Narhari Parikh

Narhari Dwarkadas Parikh was a writer, independence activist and social reformer from Gujarat, India. Influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, he was associated with Gandhian institutes throughout his life. He wrote biographies, edited works by associates and translated some works. His writing also reflected Gandhian influence.

Biography Parikh was born on 17 October 1891 in Ahmedabad. His family belonged to Kathlal (now in Kheda district). He studied in Ahmedabad and matriculated in 1906. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in History and Economics in 1911 and LL.B. in 1913. He started practicing law with his friend Mahadev Desai in 1914. In 1916, he left his practice and joined Mahatma Gandhi in social reform movements and later the Indian independence movement.

He had stroke of paralysis in 1947 but survived. He died on 15 July 1957 at Swaraj Ashram in Bardoli following paralysis and cardiac arrest.

After death of Gandhi, his ashes were kept at his Haveli in Ahmedabad before being immersed in Sabarmati River.

Works Parikh wrote some biographies of his associates; Mahadevbhainu Purvacharit (1950) of Mahadev Desai, Sardar Vallabhbhai Part 1-2 (1950, 1952) of Vallabhbhai Patel and Shreyarthini Sadhana (1953) of Kishorlal Mashruwala. Manav Arthshastra (1945) is his work on human economics. His writings on education, politics and Gandhian thought include Samyavad and Sarvoday (1934), Vardha Kelvanino Prayog (1939), Yantrani Maryada (1940). Vanmala Parikh wrote biography of Kasturba Gandhi, Amara Ba (1945), with Sushila Nayyar, an Indian physician, Gandhian and politician.