Pt. Gopal Das Baraiya
(1867—1 917)
Founder of Shri Gopal Jain Sidhanta Mahavidyalaya at Morena and creator of a large number of Jain scholars in the country through this famous centre of learning, Pt. Gopal Das Baraiya would ever be remembered for his yeomen services to the Jain religion.
He was born at Agra and received education only up to middle standard. He did service and business of various types at Ajmer, Bombay, Morena, Sholapur, etc. but due to his extremely honest, bold and straight forward nature could not make significant financial achievements anywhere.
He started his social life at Bombay where alongwith Pt. Dhanna Lai he established Dig. Jain Sabha in 1892. Later in 1899 he started ‘Jain Mittra’ magazine from this Sabha which gave him much fame. He also developed the work of Dig. Jain Maha Sabha. On establishment of Dig. Jain Parikshalaya in 1902.
He organised its work with devotion. Bombay Prantic Sabha was established in 1901 and he worked as its Secretary for about 8-10 years. He was Hon. Magistrate at Morena appointed by Gwalior State, member of the Panchayat Board and Chamber of Commerce there.
He studied Sanskrit and religion intensively himself, was recognised as a learned scholar even by big Pandits and was honoured with the titles of Syadwad Varidhi, Gaj Kesri and Nyaya Vachaspati. An extra-ordinary orator, he spoke mainly on Jain Sidhanta. He wrote Jain Sidhanta Darpan, Sushila (Novel) and Jain Sidhanta Praveshika. He had a strong memory and will-power, pious and simple living and had much developed power of concentration.
