and registered as lawyer in the Bombay High Court.[7]

One of his professor at Baroda College was Aurobindo Ghosh (later Sri Aurobindo) who had a profound impression on him. Munshi was also influenced by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III of Baroda, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and Bhulabhai Desai.[9]

Political career[edit | edit source]

Indian independence movement[edit | edit source]

Due to influence of Sri Aurobindo, Munshi leaned towards a revolutionary group and got himself involved into the process of bomb-making. But after settling in the Mumbai, he joined the Indian Home Rule movement and became secretary in 1915.[7] In 1917, he became the secretary of the Bombay presidency association.[7] In 1920, he attended the annual congress session at Ahmedabad and was influenced by its president Surendranath Banerjee.[7]

In 1927, he was elected to the Bombay legislative assembly but after Bardoli satyagraha, he resigned under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi.[7] He participated in the civil disobedience movement in 1930 and was arrested for six months initially. After taking part in the second part of same movement, he was arrested again and spent two years in the jail in 1932.[7] In 1934, he became secretary of Congress parliamentary board.[10]

Munshi was elected again in the 1937 Bombay presidency election and became Home Minister of the Bombay Presidency.[7] During his tenure of home minister, he suppressed the communal riots in Bombay.[7] Munshi was again arrested after he took part in Individual satyagraha in 1940.[7]

As the demand for Pakistan gathered momentum, he gave up non-violence and supported the idea of a civil war to compel the Muslims to give up their demand. He believed that the future of Hindus and Muslims lay in unity in an "Akhand Hindustan".[11] He left Congress in 1941 due to dissents with Congress, but was invited back in 1946 by Mahatma Gandhi.[9][7]

Offices held[edit | edit source]

  • Member of Bombay Legislative Assembly[10]
  • Member of Working committee of Indian National Congress (1930), Member of All India Congress Committee (1930–36,1947)[10]
  • Secretary of Congress Parliamentary Board (1934)[10]
  • Home Minister of Government of Bombay (1937–40)[10]

Post-independence India[edit | edit source]

Jawaharlal Nehru driving tractor with Munshi and Rajkumari Amrita Kaur. (From right to left, Munshi wore goggles and Gandhi cap)

He was a part of several committees including Drafting Committee, Advisory Committee, Sub-Committee on Fundamental Rights.[12][13] Munshi presented his draft on Fundamental Rights to the Drafting and it sought for progressive rights to be made a part of Fundamental Rights.[14]

After the independence of India, Munshi, Sardar Patel and N. V. Gadgil visited the Junagadh State to stabilise the state with help of the Indian Army. In Junagadh, Patel declared the reconstruction of the historically important Somnath temple. Patel died before the reconstruction was completed. Munshi became the main driving force behind the renovation of the Somnath temple even after Jawaharlal Nehru's opposition.[15][16][17]

Munshi was appointed diplomatic envoy and trade agent (Agent-General) to the princely state of Hyderabad, where he served until its accession to India in 1948. Munshi was on the ad hoc Flag Committee that selected the Flag of India in August 1947, and on the committee which drafted the Constitution of India under the chairmanship of B. R. Ambedkar.

Besides being a politician and educator, Munshi was also an environmentalist. He initiated the Van Mahotsav in 1950, when he was Union Minister of Food and Agriculture, to increase area under forest cover. Since then Van Mahotsav a week-long festival of tree plantation is organised every year in the month of July all across the country and lakhs of trees are planted.[18]

Munshi served as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh from 1952 to 1957.[10] In 1959, Munshi separated from the Nehru-dominated (socialist) Congress Party and started the Akhand Hindustan movement. He believed in a strong opposition, so along with Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, he founded the Swatantra Party, which was right-wing in its politics, pro-business, pro-free market economy and private property rights. The party enjoyed considerable success and eventually died out.

In August 1964, he chaired the meeting for the founding of the Hindu nationalist organisation Vishva Hindu Parishad at Sandipini ashram.[11]

Posts held[edit | edit source]

  • Member of constituent assembly of India and its drafting committee (1947–52)[10]
  • Union minister of food and agriculture (1950–52)[10]
  • Agent general to the Government of India, Hyderabad (1948)[10]

Academic career[edit | edit source]

Bust of Munshi at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

Munshi was thinking of giving an institutional foundations to his ideas and ideals since 1923. On 7 November 1938, he established Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan with Harshidbhai Divatia and his wife Lilavati Munshi at Andheri, Bombay.[19] Later, he established Mumbadevi Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya to teach Sanskrit and ancient Hindu texts according to traditional methods.[20]

Apart from founding Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Munshi was instrumental in the establishment of Bhavan's College, Hansraj Morarji Public School, Rajhans Vidyalaya, Rajhans Balvatika and Panchgani Hindu School (1922). He was elected Fellow of the University of Bombay, where he was responsible for giving adequate representation to regional languages. He was also instrumental in starting the department of Chemical Technology.

He served as Chairman of Institute of Agriculture, Anand (1951–71), trustee of the Birla Education Trust (1948–71), executive chairman of Indian Law Institute (1957–60) and chairman of Sanskrit Vishwa Parishad (1951–1961).[10]

Global policy[edit | edit source]

He was one of the signatories of the agreement to convene a convention for drafting a world constitution.[21][22] As a result, for the first time in human history, a World Constituent Assembly convened to draft and adopt the Constitution for the Federation of Earth.[23]

Literary career and works[edit | edit source]

Munshi, with pen name Ghanshyam Vyas, was a prolific writer in Gujarati and English, earning a reputation as one of Gujarat's greatest literary figures.[7] Being a writer and a conscientious journalist, Munshi started a Gujarati monthly called Bhargava. He was joint-editor of Young India and in 1954, started the Bhavan's Journal which is published by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan to this day. Munshi was President of the Gujarati Sahitya Parishad and the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan [hi].[10][9]

Munshi was also a litterateur with a wide range of interests. He is well known for his historical novels in Gujarati, especially his trilogy Patan-ni-Prabhuta (The Glory of Patan), Gujarat-no-Nath (The Lord and Master of Gujarat) and Rajadhiraj (The King of Kings). His other works include Jay Somnath (on Somnath temple), Krishnavatara (on Lord Krishna), Bhagavan Parasurama (on Parshurama), and Tapasvini (The Lure of Power) a novel with a fictional parallel drawn from the Freedom Movement of India under Mahatma Gandhi. Munshi also wrote several notable works in English.

Munshi has written some fictional historical themes namely; Earlier Aryan settlements in India (What he calls Gaurang's – white skinned), Krishna's endeavors in Mahabharata times, More recently in 10th century India around Gujarat, Malwa and Southern India..

K.M. Munshi's novel Prithivivallabh was made into a movie of the same name twice. The adaptation directed by Manilal Joshi in 1924 was very controversial in its day: the second version was by Sohrab Modi in 1943.

In 1948 he wrote a book about Mahatma Gandhi called Gandhi: The Master.

"Pseudo-secularism"[edit | edit source]

Main article: Pseudo-secularism

According to the Indian lawyer, historian A. G. Noorani, "pseudo-secularism" was coined by K.M. Munshi.[24]

Works in Gujarati and Hindi[edit | edit source]

His works are as following:[25][26]

Novels

  • Mari Kamala (1912)
  • Verni Vasulat (1913) (under the pen name Ghanashyam)
  • Patanni Prabhuta (1916)
  • Gujaratno Nath (1917)
  • Rajadhiraj (1918)
  • Prithivivallabh (1921)
  • Svapnadishta (1924)
  • Lopamudra (1930)
  • Jay Somanth (1940)
  • Bhagavan Parashurama (1946)
  • Tapasvini (1957)
  • Krishnavatara (in eight volumes) (1970)last novel, still remained incomplete
  • Kono vank
  • Lomaharshini
  • Bhagvan Kautilya
  • Pratirodha (1900)
  • Atta ke svapana (1900)
  • Gaurava kā pratīka (1900)
  • Gujarat ke Gaurava (1900)
  • Sishu aura Sakhi (1961)
  • Avibhakta Atma

Drama

  • Brahmacharyashram (1931)
  • Dr. Madhurika (1936)
  • Pauranik Natako

Non-fiction

  • Ketlak Lekho (1926)
  • Adadhe Raste (1943)

Works in English[edit | edit source]

Source:[25]

  • Gujarat and Its Literature
  • Imperial Gujaras
  • Bhagavad Gita and Modern Life
  • Creative Art of Life
  • To Badrinath
  • Saga of Indian Sculpture
  • The End of An Era
  • President under Indian Constitution
  • Warnings of History: Trends in Modern India
  • Somanatha, The shrine eternal

Personal life[edit | edit source]

In 1900, he married Atilakshmi Pathak, who died in 1924. In 1926, he married Lilavati Munshi (née Sheth).[4][7]

Popular culture[edit | edit source]

Munshi on a 1988 stamp of India

Munshi was portrayed by K. K. Raina in the Shyam Benegal's mini-series Samvidhaan.

Memorials[edit | edit source]

  • A school in Thiruvananthapuram is named after him as Bhavan's Kulapati K.M. Munshi Memorial Vidya Mandir Sapthat.
  • A postage stamp was issued in his honor in 1988.[27]
  • The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan has instituted an award in his honor – The Kulapati Munshi Award – awarded to recognise and honor a citizen of the Kendra who has done excellent and outstanding service to society in any special field.[28]
  • A boys hostel named as K. M. Munshi Hall at Main campus, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "IndianPost – KANHAIYALAL M MUNSHI". indianpost.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
  2. ↑ Krishnavatara (Vol. I) – The Magic Flute. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. 1973. pp. dust cover flap.
  3. ↑ "Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New Delhi". Archived from the original on 28 July 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sheth, Jayana (1979). Munshi : Self-sculptor (1st ed.). Bombay: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. pp. 239–243. OCLC 568760494. Archived from the original on 8 February 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  5. ↑ Davis, Richard H. (1997). Lives of Indian Images. Princeton University Press. p. 210.
  6. ↑ Chowdhry, Prem (2000). Colonial India and the Making of Empire Cinema: Image, Ideology, and Identity. Manchester University Press. p. 123.
  7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 Thakar, Dhirubhai (2002). Gujarati Vishwakosh. Ahmedabad: Gujarat Vishwakosh Trust. pp. 236, 237.
  8. ↑ "MSU doctorate for Mukesh Ambani". The Economic Times. 30 September 2007. Archived from the original on 16 November 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Bhagavan, Manu (2008). "The Hindutva Underground: Hindu Nationalism and the Indian National Congress in Late Colonial and Early Post-Colonial India". Economic and Political Weekly. 43 (37): 39–48. JSTOR 40277950.
  10. ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 "Official Website of Governor's Secretariat, Raj Bhavan Lucknow Uttar Pradesh, India. / Shri Kanhaiyalal Maneklal Munshi". upgovernor.gov.in. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Katju, Manjari (2013). Vishva Hindu Parishad and Indian Politics. Orient Blackswan. ISBN 978-81-250-2476-7.
  12. ↑ Constituent Assembly Members Archived 4 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Cadindia.clpr.org.in. Retrieved on 7 December 2018.
  13. ↑ Speaker: K. M. Munshi. Cadindia.clpr.org.in (20 February 1947). Retrieved on 2018-12-07.
  14. ↑ Speaker: K. M. Munshi Archived 16 August 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Cadindia.clpr.org.in. Retrieved on 7 December 2018.
  15. ↑ Gabriel, Marie Cruz (1996). A Silence In The City And Other Stories. Orient Longman. ISBN 978-81-250-0828-6.
  16. ↑ Vishnu, Uma (9 December 2017). "In Nehru vs Patel-Prasad on Somnath, a context of Partition, nation building". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 20 September 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  17. ↑ Lal, Makkhan (30 December 2018). "On KM Munshi's birth anniversary, remembering his fight to rebuild Somnath Temple". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  18. ↑ "EPIC Channel celebrates 'Van Mahotsav' – The National Tree Plantation Festival". TelevisionPost. 5 July 2019. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  19. ↑ Kulkarni, V. B (2014). K.M. Munshi. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. p. 268.
  20. ↑ Kulkarni, V. B (2014). K.M. Munshi. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India. p. 269.
  21. ↑ "Letters from Thane Read asking Helen Keller to sign the World Constitution for world peace. 1961". Helen Keller Archive. American Foundation for the Blind. Archived from the original on 3 July 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  22. ↑ "Letter from World Constitution Coordinating Committee to Helen, enclosing current materials". Helen Keller Archive. American Foundation for the Blind. Archived from the original on 3 July 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  23. ↑ "Preparing earth constitution | Global Strategies & Solutions | The Encyclopedia of World Problems". The Encyclopedia of World Problems | Union of International Associations (UIA). Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  24. ↑ Noorani, A.G. The Babri Masjid Question, 1528-2003: A Matter of National Honour, Volume 1. Tulika Books. pp. 11–12. ISBN 9788185229782.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Source: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai".
  26. ↑ Open Library – Books of Kanhiyalal Munshi Archived 29 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Openlibrary.org. Retrieved on 7 December 2018.
  27. ↑ Indian postage stamp on Munshi – 1988 Archived 1 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Indianpost.com. Retrieved on 7 December 2018.
  28. ↑ "Kulapati Munshi Award conferred". The Hindu. 12 March 2013. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

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