Acharangasutram Sutrakrutangsutram Cha

Author(s): Sagaranandsuri, Anandsagarsuri, Jambuvijay
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas

Page 12

LALA SUNDARLAL JAIN
Lala Sundarlal Jain, a solid and strong pillar to the house of Messrs Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, Varanasi, Patna, passed away on 23-1-78 at his residence 41 U.A. Bungalow Road, Delhi.
Calm and serene, assiduous and alert, interprising and vigilant, this grand old man of Indological publishers was the most beloved of all. His sudden and unexpected demise is an irreparable loss to the family, the international community of scholars and publishers associated with him.
He was born on 15-2-1900 in the Oswal Jain family of Lahore, the capital of undivided punjab where all facets of religious movements flourished, reviving the ancient glory of India and giving a fillip to traditional and modern learning of Sanskrit and Indic studies. His ancestor, Lala Buta Shah Jauhari, was the court-jeweller of Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab. Even in the crucial days of political turmoil, following the fall of Sikh rule, the family maintained its social status. It is recorded that Lala Buta Shah was nominated a municipal commissioner by the British regime.
The hereditary profession of the family continued for generations till Lala Motilal Jauhari diverted his mind to book trade and opened a book shop at Lahore in 1903. He set up his son Banarsidass at the shop and himself continued the profession of jewellery.
After the passing away of Lala Banarsidass at young age, the boy Sundarlal, the younger brother of Banarsidass, was called from school and initiated to the trade. He took charge of business at the age of fifteen and worked under the direction of his father who also desolated him in 1930. The sole survivor of seven brothers, given to devotion and saintly life he shouldered the management of the firm for his loving nephew Shantilal Jain, son of his elder brother Lala Banarsidass. What was undertaken as a duty became a hobby with him and then a national mission. In the publication of books he received guidance from the great Indological scholar Pandit Bhagavaddatta whose direction he always acknowledged with gratitude.
By the grace of god and under the guidance of scholars he started the Punjab Oriental Series, published works of distinguished scholars like Drs. Majumdar, Jayaswal, Law, Sarup, Caland, Jolly, Thomas and others. His missionary zeal, singular devotion to work and policy of integrity in business played a conspicuous role in creating good will for the firm. By dint of hard labour infused with faith and devotion he earned reputation in the field of Indological Publications. In all his activities he received complete cooperation from his nephew Shantilal Jain, the present head of the family and the senior partner of the firm Messrs Motilal Banarsidass.
During 1915-1928 the publishing house made rapid strides. The printing press of the firm had also developed by this time. Eminent scholars in India and abroad began to admire its services and extended cooperation by recommending its valuable publications to their institutions for purchase. The services were recognized by no less authority than Mahamahopadhyāya Dr. Har Prasad Shastri in his presidential address at the All India Oriental Conference, held at Lahore in 1928.
From 1930 to 1941 was the period of intense activity. While he entrusted the task of administration to his nephew Shantilal Jain, he applied himself to bringing social reforms in Jain commu