A Life Dedicated to Indian Knowledge : The Interdisciplinary Contributions of Prof.Phoolchand Jain ‘Premi’

Prof.Phoolchand Jain (Varanasi), an eminent scholar in Jain Philosophy, Classical Prakrit Language & Literature, and Oriental and Indological Studies; has devoted over five decades to the field of Oriental and Indological studies; and has been making continuous efforts for the preservation, and promotion of classical Indian languages, particularly Prakrit, Sanskrit and Apbhransha languages. His contributions in the domain of ancient manuscript editing, linguistic revival, academic leadership, and community outreach, make him a towering figure in this field. With an unwavering passion and commitment, he has made significant contributions to the field and continues to do so even today. His extensive research and profound knowledge have earned him recognition worldwide, making him a renowned figure in academia and beyond.

As a professor and Head of the Department of Jain Darshan at Sampoornanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi, for over three decades, he shaped academic curricula, mentored more than 22 doctoral scholars, and elevated the study of Prakrit and Sanskrit texts to scholarly excellence. He later served as Director and Academic Director at B.L. Institute of Indology, Delhi, and continues to guide students and researchers as an Emeritus Professor at Tirthankar Mahavira University, Moradabad.

Early Foundations and the Making of a Scholar : Prof.Phoolchand Jain
The story of Prof. Phoolchand Jain begins in a small village in Madhya Pradesh, where opportunities for higher learning were scarce and financial hardship shaped daily life. Against this backdrop, his decision to pursue Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsha, and Jain philosophical studies was an act of intellectual courage. His early education in Katni and later in Banaras opened a world rich with textual traditions and set him on the path toward becoming one of the most respected figures in contemporary Indology.

A Distinguished Academic Career in Varanasi : Prof.Phoolchand Jain
For more than three decades, Prof. Jain served as Professor and Head of the Department of Jain Darshan at Sampoornanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi. His work in this period helped define the contours of Jain philosophical studies in India. He reshaped curricula, strengthened the study of Prakrit and Sanskrit primary sources, and supervised more than twenty-two doctoral dissertations. His classroom became a place where ancient texts were not only taught but lived, and his guidance helped many students build careers in universities, monastic institutions, and cultural organizations across the country.

His contributions later continued through his leadership roles at the B. L. Institute of Indology in Delhi, where he served as Director and Academic Director. Even now, as an Emeritus Professor at Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, he remains deeply involved in research guidance and the training of young scholars.

Reviving Ancient Texts Through Manuscript Discovery and Editing : Prof.Phoolchand Jain
Prof. Jain’s research work is both voluminous and invaluable. One of the most remarkable parts of Prof. Jain’s legacy lies in his work with ancient manuscripts. His rediscovery and editing of the monumental the 1,000-page rare Prakrit manuscript Mūlāchār (Bhasha Vachanika), an ancient Prakrit text by Acharya Vattaker (2nd century A.D.) with Sanskrit commentary by Acharya Vasunandi (11th–12th century A.D.) revived a nearly forgotten text of extraordinary historical value. Without his intervention, this foundational Jain text may have been lost to history. This manuscript had lain in obscurity before he undertook the painstaking task of establishing the text, annotating it, and preparing it for publication.

He also recovered and edited the Sanskrit Text Pravachana Pariksha, an 18th-century Sanskrit manuscript from the Jain Siddhant Bhavan, Ara (Bihar), published by Sampoornanand Sanskrit University in 2005. He has also contributed as editor of the 12th volume of ‘Saṃskṛta Vāṃgmaya Kā Bṛhad Itihāsa’ (History of Sanskrit Literature Series) based on the philosophy of Jain, Buddhist and Charvaka, published from Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Sansthan, Lucknow, which surveys Jain and Indic studies, further demonstrates the range of his scholarship and his capacity to bring diverse intellectual traditions into conversation. He has authored several research oriented books and over 100 research papers, covering topics such as Jain monastic conduct, ancient temple architecture, and empirical studies in Jain and Buddhist traditions.

A Prolific Author and Researcher : Prof.Phoolchand Jain
Over the course of his career, Prof. Jain has authored number of books and more than one hundred research papers. His writings explore Jain monastic discipline, ancient temple architecture, ritual traditions, and the conceptual history of Jain and Buddhist philosophical systems. His recent contributions, Arhat Jain Dharma Darshan, Prakrit-Apabhramsh Bhasha evam Sahitya : Ek Samavalokan (under publication) continue to guide contemporary discourse in Jain studies.

Some of his Empirical Research works and Publications : Prof.Phoolchand Jain

1. ‘Mulachar Ka Samikshatmak Adhyayan’-A Ph.D. Research work, P.V. Research Institute, Varanasi, 1986, pp. 600.
2. ‘Ladnun ke Jain Mandir Ka Kala Vaibhav’-A Research work published in Kolkata, 1986 showing the ancient art and architecture of the ancient Jain Temple of Ladnun.
3. ‘Jain Muni Ki Aahaar Charya’(1985) – P.V. Research Institute, Vns
4. ‘Jain Dharm Me Sraman Sangh’ (1986) – P.V. Research Institute, Vns
5. ‘Jain Sadhna Paddhati Me Tapa’(1987) – P.V. Research Institute, Vns
6. ‘Pramukh Jain Sahityakaar’(2007) – Shrut Seva Nidhi Nyas, Firozabad
7. ‘Vrat-Upwas Ki Avdharana aur Uska Vaigyanik Mahatva’(2010), Mangalayatan University, Aligarh.
8. ‘Prakrit Bhasha Vimarsh’(2013), B.L. Institute, Delhi.
9. ‘Shraman Sanskriti  aur Vaidik Vraatya’ (2017), Bhartiya Jnānpeeth
10. ‘Kashi ki Jain Vidwad Prampara’(2022), Indira Gandhi National Centre, Regional office -Varanasi
11. ‘Arhat Jain Dharma Darshan’- 2 vol (2023/ under publication Bhartiya Jnanpeeth, New Delhi)

Leadership in Classical Prakrit and Sanskrit Revival and Pedagogy : Prof.Phoolchand Jain
Beyond his research, Prof. Jain has played a central role in reviving the teaching and public appreciation of Prakrit. His summer schools and workshops at the B. L. Institute of Indology from 2012 to 2015 trained a generation of students who now teach the language across India. His Prakrit Speaking Workshop at Syadvad Mahavidyalaya in 2016. He organized 10 days workshop on the Sanskrit text ‘JAIN TARKA BHASHA’ by Acharya Yashovijay, Sponsored by and at ICPR Lucknow branch (3^rd April to 12th April 2018). broadened the reach of classical language learning.

During the pandemic, he extended this commitment to teaching by offering a six-month online diploma through the Bahubali Prakrit Vidyapeeth, helping more than one hundred students—many from outside India—study classical Jain texts at a time when in-person learning had become impossible. He also fulfilled his resolve to teach ancient Prakrit texts like Samayasaar, Dravyasangraha, etc. as a service to society, benefiting hundreds of learners. Prof.Phoolchand Jain

His most creative initiative is to introduced innovative models like Open-School Prakrit Learning at Assi Ghat, Varanasi, making the ancient language accessible to the public (2024), making the ancient language accessible to the public. Here, students, visitors, and residents encountered Prakrit in a living, informal setting that captured the spirit of community learning.

Mentorship, Community Work, and Anekant Vidya Bhavan : Prof.Phoolchand Jain
Prof. Jain’s generosity is reflected not only in his teaching but also in his personal support for students. His home in Varanasi evolved into Anekant Vidya Bhavan, a private library with more than ten thousand books, open to researchers without charge. Scholars, monks, and students have long relied on this collection, which has become a quiet hub for intellectual work in the city. His mentorship extended beyond the classroom—he supported underprivileged students financially, building a community of passionate language scholars.

His influence has extended into his own family as well. Under his guidance, his elder son established Pagad-Bhasa, the first newspaper published in Prakrit, while his younger son launched Prakrit Times, an English-language newsletter dedicated to global engagement with Prakrit studies. His wife became an expert in the Brahmi script and contributed to manuscript editing efforts, making the family, as a whole, part of the cultural work he inspired.

National Recognition and Lasting Impact : Prof.Phoolchand Jain

His relentless dedication has been widely acknowledged through more than 12 prestigious national awards, including the President’s Award (2018) for his selfless service to promote classical languages.

Reputed the Vishisht Award from the Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Academy, the Mahavira Award, the Shraman Sanskriti Unnayak Puraskar, and several honors recognizing his work in Jain canonical literature and manuscriptology.

His work has inspired scholars, revived interest in Prakrit studies, and preserved the intangible cultural and philosophical heritage of India for future generations. :Prof.Phoolchand Jain

Award Name	Year of Award	Field	Level of Award	Awarding Body
Mahavira Award	1988	Commendable Research Work on Ancient Prakrit Text	National	Jain Vidya Santhan (Mahavirji), Jaipur,Rajasthan
Late Shri Champalalji Sand Smriti Sahitya Puraskar	1990	Commendable Research Work on Ancient Prakrit Text	National	Sri Akhil Bharatvarshiya Sadhumargi Jain Sangh, Bikaner (Raj.)(Rajasthan
Sanskrit Sahitya Vishesh Puraskaar	1996	Ancient Prakrit Manuscript Editing	State	Government of Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Academy, Lucknow
Acharya Sumatisagar Memorial Jain Ratna Award	1998	Jain Philosophy	National	Shrut Samvardhan Sansthan, Meerut
Gommateshwara Vidyapeeth Prashashti	2002	Jainology and Prakrit	National	Gommateshwar Vidyapeeth, Shree Kshetra Sravanabelagola, Karnataka
Acharya Jnanasagar Ekadash Puraskar	2006	Jainism and Comparative Philosophy	National	Acharya Shri Jnansagar Vagarth Vimarsh Kendra, Byavar, Rajasthan
Ahimsa International Award	2009	Promoting Ahimsa and Shakahaar	International	Ahimsa International , New Delhi
Pt. (Dr.) Pannalal Jain Sahityacharya Smriti Vidwad Parishad Puraskar	2009	Prakrit Language and Literature	National	Akhil Bhartiya Dig. Jain Vidwat Parishad (Reg.)
Aagam Manisha Samman Award	2012	Prakrit Canonical Literature	National	Jain Vishva Bharati, Ladnun
Vishisht Award	2017	Sanskrit and Prakrit Literature	State	Government Uttar- Pradesh Sanskrit Academy, Lucknow
President Award	2018	Prakrit Language and Literature	National	Ministry of Higher Education, Government of India
Varni Award	2018	consistent contribution in the field of Prakrit Jain literature	National	Trust Committee, Prbandhkarini Samiti, Moraji, Sagar (M.P.)
Mahavira Award	2019	Literary work on Sraman and Vedic Culture	National	Jain Vidya Samsthan, (ShriMahavirji, Rajasthan)
Sraman Sanskriti Unnayak Puraskar	2021	Significant Literature work on Jainology and Prakrit Studies	National	Shri Bharatvarshiya D. Jain Teerthsanrakshini Mahasabhs, New Delhi
Rishabhdev Award	2023	Significant Literature work	National	Rishbhanchal, Gaziabad

His edited texts have entered university curricula, his pedagogical models have been adopted by institutions across India, and his alumni now teach in universities, monasteries, and cultural centers. Through his work, classical Indian knowledge traditions have gained new visibility, and the study of Jain philosophy and Prakrit literature has acquired institutional strength for the future.

Humility, Pluralism, and the Title of “Premi” : Prof.Phoolchand Jain
Prof. Jain’s life demonstrates that genuine scholarship grows from humility. Like a tree that bends under the weight of its fruit, he carried vast learning with effortless grace. His work was never driven by a desire for recognition; it was shaped instead by a quiet, disciplined devotion to inquiry. What set him apart was his openness to every tradition he encountered. Jain, Buddhist, Vedic, or philosophical schools beyond these—he approached each with the same curiosity, fairness, and respect.

His gentle manner, and instinctive warmth made him a favorite among scholars of every discipline. Many came to him not only for guidance but for the reassurance of being heard with sincerity. This same disposition drew him into numerous interfaith dialogue initiatives, where his pluralistic outlook helped build bridges between diverse communities of thought. Over time, his affectionate engagement with people and ideas earned him the name “Premi.” It became both a recognition of his temperament and a testament to the intellectual generosity that shaped his life. Through this rare blend of depth, humility, and humaneness, he turned learning into a shared journey and made pluralism a natural part of his scholarship.

A Legacy of Scholarship and Service : Prof.Phoolchand Jain
Prof. Phoolchand Jain Premi stands today as one of the foremost custodians of India’s intellectual heritage. His life illuminates how scholarship, when joined with persistent service and a commitment to teaching, can revive ancient languages and philosophical traditions for a new generation. His contributions to manuscript editing, linguistic revival, academic leadership, and community engagement have reshaped the field of Jain studies and strengthened India’s broader engagement with its classical past.

His life’s work continues to influence scholars, monks, students, and lay readers alike, ensuring that the traditions he has nurtured will remain alive in both academic research and public culture.

Prof. Jain’s Thanks note to Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi for Classical Prakrit language

Glimpse of the Presidential Award Ceremony : Prof. Phoolchand Jain Premi

Prof.Phoolchand Jain Premi​ was honored with a ​Vishisht Award​ by ​Government of U.P.

Antiquity of Prakrit Language and Literature by Prof. Jain

Importance of Prakrit language by Prof Phoolchand Jain Premi Varanasi

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In the headlines

Direct Links to his Teachings

57 classes of Online Prakrit Paathshala –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVLMG00fFFY&list=PLIHOmooYh5rZM_1Kgw-lnx3z1LFHybI-r

Online moments during Prakrit Pathshala –

https://youtu.be/6wgiBrOpvuw?si=gwmKwxwV8M-QWlOw

Classes on Prakrit Text Dravyasangraha –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s5yxm4p-e4&list=PLIHOmooYh5rZcOCgVL5klTs6BqAxCiedp

Mulachar Bhasha Vachanika (A work on Manuscripts) – https://youtube.com/shorts/96TEfIpPbKs?si=Uk6P6f-d-NXaTe7X

A writeup by Mr. Ramesh Shah, the founder of the RK Group, founder of RK Trust (rktrust.in) and co-founder of Harvard Business School Angels of India.

Some of the links of his Books available online –

Sraman Sanskriti Aur Vaidik Vratya

https://staging.vaniprakashan.com/home/product_view/5894/Sraman-Sanskriti-Aur-Vaidik-Vratya

संस्कृतवांग्मयकाबृहद्इतिहास (जैन–बौद्ध–चार्वाकदर्शन): History of Sanskrit Literature Series (Philosophy of The Jains, Buddhists and Charvak)

https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/history-of-sanskrit-literature-series-philosophy-of-jains-buddhists-and-charvak-nzm223/

Shramanasangh in Jaina Dharma 

https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/shramanasangh-in-jaina-dharma-mzh229/