SHRIDHAR KOUL DULLOO ( 1892-1967 ). A PIONEER
WHO SPREAD LIGHT AND KNOWLEDGE IN
LADAKH
“ Where there is form , there is emptiness .And where there
is emptiness , there is form ”
So said the Kashmiri Buddhist scholar Kumarjiva ( 334 -413
AD )who crossed over to China to spread Buddhism .
Spread of Knowledge , Logic and
Philosophy has been the principal occupation of kashmiris during ancient and
medieval periods . When their land was won over by Buddhism,
they dived deep into its philosophy and carried forward its message to far off
lands undertaking arduous journey that meant crossing
lofty mountain passes . Once Shaivism arrived , these very people carried
its message in a philosophical form giving birth to a distinct school
of thought that came to be known as Kashmir Shaivism.
In fact many present day Buddhist
scholars feel indebted to kashmiris scholars like VAIRCONA, BUDDHYASAS ,BUDDHAJIVA ,
GUNVARMAN , SHAKYA SHRIBADRA , RATNAVAJRA DHARMMITRA, TYAGHBADRA , and
the Great KUMARJIVA for
spreading Buddhism in Asia . KUMARJIVA is responsible for
revolutionizing the Chinese Buddhist thought and shaping it in tune with
Mahayana Philosophy. He was an erudite scholar who translated
various Buddhist Texts into Chinese Language .KumarJiva is responsible
for the spread of Mahayana Buddhism not only in China but in
Central Asia as well. History tells us that a large number of kashmiri
Savants crossed the PAMIRS and moved to Central Asia ,
china and present day korea for spread of Buddhism . All of them are held
in high esteem by present day Buddhist scholars world over.
I vividly remember His holiness Dalai Lama saying ( After he inaugurated the photo exhibition on ancient Buddhist historical places at Kala Kendra ,
Jammu in November 2011 )
“Kashmir held a significant place in Buddhism as the religion was
spread in China and Korea by monks who used the ancient “Silk Route” passing
through the region, to carry the Dharma to faraway places."
In the first half of last centaury, Pandit
Shridhar Joo Koul Dulloo (
1892-1967 ) also repeated what some glorious persons from Kashmir had
done to spread Knowledge and light amongst ignorant and
unaware .When Maharaja Hari Singh took over the reigns of the state
, He focused on Education , more specifically for women ,as a
high priority area. For this , he appointed a highly educated
English lady named Miss
E. Channer( Chaunner ) as Incharge of women Education in Kashmir . It
was in 1927 that Miss Channer ( Chaunner ) agreed to the idea of a kashmiri theosophist namely Srikantha Toshkhani with regard to
creation of a Women’s Welfare Trust. Many more
theosophists like Miss Margaret E. Cousins, Mrs.
L.D. Van. Gheel , Shridhar Joo Koul Dulloo and Aftab Koul Nizamat joined this Trust as its members . This group led by Srikantha Toshakhani worked
tirelessly for spread of Education amongst kashmiri women irrespective of caste
or religion. Both Pandits and
Muslims were reluctant to send girls to schools initially . This group
started with five primary schools for girls in Kashmir and prevailed
upon Miss Channer( Chaunner ) to start a separate school for Muslim
Girls from poor families who needed more time and attention on account
of their backwardness and total illiteracy back home . The number of Exclusive
schools for Muslim girls rose to three in 1929. Molvis and Purohits were also
brought inside these schools to impart religious Education . As time
passed , a large number of educated persons entered this arena and followed
the footsteps of this dedicated team .And by 1932 , there were
about 70 exclusive Girls schools in Kashmir valley.
In every meeting held by WOMEN
WELFARE TRUST ,
Shridhar Joo Koul Dulloo would always
say that they had kept one area of the state in total darkness . By this area
he meant Ladakh . Though many students would cross the Zojilla Pass and
visit his Rainawari residence in summer season for guidance
and studies ,he had a burning desire to move to ladakh and do
what his Team had done in Kashmir valley. A chance came his way in
1939 when Maharaja transferred him to Ladakh as Education officer
with clear directions to start the basic education module
over there and pull it out of the jungle of illiteracy. He did this job with
utmost dedication and devotion till 1948. Infact he is responsible for sending
the Ladakhis to schools and bringing them out from the Morass of
Darkness . For this ,Anybody who is somebody in Ladakh feels
grateful to Shridhar joo Dulloo .
During my visit to Leh in 2009, I found
every senior Ladakhi grateful to him . President All Ladakh Gompa Association
informed me that ladakhis had sent a memorandum to Bakshi
Ghulam Mohd in 1953 to appoint Dulloo ji as special
Secretary Ladakh affairs when Kushok Bakula was appointed as Deputy
Minister of Ladakh affairs . In fact Kushok ji had personally intervened
for this but some influential members within the ruling
party had opposed this move at that point of time.
( Shrdhar joo sitting on chair extreme left. DAV School Rainawari 1959 .Photo source ..Kapil Kaul Artist)
The Owner of Lehling Book store in
Leh Bazar also informed me that Shridhar Joo Dulloo’s Book on Ladakh
remains much sought after item by
foreigners’ who visit her shop.
Some elderly relatives of Shri C. Phunsog
( IAS ) ex chief Secretary J&K , whom I met in leh , also spoke very high
about the pioneering contribution of Shridhar Joo Dulloo in
spreading Education amongst Ladakhis .
This selfless service in Ladakh brought him so close to Buddhist culture and the message of Buddha that he eventually became a Buddhist .He also gained enormous knowledge about the history and culture of ladakh which is ably recorded in his Book “LADAKH THROUGH AGES “ .
In an Article , Late
Kushok Bakula , a
prominent leader from Ladakh and india’s ambassador to MONGOLIA has
written
“Generations of Ladakhis shall remain
indebted to Pandit Shridhar Kaul Dullo for his remarkable contribution
,pioneering work and legendry services to this region . He crossed the Zojilla
to spread light and dispel darkness , awakening Ladakhis from their deep
slumber . My gratitude shall always remain to this selfless
crusader of Modern education .”
In Motiyar Rainawari , Shridhar joo Dullo’s house was
virtually a Ladakh Sarai . Groups of boys would come from Leh and
stay with him . He even adopted a Girl named DOLMA as his daughter . Dolma was educated
and finally married by Shridhar joo . Due to his Buddhist beliefs
,He named his two sons as Budhadev and Sidhartha . He had fairly good knowledge
of Bodhi language . Many close members of his family say that he would
always be seen with a Book in his hand . Reading and transferring
knowledge to a large number of his pupils . And in 1967
,Shridhar joo Koul Dulloo left for his heavenly abode in peace at his Motiyar Rainawari residence .
I conclude this post on Shrdhar Joo Dulloo With some lines of noted
kashmiri poet Moti Lal saqi
Samayukk Gardish Pheirri Na vaapus
Kunnii Vizi Hargaah Pyosaai Yaad
Zeivii Paanaai Akh Aahee karrizeumm
Dhugg Andha Vandhaa Roozien shadaab…
( Moti lal saqi )
This TIME WHEEL shall not move in reverse direction now
,
But should you remember me per chance any day,
Just one wish for my well being from your mouth
,
Let my pain and suffering stay all
around ..
( Autar Mota 23.05 .2014 )
Based on a work at http:\\autarmota.blogspot.com\.
Thank you for sharing about this scholar and selfless change agent.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ajay Koul Ji...
ReplyDeleteThank you for this information I was looking for a person who would tell me about him. Recently, I got to know about this book. Will definitely go through this book. Heard about his contribution towards Ladakh and I am searching for information related to him.
ReplyDeleteYou will find a lot of mention of this guy in van beek's account! How the neo-Buddhists politicised ladakh. For me Ladakh was never ignorant, it was just peaceful and in the light of true Buddhist spirit. Further also don't forget to read how they opposed the reservation of seats for Ladakh by Ladakhi people and what they thought of Ladakhi people.
Delete