The Riverine Odyssey of Dr. R.L. Hangloo A Scholar's Journey Through Knowledge and Resilience
Sanjay Pandita
I n the tranquil embrace of Breng Valley, a seed of wisdom found its fertile ground in the form of young Rattan Lal Hangloo, scion of an emancipated Kashmiri Pandit. Born as the third son and fourth child among nine, Hangloo commenced a journey where the streams of knowledge were scarce and the rivulets of learning ran thin. His nascent years, akin to a gentle stream, witnessed humble beginnings at a rustic pathshalla in Hangalgund. Later, he traversed to Bidder School, yet destiny's hand guided the flow back to Hangalgund, where the burgeoning stream of his education found solace in the nurturing embrace of a newly elevated primary school. As the waters grew clearer, the journey carved its way to Kokernag Brengillaqa, where the high school years painted vibrant ripples of education. The juncture at the Government Degree College in Khanabal brought forth the cascading waves of a four-year BA in arts through Kashmir University. Here, the currents of knowledge swirled, shaping the contours of a young mind ready to embrace the wide expanse ahead.
The journey surged onward, the torrent gaining momentum as Hangloo ventured into the fertile lands of higher studies. The crystal clear waters of Kashmir University shimmered with brilliance, reflecting the rare distinction of a first-class-first in history. This accolade became a tributary feeding the grand river, guiding its course towards the vast expanses of Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.
In the halls of academia, the river deepened and widened, carving a path towards the pursuit of MPhil and Ph.D. The Center for Historical Studies emerged as a confluence of wisdom, nourishing the passion for history and illuminating new horizons. From the depths of modest beginnings, ignorant of the corridors of research and the elusive contours of a PhD, Hangloo stumbled upon the hallowed wisdom of Hamza Sahib. He unveiled the tapestry of
Persian, an enigmatic language akin to an uncharted constellation, to be traversed if Hangloo aspired to decode the cryptic annals of medieval Kashmir. A canvas unfamiliar to his Urdu medium upbringing, Hangloo hesitated not, embracing the Persian language as an additional facet of his quest for knowledge. In due time, the chrysalis of ignorance yielded to the mastery of Persian, adorning Hangloo's academic mantle with the jewels of a master's in history. Thus, from the humble bud of Breng to the blossoming scholar adorned with the garland of Persian, Prof. Hangloo's odyssey echoes the perennial tale of resilience, enlightenment, and the transformative power of pursuit. In the illustrious narrative of academia, Hangloo embarked on a scholarly journey akin to a pilgrimage. Commencing with the embrace of erudition at Jawahar Lal Nehru University, he unfurled the chapters of his academic odyssey. Guided by the sagacious mentorship of Prof Mohammad Ishaq Khan, the corridors of history beckoned him to the University of Kashmir, where he imparted wisdom for a span of two and a half years. Returning to the hallowed halls of JNU, he delved deeper into the realms of knowledge, seeking the pinnacle of scholarly attainment in pursuit of his PhD.
Like a river charting its course through diverse landscapes, Hangloo's career flowed through various universities - North Eastern Hill University at Shillong, Hyderabad Central University - each bend, each turn, expanding the breadth and depth of knowledge, transforming into an expansive delta of academic contributions. In the grand narrative of academia, a new chapter unfurled as he donned the mantle of an Associate Professor at the esteemed Central University of Hyderabad. Over the years, his journey ascended, culminating in the distinguished position of a full-fledged Professor. His tireless dedication saw him serve as the inaugural Chief Proctor, Dean, and the coordinator of a pivotal project that bestowed the University with the coveted status of a Centre of Excellence. Thirty-five years adorned with dedication and unwavering
commitment defined his tenure. Hyderabad, in its academic embrace, transformed into his sanctuary, fostering and nurturing his intellect and scholarly prowess. From this hallowed haven, his scholarly pursuits soared beyond borders, traversing as a sage to far flung realms of America and France. Twice seated upon the prestigious Indian chair, he disseminated his wisdom across distant shores, illuminating the minds of eager students in universities afar. The esteemed Chancellorship at the Nobel International University in Toronto, Canada, draped him in a cloak of global admiration. His teachings graced the halls of Heidelberg University in Germany, the venerable Sorbonne in France, and esteemed institutions like Berkeley in the United States, Michigan, Delaware, Ohio, the West Indies, Turkmenistan, and Tiblisi University, each bearing witness to his erudition and guidance.
Nearly fifty individuals, under his tutelage, embarked on the intellectual journey of PhDs and MPhils, subsequently ascending to prominent positions in India and across the globe. In the annals of 2013, the tapestry of his journey brought him to Kalyani University in West Bengal, where the mantle of Vice Chancellor adorned him for three eventful years. The crescendo of his administrative legacy crescendoed at the University of Allahabad, where he donned the role of VC for four enriching years. However, the unfurling complexities of administration led him to gracefully depart from this distinguished post in early 2020, relinquishing the mantle he had worn with honour and dedication. In the corridors of academia, Professor Hangloo stood as a luminary, his name etched alongside the tomes and treatises he meticulously crafted. With a trio of books devoted to the enigmatic tapestry of Kashmir, his scholarly endeavours bore testament to his dedication. Among his written opus, the 1995 masterpiece "Agrarian System of Kashmir (1846 -1900)" stood tall, a prodigious contribution unravelling the intricate history of Kashmir's peasantry. A labour of scholarly - Sanjay Pandita Prof R L Hangloo NAAD îî JANUARY 2024 NAAD îî JANUARY
love, it originated as his doctoral thesis, setting the benchmark for his subsequent ventures.
In the tapestry of time, 2000 unveiled "State in Medieval Kashmir," an erudite portrayal offering the world its inaugural scholarly cartography of the erstwhile Kashmir state. A tome that elucidated the historical contours hitherto shrouded in obscurity. Yet, it was the post-2019 epoch that witnessed the emergence of "Kashmir Before the Accession and After" as a veritable literary phenomenon, its resonance reverberating through the digital realms of Amazon, where it reigned as a bestseller. Amidst the verdant valleys of Kashmir, Professor Hangloo graciously lent his presence, sparing moments for an interaction that unfurled the myriad layers of Kashmir's storied history. His words, a symphony of erudition, painted portraits of a past veiled in the mists of time. Nearly 200 research articles, nine profound books, and accolades from across the globe stand as tributaries contributing to the grandeur of this riverine journey. The accolades as a member of the United Nations Academic Council for Asia & Africa, the Senior Fulbright in the USA, and the scholarly experiences in France and
Germany, all weave into the fabric of this remarkable odyssey. Nine books stand as monuments to his erudition, each a testament to his unwavering pursuit of knowledge. A luminary in the academic realm, he graced prestigious institutions, leaving his indelible mark as a professor par excellence. His global footprint extended beyond borders, gracing the United Nations Academic Council for Asia & Africa, receiving the prestigious Senior Fulbright in the United States, and wielding his pen to craft Urdu poetry in "Hasraten," a testament to his versatile soul. Scholarly accolades adorned his path, from the hallowed halls of Maison de Sciences de l'Homme in France to the enriching experiences as a DAAD scholar in Germany. Dr. R.L. Hangloo's odyssey stands as an inspiration to aspiring scholars, a testament to resilience, scholarship, and an unquenchable thirst for academic excellence. Now, at the age of 70, on the tranquil banks of retrospection, Hangloo's pen carves the final chapter. A book on Kashmiri Pandits, born from the depths of a lifetime's journey, flows forth from the river of knowledge, immortalizing the tributaries of an extraordinary existence."
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Courtesy:Sanjay Pandita and January 2024, Naad