Nagendranath Basu

Nagendranath Basu (নগেন্দ্রনাথ বসু) (1866-1938) was the compiler of the Bangla Bishwakosh, the first encyclopedia in Bengali and Hindi Vishvakosh, the first encyclopedia in Hindi, as well as a pioneering archaeologist and historian. The first volume of Bangla Bishwakosh was compiled by Rabgalal and Trailokyanath Mukhopadhyay, however the all the subsequent 22 volumes were compiled and published by Nagendranath which took 27 years until 1911. The 24 volume Hindi Vishvakosh was published during 1916 and 1931.

Nagendranath started his writing career with poems and novels, but he soon became involved in editing. He edited two monthly publications Tapasvini and Bharat and the Sahitya Parisad Patrika, of the Vangiya Sahitya Parishad. He founded the Kayastha Sabha and edited its publication. He edited and published several Bengali classics Bangiya Sahitya Parishat, including as Aprakakshita Rachanabali of Chandidas, Rasamabjari of Pitambar Das, Chaitanyamabgal of Jayananda, Krishvaprematarabgini of Bhagavatacharya and Jaynarayan’s Kashi-Parikrama.

Nagendranath traveled widely to examine archaeological remnants. He collected ancient manuscripts in Bengali, Sanskrit and Oriya, and compiled inscriptions on rocks and copper plates. His collection of manuscripts allowed University of Calcutta to initiate its Bengali Department.

Works

In addition to the two massive encyclopedias and the Bengali classics, his original books on history and archaeology include

• Multivolume Banger Jatiya Itihas
• Kayasther Varnaparichay,
• Shunyapurana,
• Archaeological Survey of Mayurbhanja,
• Modern Buddhism and its Followers in Orissa and
• Social History of Kamrup

Honors

He was awarded the title "Prachyavidyamaharnav". There is a street in Calcutta named Bishvakosh Lane, named after the massive efforts undertaken by Nagendranath Basu.