Pathik 2003 Vol 43 Ank 10 11 12

SR No.: 535516
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhartiben Shelat, Subhash Bramhabhatt
Publisher: Mansingji Barad Smarak Trust
Publication Year: 2003
Total Pages: 168
Language: Gujarati
Classification: Magazine, India_Pathik, & India
File Size: 11 MB

Page 36

from the autograph copy of his Arafatul Ashiqin", consisting of about 14 double space typed pages, there were as many as 118 footnotes. This shows how many books were referred by him to prepare a short article.
In the area of publications, he ensured the publication of the EPIGRAPHIA INDICA ARABIC & PERSIAN SUPPLEMENT (EIAPS), upto the issue of 1975. The major portion of the articles contained in this journal were contributed by him. This Journal had fallen in arreas during his tenure itself, due to certain technical difficulties, mainly in finding out a suitable press for printing.
He gave much importance to the Archaeological Library and it was during his time that valuable and rare books in Arabic, Persian and Urdu languages were added to the Library at Nagpur. He was the Chairman of the Library Committee existed during those days. Archaeological Library has got rare collection of books on these subjects, most of them acquired during Dr.Desai's period. He was a regular visitor to the Central Archaeological Library, New Delhi, which had huge collection of books on Epigraphy and allied subjects. Those days Mr.D.K.Kapoor used to be the Librarian attached to Central Archaeological Library. I think, no books on his favourite subjects, is left untouched by Dr.Desai in this library and Mr. Kapoor gave full cooperation to him in this respect. Those days, the ANNUAL REPORT ON INDIAN EPIGRAPHY (ARIE), an annual publication of the Survey, which contained a separate Appendix for listing Arabic & Persian Inscriptions and Muslim Coins, was compiled after consulting books, with other things like inked rubings, estampages etc., in the Central Archaeological Library, as the books required were not available in the Archaeological Library at Nagpur. He used to go frequently to Delhi for this purpose where I always accompanied him officially. Everyday, large number of books were got issued and the references noted, and some daily, sometimes, by sitting late in the night. Those days facilities of photo-copy or computer was not available and the portions marked in the books were to be typed out on the mannual typewriter.
Dr. Desai had extensively throughout the length and breadth of the country for copying inscriptions. The duration of tours was from 15 to 20 days or even more, during which period more than 100 inscriptions always accompanied him-he preferred maulana Saheb-for tour to copy inscriptions. During train journey, time was not wasted; he used to carry the rough drafts of articles, reports, books, etc. and carry out corrections, etc. till late in the night. Late Dr. K.D. Banerjee, then posted as Superintending Archaeologist for Prehistory was Dr. Desai's close friend. During lunch break, if not otherwise busy, both of them would pass the time by solving Crosswords. Once it happened so that both Dr. Banerjee and Dr. Desai travelled together on an official trip to Delhi for delivering lectures in the Institute of Archaeology in Ist Class compartment. As usual, they slept late in the night when they woke up in the morning, they found that
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