Acharya Jawahar Lal

November 16, 2025

A commemorative postage stamp on the 150^th birth anniversary of Acharya Jawaharlalji, a great saint and preacher of Rashtradharma (national duty) :

Issued by India

Issued on Nov 16, 2025

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to mark his 150^th birth anniversary with a Commemorative Postage Stamp.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Ms. Ravneet Kaur

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 304560

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Jawahar Lal

Born on 2 Nov, 1875 at Thandala, Madhya Pradesh, India

Died on 10 Jul, 1943 at Bhinasar, Rajasthan, India

About :

Acharya Jawahar Lal was a great saint and preacher of Rashtradharma (national duty). He was born in Thandala (Madhya Pradesh) on 2^nd November, 1875. His mother, Nathibai passed away when he was two, and his father, Jeevraj Kavad, died when he was five. He then lived with his maternal uncle, Moolchand Dhoka, who also passed away when he was thirteen. These events deepened his spiritual inclination. At the age of 16, he accepted Jain initiation from Muni Maganlal; and at 42 years of age, he became Yuvacharya of the Shvetambara Sthanakavasi Sadhu Marg Jain Sangh, and around 44 years, he assumed the position of Acharya.
A profound scholar of the Jain Agamas, Acharya Jawahar Lal drew on texts where Bhagwan Mahavira opposed casteism and preached equality, liberty & humanity, thereby calling duty towards village, city, and nation as Dharma. The Thananga Sutra (in classical Prakrit) mentions Gramdharma, Nagardharma, and Rashtradharma – references that served as catalysts for the freedom movement. Acharya Jawahar interpreted these Agamic sutras in contemporary style. On national duty, he taught that for the sake of religion, the nation and nationalism must be protected. He was well-versed beyond Jain scriptures – in the Upanishads and the Gita which he quoted widely leaving listeners spellbound.
As a social reformer, Acharya Jawahar Lal advocated eradicating misconceptions, evils, and rigid traditions. He vehemently denounced caste discrimination and untouchability, while also criticizing various social evils such as child marriage, unequal or mismatched marriages, and the practice of treating marriage as a commercial transaction involving the sale of the bride or groom. He viewed the freedom movement as a medium not only for political liberation but also for cultural awakening, eradication of social evils, Swadeshi, self-reliance, and de-addiction. He wore khadi himself, and encouraged its adoption within his monastic community. Inspired by his nationalism and the power of discourses, many national leaders and freedom fighters sought his company.
He attained nirvana on 10^th July, 1943 at approximately 68 years of age, in Bhinasar (near Bikaner), Rajasthan.
Text : Based on information provided by Jaskaran Bothra Foundation, Mumbai.