Dr. T. V. G. Sastri served as the Director of Archaeology at Kundakunda Jnanapitha in Indore—a scholarly institute dedicated to Jain studies and cultural research.
He authored and contributed significant archaeological studies, with a focus on Jain heritage, including:
• The Jain Sanctuaries of the Fortress of Gwalior (1997), documenting the Jain caves and monuments in Gwalior—this work was published under the auspices of Kundakunda Jnanapitha in Indore.
• Vaddamanu Excavations, 1981–85 (1992), undertaken under the Birla Archaeological & Cultural Research Institute, Hyderabad.
• Veerapuram, a type site for cultural study in the Krishna Valley (1984), co-authored by T. V. G. Sastri.
From an article excerpt (“The Jain Sanctuaries…”), we also learn more of his personal and academic background:
• He was born in 1922 at Agiripali, near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh.
• Completed a B.Sc. in Physics in 1945 from Andhra University.
• Subsequently earned M.A. (1962) and Ph.D. (1970) in Archaeology from M. S. University (now Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda).
• Early in his career, he taught physics in Sri Lanka before returning to India, where archaeological work associated with the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam rescue excavations piqued his interest in the field.
• He joined the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and served for about 25 years across offices in Baroda, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Goa, and Nagarjunakonda.
Full Name Dr. T. V. G. Sastri
Born 1922, Agiripali (near Vijayawada), Andhra Pradesh
Education B.Sc. in Physics (1945, Andhra University); M.A. (1962) and Ph.D. (1970) in Archaeology, M. S. University, Baroda
Career Physics teacher in Sri Lanka; ~25-year career at ASI across multiple sites; later Director of Archaeology at Kundakunda Jnanapitha, Indore
Major Works The Jain Sanctuaries of the Fortress of Gwalior (1997); Vaddamanu Excavations, 1981–85 (1992); Veerapuram… (1984)
Dr. T. V. G. Sastri emerges as a distinguished archaeologist and scholar with deep contributions to the understanding of Jain art and heritage—particularly through his documentation of Jain sanctuaries, excavations in the Krishna valley, and more. His academic journey from physics into archaeology underscores a rich interdisciplinary background.
This paper by Dr. Thomas McEvilley advocates for a comparative approach to Jaina iconography, contrasting it with traditions from the Indus Valley Civilization, ancient Mesopotamia, and broader Indic…
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A) Kurt Titze’s Jainism: A Pictorial Guide to the Religion of Non-Violence
Published by Motilal Banarsidass (1998), this visually rich volume contains 351 photographs, maps, and sketches documenting…
This issue provides a news digest highlighting recent academic events, archaeological discoveries, book publications, and institutional recognitions relevant to Jainism:
1. Academic Seminars and…
This detailed article explores the Jaina caves near Osmanabad, focusing on their archaeological structure, iconography, and religious-historical associations, especially during the Satavahana and…
This article explores the Tamil-Brāhmī inscriptions found in cave sites around Madurai, highlighting their linguistic features, chronology, paleography, and Jaina associations.
Key Points:
1.…
This article explores the historical and spiritual origins of the Mūlasaṅgha, the earliest organized monastic institution in Jainism, tracing its evolution from Mahāvīra’s time to its later…
Restoration of the Original Language of Ardhamagadhi Texts by Dr. K. R. Chandra
Reviewer: Mikal Austin Radford
Key Points:
i) The work is a methodological milestone in Jain textual linguistics.…
Dr. T. V. G. Sastri’s article “Itineraries of Mahavira in Southeastern India” examines the southward spread of Jainism into Andhra Pradesh by tracing Mahavira’s documented journeys, archaeological…
1. The article explores the diversity and depth of Jain literature, emphasizing its role beyond religion—encompassing history, geography, mathematics, astronomy, and socio-political thought. Jain…