Mahatma Hansraj

April 20, 2024

A commemorative postage stamp on Mahatma Hansraj, an Indian educationist, Founder and first Principal of the First DAV (Dayanand Anglo-Vedic) School in Lahore :

Issued by India

Issued on Apr 20, 2024

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue Commemorative Postage Stamp on Mahatma Hansraj and appreciates his contribution in building up a new era of education and in enlightening the path for many disciples.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Sh. Suresh Kumar
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 301600

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Lala Hansraj

Born on 19 Apr, 1864 at Bajwara, Hoshiarpur district, Punjab, India

Died on 15 Nov, 1938 at Lahore, Punjab, British India [now in Pakistan]

About :

The DAV College Trust & Management Society, formed by a group of socially oriented people of Lahore, to raise a memorial in honor of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the path maker of Indian Renaissance in the 19^th century, established its first institution – DAV School, on 1^st June, 1886.
Lala Hansraj, a young boy of 22 years, who had just graduated his degree in Arts, standing 2^nd in the Panjab University, came forward to take up the responsibility of Head Master of DAV School in the honorary capacity for his whole life.
Born on 19^th April, 1864, in a respectable family of a modest means at a small sleepy old town, Bajwara near Hoshiarpur (Punjab), Hansraj had his early education at a school in Bajwara and later on at Hoshiarpur. He joined his elder brother, Shri Mulkh Raj, who was working in the post office at Lahore. Hansraj passed his Entrance Examination of Calcutta University and obtained B.A. degree from Panjab University College, Lahore, standing 2^nd in the University. This achievement brought a ray of hope, as Lala Hansraj could now earn his fortune, in the adverse pecuniary circumstances of his family, while working on any coveted position as a government servant.
The Arya Samaj, Lahore, was under immense pressure to start a DAV School in the memory of Swami Dayanand Saraswati. The founding fathers were searching for an Indian who could take up the responsibility of working as Head Master of the School.
Lala Hansraj by this time had started attending the meetings of Arya Samaj, Lahore and was deeply impressed by the life and work of Swami Dayanand Saraswati. He was convinced with the idea of indigenous effort of educating the youth as envisaged in the draft resolution of DAV Society. He understood the difficulty of the Arya Samaj in finding out an Indian to head the proposed DAV School. He deliberated upon and came out with an unflinching resolution of offering his life-time honorary services as head of DAV School. In 1889, when the 1^st College was opened, he became the 1^st Principal of the DAV College, Lahore.
This decision of Lala Hansraj created a history in the then educational scenario, though, at the cost of hardships to him and his family. The DAV owes its present status of 1000 vibrant educational campuses to the solemn resolve of sacrificing all conveniences of his life, taken so firmly by Lala Hansraj for the cause of education. He professed and practiced the idea of education wedded to morality. For his selfless service to the society and to the relentless attitude of sacrificing all conveniences of life for the larger good of the society, he was lovingly referred as Mahatma.
Mahatma Hansraj, an ardent champion of his religion and a public-spirited person, was rightly identified with the social and moral revival of India besides his contribution in the field of education. Mahatma Hansraj played a pivotal role in the eradication of social evils like casteism, child marriage, female infanticide, perpetual widowhood, sati pratha. He also played a rich role in the struggle for national freedom, doing invaluable service to the nation in the times of earthquakes, famines, floods, epidemics, communal riots etc.
He was elected as the President of DAV College Managing Committee for 7 years and also as the President of Arya Pradeshik Pratinidhi Sabha for 45 years.
Mahatma Hansraj was a prolific writer, profound scholar, a symbol of simplicity, honesty, sacrifice and dedication. Having served his nation for more than half a century, Mahatma ji breathed his last on 15 November, 1938 leaving behind a message of unflinching faith in Arya Samaj and vaidik principles, nationalism, self-help and self-sacrifice.
Text : Referenced from content provided by Proponent.