Girish Sharma – Preserving Rich Indian Legacy
31 October 2008
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128 Comments
Orkut’s many communities of numismatists would be thankful to Mr. Girish Sharma for his dedication and love for preserving not only Indian but many other nations’ history. Girish has a very huge collection of coins and other antiques.
He serves as a Regional Secretary of Indian Coin Society, also President-Central India Numismatic Society and Local secretary of numismatic society of India. I am lucky to catch Mr Girish and took his precious time for answering some of my questions.
Girish can you please tell us about your family background and your education?
My ancestors were from royal Rajpurohit from Jodhpur state. They came to M.P. long ago and settled here in a remote village. I learned our traditional past from my forefather and learned cast supremo and great epigraphist late G.H. OJha.
I completed my science post graduation from Holkar Science College Indore in 1975. I represented Indore University in various debates, drama and cultural competitions .I was a popular radio programmer and very popular student leader also. As a disciple of Loknayak Shri Jay Prakash Narayan was sent to prison under the emergency rule M.I.S.A…I spent 19 months in jail for the cause of democracy in India. The whole nation was suffered tyranny of late Mrs. Indira Gandhi.
I became a hero of Indore when I released from prison.
I lead the people in elections and appointed state general secretary of ruling Janata Party.
How did you become a numismatist? Since when did you start collecting?
My late mother always keeps a box with her which is opened once a year on the festival of Deepawali. In 1973, when first time I saw the Pooja material of that box, I found there many old coins inside.
I asked my mother about those coins. She told me these are from very old times in our family. This is the capitol of your ancestors. Our entire family chief added some coins every year in this collection. There were some precious stones, ornaments also in the box.
I was amazed to see this huge collection. I examined all coins. Coin of Magdha, silver punch marked is oldest one. More than 6000 coins I counted and took photographs.
This was my very first lesson of Numismatics. Now as a family chief I am the keeper of that valuable box.
What else do you love to collect apart from coins?
I am very much fan of our national heritage and attracted to our ancient ruins, rivers and pilgrim centers. I started collecting ancient coins, archaeological items, terracotta arts, Tamra Patra, seal and sealing, paintings and beads etc.
I am having a good collection of Dinosaur’s and wooden fossils.
More than 50000 Match boxes and match labels are also in my collection.
I am regional secretary of Indian Coin Society and a grand numismatic event “Money Mela 2008” was organized by me at Indore on 21-23 Sept.08.
Which is the oldest coin you have in your collection?
Coins in ancient India began from Vedic ages. The “Nishka” was the very first coin of India. It is called as the “Rig Vedic” money just small gold object, is oldest in my collection.
I have coins of Taxila, Maurya, Indo- Greeks, Scythian, City states, Mahishmati, Kushana, Gupta, Mughal, Princly states.
You have crossed the 100000 of coins in your collection, what is next?
Coin collection is an endless hobby .No body could claim that he had collected all coins of his own nation.
Our India had ruled by many Kings, Mughal and Persian Emperors, Nawab, states from BC 5000 therefore one life is insufficient for INDIA COLLECTION.
I collect till my last day of life and before that I will establish a grand hobby museum at Indore. This will provide all numismatic material to new comers and scholars.
Indian culture and civilization is among the oldest in the world, there are many archeological sites which are still not preserved or protected, what do you like to say on this? Do you think it’s because of the government or it is because of lack of awareness among citizens?
I visited many unexplored archaeological sites in the area of river Narmada in central India and found coins of some unknown kings and ancient tribal states .I informed to concerning authorities but they all busy in their own businesses.
I trained some villagers to save the sites and remains .Govt. must take proper security for such areas.
Organization like INTACH is totally in hands of ex raja’s and very high rated selfish fellows. Fund for preservation of heritage site is being misused by NGO’s .
Lots of coins, especially those which are unique and oldest get auctioned and probably fetch millions of dollars. Did you ever tried to sell any of your collection?
I am collecting since 35 years and never sold a single coin. Contrary I bought many rare ancient coins from abroad through internet auctions. These extremely rare coins are “Nigma”, Vatsawaka, Taxila and many rarities of ancient India came back to India on my own costs and expenses. I purchased coin from every corner of the world and India.
Who are the other famous numismatists in India?
I am very lucky that our state and city is famous for academic studies in Numismatics and my self having honor of working with many great numismatists late Dr. Vakankar, Dr. Nagoo, Dr. H.V. Trivedi and Dr. Ajaymitra Shastri.
Presently I feel proud of working with Dr. S.K. Bhatt, Pro. C.S. Gupta, Pro. Devendra Handa, Dr. Dilip Rajgour etc.
What is your ultimate goal in life?
Sarve Bhavantu sukhina:
Every human on earth be happy, healthy and wealthy”
Who is your idol?
Loknayak Jayprakash Narayan, the man who taught me fighting against the tyrant power.
He was a light house in the dark nights of emergency.
The most unforgettable day in your life?
25 June 1975 the day of my arrest under MISA.
Any message for our readers?
“Save our heritage”
“Daro mat..maroge nahi”. Don’t fear you will not die.
Some very rare coins in Girish Sharma’s collection
Girish Sharma,
102, Diamond Trade Centre,3/4 New Palasia, Indore 452001
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gr8 interview sir,
you are undoubtedly a very great numismatic but more than that you are a gr8 personality ..
I salute you for your dedications….n thx 4 saving..purani yadien.n anmol bharat…hats..off to u sai…
It is really laudable to have a hobby and even more so to continue it for so many years. These passions keep us from leading lives of robots and just eating, sleeping and working.
Your dedication to your hobby is a source of inspiration to me and I hope you collect 100000 more coins in the next year…
Really a great charector of India.he left politics for his passion ie Numismatics.He was a papular political leader of M.P..
We all new comers are fan of Mr. Girish Sharma.
He is first ever superstar of Yahoo.com.
visit -http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-te5Q5aMoRKfY7EFGVSqQq52GFXY7cinb?p=5154
It is very hard to maintain a single hobby because the price of collectables is very high and Mr. Girish Sharma is having too many hobbies. It is a very expensive and tough job.
I congratulate Mr. Girish Sharma for his solo effort.
Wow….great passion indeed.An example for new generation.
Sir, we are with you.
Congratulation Girish ji. I hope you will be awarded “PadamShri” from Govt. of India.
Grand collection and decent and polite numismatist of India.
Mr. Sharma you are a real Numismatist of India.I salute you for saving our past.
i never seen collection like this.This is greatest ever.
A man with noble goals.
great
His collection and passion are amazing.
Decent and informative interview.
Very rich collection of a patriot person.
“???? ??? ??? ?? ???? ???!
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wow…great coins in his collection.Numismatics is live speciman of centuries.more evident than other historical remain.
Respected Sharma Sir,
i feel proud that we Indore people have a great man with us.
i remember your powerful days when you was a top leader of Madhya Pradesh.
i always tell stories of your fights for poor people.
i hope you will come back to politics for leaderless Indore.
Sir,
i have great pleasure to see you here.
We are friends at face book.com and you always doing great work for the numismatics.
My best wishes are always with you.
Dear sir,
Your coin “Vatsavaka” comes in great rarety .This is an earliest inscribed coin and I never senn in any exhibition or musuem of India.
Thanks for a nice interview.
You are not only an Orkut Hero but i admire you as a Hero of our nation.
Respected Sir,
First of all congrats for becoming Orkut Hero, but its nothing infront of your these activities.. may you achieve the peak for which you are made.. Insha-Allah.
Once again, Congratulations…..
We are proud of you, you are GEM amongst Numismatics Circle.
This is an open hearted interview.
Ham sab waqt ki kathpootliyan hein. samay aur bhagya jahan le jana chahe,jana padta hei.
Girish Sir,
you are really a Hero as you saved democrasy and our heritage both.
i am proud of you.
He is my mentor and i am learning a lot from him.
keep it going sir.
always supporting you.
Manas Khanna
A M A Z I N G.
Full of antiques and ancient coins.
Really a great collection.
You are Sachin Tendulkar of Numismatics.
Great Man of Indian Numismatics.
He is a light house of numismatics .
Wow….great passion indeed.
An example for new generation.
nice………………..
Great collection of a great numismatist and a humble man.
You are the best Sir.
I salute you for your dedications.
No one is near to your talent and knowledge of Indian Numismatics.
He is really a amazing personlity of our nation.In this crucial time nobody thinking about india. Mr. Girish Sharm using his hard earned money for preserving heritage.
Great…
Dear Girish Ji,
It was my good luck when I met you at 92nd conference of numismatic society of India at Indore. The total management was too good and a best academic session I enjoyed there.
I listened you in that conference and visited to your coins display. Your entire family was there and helping you for event. I never had seen a dedicated family like yours.
You are transferring your hobby to your son as a good habit.
I like to congratulate you for this honor.
Congratulation Sir.
I became very happy seeing the photo of Girish sharma a great numismatist -prakash shet nagar
This is a long way of 35 years…he stayed prompt and never sold a coin….Great.
Collected not only rare coins but seals,tokens,fossils,paintings,Teracota arts and Match boxes for his hobby.
Really a great passion.
Congratulations.
His Orkut album is full with energy of centuries. He is hero of real life also.
As i remember that last year Mr. Girish Sharma was selected first ever Indian “Yahoo Super Star of 2007″ for his wisdom and learned answers.
Mr. Girish Sharma is buying ancient Indian coins from abroad through internet sites. He is doing his all effort for getting back our ancient heritage. Great mission indeed.
We must support him for this noble cause.
Great Sir.
My coins details in this page-
1- Gold coin of Kushana,very rare
2- Early silver punch marked coin Narahan type,BC 600.
3-Silver coin of Kuntala Janapad
4 Coin of Vatsavaka = Vat [baniyan tree) + Ashvak (horse riders]
This profile shows the deep understanding, passion and attachment towards Indian history.
This Orkut Hero is not living in only past but he fought for peoples rights in emergency too.
These two separate way of his life makes him a grand personality.
i know many numismatists of India who are smuggling our coins to US and Uk. They are selling through international auctions other side this man is trying to get back heritage to India without any financial support of government authorities.
He is really an unique man in modern time.
Awesome Collections!! salute you for your dedications.
Interview with Mr. Girish Sharma is a best ever on this site. He told all about his life in very short way but this is very informative and inspiring one.
Orkut hero …no he is a hero of nation.
Thankx for a decent interview.
This is very tough to find a person like Mr. Girish Sharma in present scenario,
Where every famous person is behind the big money.
An exemplary profile and a nice interview.
Best coins and antique collection.
The best selection for “Orkut hero”.
He left no stone unturned.
We must help for his museum project.
Congratulation Mr. Sharma.
You are a decent and best collector.
Keep it up Mr. Sharma.
CONGRATULATIONS.
A great man with ethics and politeness.
He is very dynamic person of India.
I read every word with full interests.
A pure collector.
He is king of internet numismatics also. Look his last achievement of Yahoo super star 2007.
Yahoo says—
Girish Sharma has spent close to a year on Answers, and is now a level 6 user with 22531 points. But that is not just why he is our first superstar – he is a man of many facets and interests and is a trusted Answerer, so much so that more than half his answers have been best answers!
He is a numismatist, a coin collector and an archaeologist. His interests are varied but he’s very passionate about politics – be it past, present and future. In fact, he’s been a political activist in his young days, and has even spent 2 years in prison during the seventies Emergency! He feels that the current political scenario needs to undergo a sea change and some of his answers to questions on politics show how strongly he feels about our country’s state of affairs.
We’re very proud to have such a committed Answerer on board, Girish. May your Answers be the inspiration for all budding politicians and leaders of our country. They surely need it, don’t they?
Three cheers to our first ever Superstar!
Suma
Yahoo! Answers Team
I admire his passion and fight for democratic rights.
Thanks for selecting a great personlity as Orkut hero.
Good interview .
Nice selction.
Congratulation Mr. Sharma
Great selection…
He collects many articles of Archaeological importance.
We can see in the museums only few things other important items are in safe custody.
I am lucky that I am able to see these items freely at home through Girish Sharma’s collection..
Congratulation Mr. Sharma.
You have an amazing collection. Keep it up.
Thanks to selectors for selecting a best Orkut member as Orkut Hero.
Cheers
Mr. Girish Sharma is a best Numismatist of India. His collection is splendid.
C O G R A T U L A T I O N S>
Very good profile of a very good man.
Zazo ,thanks for introducing a noble man.
We all friends of orkut, face book, my space and Hi5 are happy to read about Orkut hero selection of Mr. Girish Sharma.
Congratulations Mr. Sharma.
Hello girish ji,
I am your fan since 5 years. We met on internet.
Congratulations.
Dear Girish Sharma ji,
Please accept my heartiest best wishes for this grand achievement.
Orkut is favorite site of world and now you are a hero of this site.
Great.
Girish ji,
You are having best collection of India.
Thanks for preserving our past for future.
Papa,
you are really a great person.
I am a proud doughter coz i have a father like you.
congrats PAPA.
This is a papular profile of orkut and Numismatist Mr. Sharma is more papular in net friends.
Cheers for Mr. Sharma
Congratulations on becoming an orkut hero. Went thru your interview I am impressed. You are one of the role models of my life.
Congratulations our Orkut hero.
Great collection,nice man.Best interview.
Dear Sir,
I am aware of all your Awards and your Popularity.I always pray for you and your Happiness.You are indeed doing a lot for the numismatic world,Keep it up and I always send my respects and also seek Advice from you.
Respects and Love always.
Zazo,
You selected a very nice profile for orkut hero.
Mr. Sharma is man of principals and ideal life.
hello, Mr. Girish Sharma you are great coin’s colletore in INDIA, your achivement all sucess, best wishses
Only one word—- You are a great person…..
He helped me always in Numismatics.He is best person of orkut.com.
Congratulations from me and my friends Sir.
Dear Girish,
I have just gone thru ur interview and feel happy to know more about u. I also appreciate ur very bold statements. There are very few people in India who share ur concern for the heritage. My best wishes and greetings.
Devendra Handa
Girish ji,
I have a word for you and your life- S U P E R B.
Mr Girish Sharma has no doubt a very great collection.. A collection a man can eer dream of….
But on the other side … Is he as encouraging to new people who are interested in this hobby or as helpful as he claims? I think not…
Out of the many, one of the experiences I had… as once i asked him of some of the numismatic societies where membership is open… he did not reply….
Is just a not a great job to put or nominate yourself in Yahoo or Orkut and write it in your profile, showing that Yahoo people or Orkut people nominated him….
Initially I took you for Guruji but I take back the honour…
Anyways all the best…. No Hard feelings….
I like to congratulate Mr. Girish Sharma for his great collection.
He has a great cooperative attitude and always a helping hand for new comers.
SMAX- I don’t know who are you but you should not make false allegations of not replying your question. I think you are same person who was begging some numismatic gift from Mr. Sharma at Orkut; you blocked by Mr. Sharma for your irritating scraps. Please do not make unwanted comment on a great person of Indian Numismatics.
Suketu Shah,Ahemadabad
Sorry Mr Suketu Shah…. Would you please mind your own business…
As for begging… sorry sir.. u got a wrong man… myself a amateur collector who doesn’t beg… although if need arises i pay any sum of money.. if something catches my fancy…. so would you please take that back…
I had once requested him to refer some numismatic societies where i can enrich my knowledge and that was it… he didn’t answer…
I do have high regards for him as a collector… as he is one of the finest collector…. but the question was regarding his attitude… and i didn’t mean to hurt anyone… it was just a feeling which i had… that’s it..
And for Mr Suketu Shah… i wasn’t meant to disgrace you or Mr Girish Sharma….
Hi,
With reference to above two messages I like to say that you both are in some misunderstandings.
As per my own experiences, I always got reply of my queries/questions and mails from Mr. Girish Sharma. I know he is very busy person and having his own very large network of govt. contractor ship in Railway, BSNL, Electricity boards and having a fleet of 4500 employees.
He is having membership of many websites and other organizations all over the world.
I can say that the list required by Mr. SAMX is too big as 500 numismatic societies for membership with addresses. Sending such huge list a big job for a busy person.
Mr. SAMX, I checked all scraps of Mr. Girish Sharma and could not find any single scrap from you. I know that your name is Sailesh Sarmah and you are from Teensukiya. Although you had not given your name in your above messages.
Let me say that how a man became so bad for you if he could not send any big list to you?
For Mr. Suketu Shah- Mr. Sailesh is not that irritating person which was blocked by Mr. Girish Sharma just two weeks before at orkut. Please correct your info.
We all must be very happy to know that Orkut and yahoo etc are concentrating on high achievers of India and Mr. Girish Sharma is one of great celebrity of numismatic world.
I hope that this chapter is closed now.
Great antique collection and life story of Girish Ji will inspire many new comers of India.
congratulation Mr.Girish Sir.
Girish Ji,
Bahut- bahut badhaiyan.
Jalnewale jalte rahe….duniya aapke saath hei.
Every great man suffered by very low mentality person in history.
Please ignore them and keep your noble work up.
Sorry Mr Chtrakant Chandan, it was just a passing thought as I really was hurt… Let’s seriously end it..
As for Mr Girish Sharma… I know he’s surely a busy man… but i seriously didn’t intend to hurt him or any-one… I offer my sincere apology for what i have said… actually I don’t know how to delete my earlier post…otherwise i would have deleated it…
I always will carry a very high regards for this gentleman… for his collection.
And to assure you this is not Shailesh Sharma… I don’t intend to pull any one else to it….
Thanx Mr Chtrakant for this….
….Alls Well That’s Ends Well….
I met Mr. Girish Sharma in 1998 at an ancient archaelogical site near river Narmda.He was searching there some teracota items. I saw that in a hot day he is doing his job very promptly.
We must keep a proper honor for this goodman of India.
Rich man…rich thoughts.
Girish Ji,
Your work for Indian heritage is really very good.
We are proud of you.
I always found you on top sir,You are a great numismatist and a big hearted person.
Nice collection and best orkut profile.
Respected Sharma ji,
Congratulations.
You are a best numismatist of India.
Congratulations mr. Sharma
No one is having passions like you.
Aapse behtar koi nahi.
you are best.
Girish Ji is having very good collection of coins and antiques.
Congratulation for the title of Orkut hero.
I am very pleased to see your coins on many internet sites.This is only you who posted rare coins every where on net.You are frontliner of Indian Numismatics.
Dear Girish Sharma ji,
Congratulations.
I hope that we will meet at Kolkata exhibition in on dec 25.
Great thinkings.You are a safe guard of India heritage.
Congratulations Sharma ji,
You are on path of great mission.Keep it up.
Nice hobby and nice collection.
Your profile is useful for young generation.
u r really amezing with numismatic.
wat can i say abt this man!
he his da god of numismatics!!
100000 COINS!!
he is of extreme help!
Nice interview of a great person.
He is a best numismatist and a decent person.
He is a great collector,an archaeologist,antique collector and a person with ethics.
This interview is very useful for all Indians.
A best interview about life circle of a wellknown numismatist.
His coin albums at orkut always lured me.I got help from Mr. sharma for my coins collection.
Congratuations Sir.
Very nice interview.You faced struggles in life and created a grand collection.
Sir ,
you are a hero of india and most active numismatist also.
I salute you.
Congratulations Mr. Sharma.I was,I am and I will be your fan forever.
Dear sir,
please accept my congratulation.I always found you very ahead than others.You are a hero of real life.
You are pride of nation.
sir may i know the meaning of gopal rahi
Dear Lakshmi ji,
you asked a question about my nearest friend Gopal Rahi.
This name is more than any meaning for me.He is my friend since 40 years.
He is not a name of a man but name of my heart.
Do you know him???
Girish Sharma
Girish Sir,
you are very active and energetic person .I am a fan of you.
Congratulations Sir.
Your collection is great.
I thank God I’m rich not with money but with people like you. I may not have the most expensive things but I’ve got a most precious gem… a friend like you.
Dear Girish Ji,
No doubt your collection of coins is formidable. Not only in quantity but in Quality as well. Keep it up.
Respected Girish Sir,
Praising about you will be just like throwing light on sun, so I couldn’t say anything but your efforts will be always remembered for numismatism in india.
Aapse behtar collection kisi ke paas nahi,
Sir, you are a nice person too.
Dear Girish Ji,
I am a politician and enjoyed a lot of offices/ppl and many big persons in my life.
I have deep interest in Numismatics.
Let me say that I never visited a collection like yours.
Cangratulations.
Nice profile
Nice collection
Nice life style,
Nice interview.
Girish sharma ji,
I visited all your net albums and well aware about your coin exhibitions.
You are a living hero of our nation.
Nice collection and interview.
Your fight for the rights of public is an example for present leaders.
Coin collection is a royal hobby.
Girish Sharma’s collection is superb.
Great work in the field of ancient history of India.
A best safe guard of Indian democracy and heritage.