G. S. Gai
Encyclopedia
G. S. Gai (1922–1995) is an Indian epigraphist, historical linguist, and historian, known for his expertise in early-medieval Kannada language
inscriptions. From 1962 until 1976, Gai was the Chief Epigraphist for the Archaeological Survey of India
.
Gai was awarded a Research Scholarship in 1939 at the Deccan College Post-Graduate Research Institute to investigate Kannada language
inscriptions. The inscriptions had been the subject of earlier work by A. N. Narasimhia
, whose University of London
thesis (and later book), A Grammar of the Oldest Kanarese Inscriptions, concentrated on inscriptions from the sixth and seventh centuries. Gai's own graduate work picked up where Narasimhia's left off, and focused on the inscriptions from the eighth to the tenth centuries. Gai subsequently received his Ph. D. from the University of Bombay, and his thesis, A Historical Grammar of Old Kannada: based entirely on the Kannada inscriptions of the 8th, 9th and 10th centuries A. D. was published in book form by the Deccan College
Post-graduate and Research Institute, Poona, in 1946. The book received a positive review by Thomas Burrow
in Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
, Vol. 12, No. 2 (1948), pp. 466–467, and is considered to be a pioneering study in the field.
In 1943, Gai joined the epigraphy branch of the Archaeological Survey of India
, ultimately attaining, in 1962, the highest position in the department, the Government Epigraphist for India. In 1963, the position was changed to Chief Epigraphist, one which Dr. Gai retained until his retirement in 1976.
Gai is the author of many books; in addition to this Ph. D. thesis, he is the author of Introduction to Indian epigraphy : with special reference to the development of the scripts and language (1986), Some select inscriptions (1990), Studies in Indian history, epigraphy, and culture (1992), Inscriptions of the early Kadambas (1996) and Indian epigraphy: its bearing on the history of art (edited with F. M. Asher, 1985). Gai also authored over one hundred research papers on epigraphy, history, linguistics and archaeology. He edited South Indian Inscriptions Vol. XX and Epigraphia Indica vols XXXV to XXXVIII, published by the Archaeological Survey of India. He was also the joint editor of the revised Corpus Inscripionum Indicarum, Vol. III.
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
inscriptions. From 1962 until 1976, Gai was the Chief Epigraphist for the Archaeological Survey of India
Archaeological Survey of India
The Archaeological Survey of India is a department of the Government of India, attached to the Ministry of Culture . The ASI is responsible for archaeological studies and the preservation of archaeological heritage of the country in accordance with the various acts of the Indian Parliament...
.
Gai was awarded a Research Scholarship in 1939 at the Deccan College Post-Graduate Research Institute to investigate Kannada language
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
inscriptions. The inscriptions had been the subject of earlier work by A. N. Narasimhia
A. N. Narasimhia
A. N. Narasimhia is an epigraphist and scholar of the Kannada language, especially its historical aspects.Narasimhia received his Ph. D., under the supervision of Professor R. L. Turner, from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London in 1933...
, whose University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
thesis (and later book), A Grammar of the Oldest Kanarese Inscriptions, concentrated on inscriptions from the sixth and seventh centuries. Gai's own graduate work picked up where Narasimhia's left off, and focused on the inscriptions from the eighth to the tenth centuries. Gai subsequently received his Ph. D. from the University of Bombay, and his thesis, A Historical Grammar of Old Kannada: based entirely on the Kannada inscriptions of the 8th, 9th and 10th centuries A. D. was published in book form by the Deccan College
Deccan College
Deccan College may refer to:* Deccan College Post-Graduate & Research Institute * Deccan College of Engineering and Technology * Deccan College of Medical Sciences, a medical college in Hyderabad, India....
Post-graduate and Research Institute, Poona, in 1946. The book received a positive review by Thomas Burrow
Thomas Burrow
Thomas Burrow was an Indologist and the Boden Professor of Sanskrit at the University of Oxford from 1944 to 1976. His work includes Dravidian Etymological Dictionary, The Problem of Shwa in Sanskrit and The Sanskrit Language....
in Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
, Vol. 12, No. 2 (1948), pp. 466–467, and is considered to be a pioneering study in the field.
In 1943, Gai joined the epigraphy branch of the Archaeological Survey of India
Archaeological Survey of India
The Archaeological Survey of India is a department of the Government of India, attached to the Ministry of Culture . The ASI is responsible for archaeological studies and the preservation of archaeological heritage of the country in accordance with the various acts of the Indian Parliament...
, ultimately attaining, in 1962, the highest position in the department, the Government Epigraphist for India. In 1963, the position was changed to Chief Epigraphist, one which Dr. Gai retained until his retirement in 1976.
Gai is the author of many books; in addition to this Ph. D. thesis, he is the author of Introduction to Indian epigraphy : with special reference to the development of the scripts and language (1986), Some select inscriptions (1990), Studies in Indian history, epigraphy, and culture (1992), Inscriptions of the early Kadambas (1996) and Indian epigraphy: its bearing on the history of art (edited with F. M. Asher, 1985). Gai also authored over one hundred research papers on epigraphy, history, linguistics and archaeology. He edited South Indian Inscriptions Vol. XX and Epigraphia Indica vols XXXV to XXXVIII, published by the Archaeological Survey of India. He was also the joint editor of the revised Corpus Inscripionum Indicarum, Vol. III.