Created by Nizil Shah
Last edited February 14, 2026
imported>Nizil Shah
 
m correct references also and improved wording after review
 
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{{Short description|Indian science writer (1909-1992)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name                      =  Vijaygupta Maurya
| name                      =  Vijaygupta Maurya
| native_name              = વિજયગુપ્ત મૌર્ય
| native_name_lang          = Gujarati
| image                    =
| image                    =
| image_size                =  
| image_size                =  
| alt                      =  
| alt                      =  
| caption                  =
| caption                  =
| birth_name                = Vijayshankar Morarji Vasu ({{lang-gu|વિજયશંકર મુરારજી વાસુ}})
| birth_name                = Vijayshankar Morarji Vasu  
| birth_date                = {{birth date|df=yes|1909|03|26}}
| birth_date                = {{birth date|df=yes|1909|03|26}}
| birth_place              = [[Porbandar]], Gujarat
| birth_place              = [[Porbandar]], Gujarat
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| resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|type:landmark|display=inline}} -->
| resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|type:landmark|display=inline}} -->
| monuments                =  
| monuments                =  
| other_names              =  Himachal ({{lang-gu|હિમાચલ}}), Soham ({{lang-gu|સોહમ્}}), Chanakya ({{lang-gu|ચાણક્ય}}), Muktanand VishwaYatri ({{lang-gu|મુક્તાનંદ વિશ્વયાત્રી}}), Pandit Kaushik Sharma ({{lang-gu|પંડિત કૌશિક શર્મા}}), V. M. Vasu ({{lang-gu|વિ. મુ. વાસુ}}), Goswami Shree Vijayraiji ({{lang-gu|ગોસ્વામી શ્રી વિજયરાયજી}}), Vijaytung ({{lang-gu|વિજયતુંગ}}), Vachaspati ({{lang-gu|વાચસ્પતિ}}), Indradhanu ({{lang-gu|ઇન્દ્રધનુ}}), VasantVijay ({{lang-gu|વસંતવિજય}})
| other_names              =  Himachal, Soham, Chanakya, Muktanand VishwaYatri, Pandit Kaushik Sharma, V. M. Vasu, Goswami Shree Vijayraiji, Vijaytung, Vachaspati, Indradhanu, VasantVijay
| education                = Bhavsingh High School, [[Porbandar]]; [[Mumbai University]]
| education                = Bhavsingh High School, [[Porbandar]]; [[Mumbai University]]
| occupation                = Journalist and author
| occupation                = Journalist and author
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| website                  =  
| website                  =  
| footnotes                =  
| footnotes                =  
| box_width                =
}}
}}


'''Vijaygupta Maurya '''({{lang-gu|વિજયગુપ્ત મૌર્ય}}) was a pioneer science writer in [[Gujarati Language|Gujarati]]. He wrote thousands of articles popularising science as well as several books.
'''Vijaygupta Maurya ''' (March 26, 1903 – July 10, 1992) was a pioneer science writer in [[Gujarati Language|Gujarati]]. He wrote thousands of articles popularising science as well as several books.


==Life==
==Life==
===Early life===
===Early life===
Vijaygupta Maurya was born Vijayshankar Murarji Vasu in [[Porbandar]] (now in [[Gujarat]], India) in 1909. He completed his high school education at Bhavsingh High School in Porbandar. He studied law in [[Bombay]] (now Mumbai) and returned Porbandar in 1933 to start his legal practice. Four years later, he was elevated to the position of a judge. Due to his passion for bird watching, he wrote articles on birds for ''{{transl|gu|Prakriti}}'' magazine.<ref name=db>{{cite news|last=Khambhayata|first=Lalit|title=વિજયગુપ્ત મૌર્ય જીવંત જ્ઞાનકોષને શતાબ્દિવંદન!
Vijaygupta Maurya was born Vijayshankar Murarji Vasu in [[Porbandar]] (now in [[Gujarat]], India) in 1909. He completed his high school education at Bhavsingh High School in Porbandar. He studied law in [[Bombay]] (now Mumbai) and returned to Porbandar in 1933 to start his legal practice. Four years later, he was elevated to the position of a judge. Due to his passion for bird watching, he wrote articles on birds for ''{{Transliteration|gu|Prakriti}}'' magazine.<ref name=db>{{cite news|last=Khambhayata|first=Lalit|title=વિજયગુપ્ત મૌર્ય જીવંત જ્ઞાનકોષને શતાબ્દિવંદન!
|url=http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/100222160042_vijaygupt_maurya.html|accessdate=24 October 2012|newspaper=[[Divya Bhaskar]]|date=22 February 2010}}</ref>
|url=http://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/article/100222160042_vijaygupt_maurya.html|accessdate=24 October 2012|newspaper=[[Divya Bhaskar]]|date=22 February 2010}}</ref>


In 1944, Indian independence activist Vasant Avsare came to Porbandar and asked Vijaygupta Maurya to fight his case. However, as Vijaygupta Maurya was already at the position of judge, he could not do so. This prompted Vijaygupta Maurya to resign from his position and took Avsare's case as a lawyer. This ended Vijaygupta Maurya's career as judge and he decided to stay in Mumbai. He found a job as a typist for the salary of Rs. 0.75 per month at {{transl|gu|Gordhandas ni Pedhi}}.<ref name=hp>Pushkarna, Harshal. [http://harshalpushkarna.blogspot.com/2009/03/vijaygupta-maurya.html "Vijaygupta Maurya"], ''{{lang-gu|એક નજર આ તરફ...}}'', 22 March 2009, accessed 7 December 2010.</ref><ref name="db"/>
In 1944, Indian independence activist Vasant Avsare came to Porbandar and asked Vijaygupta Maurya to fight his case. However, as Vijaygupta Maurya was already at the position of judge, he could not do so. This prompted Vijaygupta Maurya to resign from his position and took Avsare's case as a lawyer. This ended Vijaygupta Maurya's career as judge and he decided to stay in Mumbai. He found a job as a typist for the salary of Rs. 0.75 per month at {{Transliteration|gu|Gordhandas ni Pedhi}}.<ref name=hp>Pushkarna, Harshal. [https://harshalpushkarna.blogspot.com/2009/03/vijaygupta-maurya.html "Vijaygupta Maurya"], ''{{langx|gu|એક નજર આ તરફ...}}'', 22 March 2009, accessed 7 December 2010.</ref><ref name="db"/>


===Career as Journalist and Writer===
===Career as Journalist and Writer===
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His sons, [[Nagendra Vijay]] and Bhardvaj Vijay, were also popular science writers. Nagendra Vijay started writing at the age of 14 and pioneered the first Gujarati science magazine ''Scope'' and later ''[[Safari magazine|Safari]]''. His grandson, [[Harshal Pushkarna]], is also popular science writer and currently heads ''Safari''.<ref name="db"/>
His sons, [[Nagendra Vijay]] and Bhardvaj Vijay, were also popular science writers. Nagendra Vijay started writing at the age of 14 and pioneered the first Gujarati science magazine ''Scope'' and later ''[[Safari magazine|Safari]]''. His grandson, [[Harshal Pushkarna]], is also popular science writer and currently heads ''Safari''.<ref name="db"/>


==Selected Books==
==Selected books==
Some of the [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] books authored by Vijaygupta Maurya<ref name="db"/>
Some of the [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] books authored by Vijaygupta Maurya<ref name="db"/>
* ''Sherkhan'' (શેરખાન)
* ''Sherkhan'' (શેરખાન)
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Maurya, Vijaygupta}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maurya, Vijaygupta}}
[[Category:Gujarati-language writers]]
[[Category:Gujarati-language Indian writers]]
[[Category:Gujarati people]]
[[Category:Gujarati writers]]
[[Category:1909 births]]
[[Category:1909 births]]
[[Category:1992 deaths]]
[[Category:1992 deaths]]
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[[Category:Indian popular science writers]]
[[Category:Indian popular science writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century science writers]]

Latest revision as of 07:49, 14 February 2026


Vijaygupta Maurya
Born
Vijayshankar Morarji Vasu

(1909-03-26)26 March 1909
Porbandar, Gujarat
Died(1992-07-10)10 July 1992
Other namesHimachal, Soham, Chanakya, Muktanand VishwaYatri, Pandit Kaushik Sharma, V. M. Vasu, Goswami Shree Vijayraiji, Vijaytung, Vachaspati, Indradhanu, VasantVijay
EducationBhavsingh High School, Porbandar; Mumbai University
OccupationJournalist and author
Years active1945–1991
EmployerJanmabhumi, Parkruti Magazine
Known forPioneering science journalism in Gujarati
ChildrenNagendra Vijay, Bhardvaj Vijay
Parents
  • Murarji (father)
  • Motibai (mother)

Vijaygupta Maurya (March 26, 1903 – July 10, 1992) was a pioneer science writer in Gujarati. He wrote thousands of articles popularising science as well as several books.

Life[edit | edit source]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Vijaygupta Maurya was born Vijayshankar Murarji Vasu in Porbandar (now in Gujarat, India) in 1909. He completed his high school education at Bhavsingh High School in Porbandar. He studied law in Bombay (now Mumbai) and returned to Porbandar in 1933 to start his legal practice. Four years later, he was elevated to the position of a judge. Due to his passion for bird watching, he wrote articles on birds for Prakriti magazine.[1]

In 1944, Indian independence activist Vasant Avsare came to Porbandar and asked Vijaygupta Maurya to fight his case. However, as Vijaygupta Maurya was already at the position of judge, he could not do so. This prompted Vijaygupta Maurya to resign from his position and took Avsare's case as a lawyer. This ended Vijaygupta Maurya's career as judge and he decided to stay in Mumbai. He found a job as a typist for the salary of Rs. 0.75 per month at Gordhandas ni Pedhi.[2][1]

Career as Journalist and Writer[edit | edit source]

Between financial struggles, he wrote for Prakriti magazine. Few years later, he was invited to write for a Gujarati newspaper Janmabhumi. He wrote articles on birds and animals printed on the last page of Janambhumi Pravasi with limited space and eventually became an editor and writer of the whole page. He wrote on varied subjects including science, astronomy and biology.[2]

In 1973, he left Janmabhumi Pravasi and became a freelancer writing for various magazines. He wrote several books during that time that included the theme of serving interesting information rolled up in stories as well as books based on true events. His career as a writer spanned over 46 years but he continued to struggle financially. During last years, he had several ailments including poor vision, back pain and the Parkinson's disease. After a long illness, he died on 10 July 1992.[2]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

His sons, Nagendra Vijay and Bhardvaj Vijay, were also popular science writers. Nagendra Vijay started writing at the age of 14 and pioneered the first Gujarati science magazine Scope and later Safari. His grandson, Harshal Pushkarna, is also popular science writer and currently heads Safari.[1]

Selected books[edit | edit source]

Some of the Gujarati books authored by Vijaygupta Maurya[1]

  • Sherkhan (શેરખાન)
  • Kapina Parakramo (કપિનાં પરાક્રમો)
  • Sinh Vaghni Sobatma (સિંહ વાઘની સોબતમાં)
  • Shikarini Tarap (શિકારીની તરાપ)
  • Kimiyagar Kabir (કીમિયાગર કબીર)
  • Hathina Tolama (હાથીના ટોળામાં)
  • Kutch thi Kashmir Sudhi Ladi Janyu Jawanoe (કચ્છથી કાશ્મીર સુધી લડી જાણ્યું જવાનોએ)
  • Kashmirnu Agnisnan (કાશ્મીરનું અગ્નિસ્નાન)
  • Zagmagtu Zaverat (ઝગમગતું ઝવેરાત)
  • Samudrani Ajayab Jeevshrishti (સમુદ્રની અજાયબ જીવસૃષ્ટિ)
  • Prakrutina Ladakvya Pankhio (પ્રકૃતિનાં લાડકવાયાં પંખીઓ)
  • Jindagi Jindagi (જિંદગી જિંદગી)
  • Manas Jem Boline Superstar Baneli Ek Hati Mena (માણસ જેમ બોલીને સુપરસ્ટાર બનેલી એક હતી મેના)
  • Circus Jeevanna Jivsatosatna Sahaso (સરકસ જીવનના જીવ સટોસટનાં સાહસો)
  • Samudrani Sahaskatha (સમુદ્રની સાહસકથા)
  • Prithvidarshan (પૃથ્વીદર્શન)
  • Hawamannu Gyan Sha Mate? (હવામાનનું જ્ઞાન શા માટે?)
  • Galápagos (ગાલાપાગોસ)
  • Aa Chhe Russia (આ છે રશિયા)

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Khambhayata, Lalit (22 February 2010). "વિજયગુપ્ત મૌર્ય જીવંત જ્ઞાનકોષને શતાબ્દિવંદન!". Divya Bhaskar. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Pushkarna, Harshal. "Vijaygupta Maurya", Script error: The function "langx" does not exist., 22 March 2009, accessed 7 December 2010.