Pt.Manohar Lai Shah was born to his parents Shri Chitarmal Shah and Smt. Moti Bai at Kekri in Distt. Ajmer (Rajasthan). He passed Vyakaran Madhyama from Indore and Jain Darshan Shastri examination from Queens College, Banaras. He worked as Head Master for 10 years in Jain Vidyaiaya at Kuchaman and later as teacher of religion and Sanskrit at Jain School, Sujangarh.
Presently he is working with Seth Harak Chand at Ranchi. Author of Shrawak Kartavya Darpan, Jainabhishek, Aryka Charitra and Ahimsa Darshan (5 Vol.—published thrice) he has composed many religious poems. Vir Nirwan Bharati has honoured him with the title of ‘Sidhantacharya’ and awarded a cash prize of Rs. 2500/-in 1974.