Lokesh Chandra (born 1927) is an Indian scholar of Sanskrit, Buddhist studies, and ancient Indian religion. He is noted for his extensive research in Indology, epigraphy, and the history of Buddhism, and has contributed to the study of Indian manuscripts and inscriptions.
Early life and education
Chandra was born in India and pursued higher education in Sanskrit and related fields. He earned his doctorate with a focus on Buddhist literature and Indian epigraphy.
Academic career
- Served as a professor of Sanskrit and head of the Department of Sanskrit at the University of Delhi.
- Held the position of Director of the Department of Sanskrit and was associated with the Centre for Advanced Study in Sanskrit at the University of Delhi.
- Worked as a senior research fellow at the Indian Council of Historical Research and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.
Research contributions
Chandra’s scholarship encompasses:
- Critical editions and translations of Buddhist texts, including works on Mahāyāna literature.
- Studies of ancient Indian inscriptions, particularly those related to Buddhist sites.
- Analytical works on the development of Indian philosophical traditions and the transmission of Indian culture abroad.
His research has been published in numerous scholarly journals and edited volumes, and he has contributed entries to encyclopedic reference works on Indian religions.
Awards and honors
- Awarded the Padma Shri (2000) by the Government of India for his contributions to literature and education.
- Received the Sanskrit Sahitya Akademi Award for his work in Sanskrit literature.
- Honored with various fellowships and honorary degrees from Indian academic institutions.
Selected publications
- Studies in the History of Buddhist Art (co‑edited).
- The Sanskrit Epigraphic Records of the Mauryan Empire (critical edition).
- Buddhist Manuscripts from the Central Asian Region (edited collection).
Lokesh Chandra remains a prominent figure in the fields of Indology and Buddhist studies, with a career spanning several decades and a legacy of scholarly contributions to the understanding of ancient Indian culture.
