Asharam Dalichand Shah

Career Asharam Shah's career spanned over four decades, during which he transitioned from an educator to a high-ranking administrator in various princely states.

Educational Service (1859–1865) Unable to pursue higher studies, Asharam joined the Agency's Education Department. In July 1859, at the age of 17, he was appointed as a teacher in Limbdi. At Limbdi, he gained the confidence of the administration and was appointed as the tutor to the minor heir apparent, Jaswantsinhji, who later became the Thakur Sahib of Limbdi.

In July 1863, he was transferred to Jamnagar (Nawanagar State) as a teacher. His success attracted the attention of the ruler, Jam Vibhaji II, and his Diwan, Sheth Bhagwanji, who eventually offered him a distinct role in the state administration. The case was being arbitrated by Narayan Vasudev Kharkar. Asharam's knowledge of local geography and records contributed significantly to Jamnagar winning the dispute. Additionally, the Diwan was involved in a succession intrigue regarding Kalubha, an illegitimate son of the ruler, which Asharam and his group did not support. Consequently, Asharam and Bhagvat were dismissed from Jamnagar service in late 1865.

Legal Practice and Return to Service Returning to Rajkot, Asharam obtained a Sanad (license) to practice as a pleader (lawyer) in the Agency courts, which had recently been established by Colonel R. H. Keating. He practiced law for a short period in 1866–67. However, the financial instability of the legal profession at the time, combined with family debts, led him to accept a stable employment offer from the Morvi State.

Service in Morvi State Asharam's tenure in Morvi was one of the most significant phases of his career. He was initially appointed as a tutor to the young heir, Waghji II, by Thakur Sahib Rawaji. His role quickly expanded to that of a private secretary, advisor, and a member of the legal council. There, they met with the Governor, Sir Seymour Vesey-FitzGerald. Asharam assisted in drafting the appeals and provided critical data to the state solicitors. The Bombay Government's final resolution overturned significant parts of the lower ruling, resulting in a favorable outcome for Morvi.

Suppression of Outlaws (Bahirvatu) Following the death of Thakur Sahib Rawaji, Morvi was placed under joint administration during the minority of Waghji II. During this period, the state was plagued by "Bahirvatu" (armed outlawry) by the Deda chieftains and Miyana tribesmen.

The Deda Girassias had gone into outlawry against the state, kidnapping citizens and looting villages. Asharam was appointed to work with Superintendent Ghelabhai to track them. Through a combination of military pressure and negotiation, they recovered hostages. Later, Asharam facilitated a meeting between the outlaws and the Queen Mother, Monghiba, at Viramgam to negotiate a surrender. When the negotiations failed due to the obstinacy of the younger outlaws, Asharam warned them that the era of leniency was over, and they would face destruction by the British Raj—a prediction that came true when they were eventually killed or captured.

Administrator of Maliya Recognizing his ability to handle turbulent territories, the British Political Agent appointed Asharam as the Administrator (Karbhari) of Maliya state, a jurisdiction notorious for the lawlessness of the Miyana tribe.

The Miyanas were a martial tribe known for looting and resisting authority. Asharam implemented a strict policy of disarmament. During the Second Anglo-Afghan War, a British cavalry regiment passed through Maliya. A dispute arose between the Miyanas and the soldiers, leading to the murder of a British sentry guarding the Commanding Officer's tent. Seizing this incident as proof of their danger, Asharam successfully petitioned the Agency to allow the total disarmament of the tribe. He confiscated cartloads of weapons, significantly reducing crime in the area. The ruler of Lathi was the minor Thakur Sursinhji Takhtasinhji Gohil, who would later become famous as the Gujarati poet Kalapi. It was during Asharam's tenure that Sursinhji's marriage was celebrated, an event attended by the renowned poet Dalpatram and the younger poet Manishankar Ratnaji Bhatt ('Kant'). This gathering at Lathi is noted as the first meeting between these literary figures.

In the winter of 1891–92, a gang of Miyana outlaws raided the outskirts of Lathi. Despite being in his 50s, Asharam personally led a small cavalry force to besiege the outlaws who were hiding in a stepwell. A gun battle ensued, lasting the entire day, though the outlaws managed to escape under the cover of darkness.

Later career After handing over the administration of Lathi to the adult ruler, Asharam served briefly as the manager of Chuda state and later as the administrator of Bantwa and Sardargadh (Gidad). He retired from active service in 1898 at the age of 56, rejecting offers to extend his service, in order to pursue religious and literary interests. Asharam was appointed as a trustee and worked for several years to protect the interests of the minor heir, Acharya Vasudevprasadji. He managed the temple's estates and legal battles without accepting any remuneration, eventually ensuring the safe installation of the young Acharya.

Literary Works Asharam Shah is best known in Gujarati literature for his work in folklore and proverbs.

He spent over twenty years collecting Gujarati proverbs, idioms, and sayings, and published the results in Gujarati Kahevat Sangraha (A Collection of Gujarati Proverbs) in 1911. The work organizes these expressions with information on their meanings, variant forms, and regional usage across Gujarat, and often notes the circumstances or anecdotes associated with their origin. It also traces proverbs derived from Sanskrit and records their later forms, and in many cases provides corresponding examples from Hindi and Marathi.

He continued to revise and expand the collection until his death. A second, significantly enlarged edition was published posthumously by his sons in 1923. The work remains a key reference text for Gujarati folklore and linguistics.

Personal life Asharam was described as a man of tall stature and strong physical build. He was a skilled horseman and marksman, retaining the ability to shoot accurately well into his seventies.

He married twice. His first wife died young. His second wife, Manchhaba, survived him.

Lallubhai Asharam Shah (1873–1926): A distinguished jurist who became a Judge of the Bombay High Court and was knighted by the British government.

Asharam died on 26 March 1921 at the age of 79.