Staff Reporter / New Delhi
In a significant gesture aimed at preserving and promoting critical scholarship, the family of Dwijendra Narayan Jha has donated his entire collection of books, research papers, and personal notes to the library of the Communist Party of India at Ajoy Bhawan.
The collection, built over decades of rigorous academic work, reflects Prof. Jha’s lifelong engagement with the study of ancient Indian history. Known for his bold and evidence-based approach, his writings—including The Myth of the Holy Cow and Ancient India: An Introductory Outline—challenged communal interpretations of history and emphasized scholarly integrity.
A respected academic, Prof. Jha taught at the University of Delhi and was also associated with the Indian Council of Historical Research. Throughout his career, he remained a vocal advocate of secularism and consistently opposed attempts to distort history for ideological purposes.
Senior leaders of the CPI, including General Secretary D. Raja, along with National Secretaries Rama Krushna Panda, Girish, Annie Raja, and K. Prekash Babu, formally received the collection.
On behalf of the party, D. Raja expressed deep gratitude to the family and paid tribute to Prof. Jha’s enduring intellectual contributions, noting that his work continues to inspire scholars committed to rational inquiry and progressive thought.
The CPI has announced that a dedicated Prof. D. N. Jha Memorial Corner will be established within its library. The collection will be made accessible to researchers, students, and readers, ensuring that his legacy of critical scholarship and fearless engagement with history continues to influence future generations.