Shardha Ram Phillauri

Shardha Ram Phillauri (September 1837 – 24 June 1881) was an Indian writer, poet and social reformer, known for his contributions to Hindi and Punjabi literature. He is best known for his Hindu arti (religious hymn) Om Jai Jagdish Hare and Bhagyawati, one of the first novels in Hindi. Phillauri has also been called the "father of modern Punjabi prose".

Early life Shardha Ram was born in September 1837, to a Punjabi Hindu Brahmin family in the town of Phillaur in the Sikh Empire under the reign of Ranjit Singh. His father, Jai Dyalu, was an astrologer. Their gotra was Moudgil. with him revering the Vedas, Puranas, and Dharamashastras. His novel Bhagyawati, believed to have been written mainly in Amritsar, was first published in 1888, after Shardha Ram's death. The last of its three chapters documents Punjabi culture and language, including its customs, usages, and folk songs. The book was often prescribed as a text book. Dharm Kasauti 1874 Urdu Satya Dharm Muktawali 1875 Urdu Dharm Samvad 1876 Urdu Punjabi Batcheet 1876 Punjabi This book was specifically written to help the British understand the local dialect. It may have been the first book transliterated into Roman script from Gurmukhi script. The study of this was a requirement for admission into the administrative services. The book is taught to this day at schools affiliated with the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) Mohali. Bhagyawati 1877 Hindi This book is believed to be the first novel in Hindi. Om Jai Jagdish Hare 1870s Punjabi Translated in Punjabi the first time Shatopadesh 1886 Hindi Published posthumously. Satyamrit Pravaha Unknown Bijmantra Unknown Ramlakamdhenu Unknown Notes and references