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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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.
Yes you are very right.
History of democracy and heritage both are preserved by this person.
Great person.
Girish Sharma’s great collection tells the story of golden past of our nation.
Preserving a huge and rare collection is appreciable.
Awesome character.
Congratulations Sir.
Nice interview and great collection.
Great service of Indian history.
Pleasant personality with great sense of history.
Sir,
You are a great numismatist and a very nice human.
Yes he is very very active and having largest fan list.
Mr. Girish sharma is still on top.He is all in one person.
Numismatic community of India is very much thankful to Mr. Girish Sharma for his efforts. He is always ahead from his fellow scholars. He did all to establish Indian numismatics all over world.
A great interview of a great person of our times.
Mr. Girish Sharma is a popular figure of India.
Mr.Girish Sharma is the kind of person we all should be proud about he is the undisputed Champion Numismatic and his collection of coins and deep knowledge of history tells it all and he is very humble and kind hearted too.I for sure look at him as my Numismatic Idol and guru and wish I could be at least 10% pecent him it will a very big achievement in life .Keep up the good work and do share with us the information about places where where we can find real ,authentic Old Indian coins for reasonable price through your Noble Coins site.Thanks for every thing you have done for our country and I salute you for every thing that you are.
great collection….
hats off to u sir…. i really appreciate that .
i am also a coin and stamp collector but my collection is very little is front of u.
Indeed a great collection.India need person like Mr. Girish Sharma.
Sharma-ji,
the whole nation owe a big thank to you!
I am so lucky to have your comments on my coin pics in coinnetwork.
best regards
looking forward to meeting you in person some day!
Bharat Mata Ki Jay!
Sir,
I have never gone through a great coins collection like yours.
I can compare you with Dr. Vijay Mallya for reconstructing Indian heritage .
You both are recollecting India’s pride from abroad.
My best wishes and complements for your numismatic and hobby collectors museum.
I hope that Dr. Mallya will help you for this museum.
Really a great collection and fighting life of an orkut hero shri Girish Sharma is an example for youth of today.
I salute you sir.
Really a great person of Numismatics.As I heard he never sold any coin.
He is a single man army of Indian numismatics.
The most impressive interview of this site.
Mr. Sharma is a great person.
Very nice collection.Girish ji is a real hero of India.
Dear Girish Ji,
I am very happy to know that you got an unpublished silver coin of Chandragupta II.This is a real gem of your collection and this historical discovery is a turning point of upta numismatics.
Please accept my congratulations.
Vinay Kediya
Very rare and unique collection.
Girish Sharma is best collector indeed
seriously…..sir
U R WRTH A FAN FOLLOWING MORE THN TOSE ACTOR & ACTERESS,,,,
seriously…..sir
U R WRTH A FAN FOLLOWING MORE THN TOSE ACTOR & ACTERESS,,,,
Dear BIG.B,
I am very happy to know that you got an unpublished silver coin of Chandragupta II.I now this is a real gem of your collection and this historical discovery .
Please accept my congratulations.
sarvamitra nachan
I am verymuch happied reading that u r the follower of loknayak JP.I am also follower of JPN.I saw your coin photos.Looking your coins I felt that I am a small pond when compared your coinocean
dear girishji,
nice to read about you and your hobby.Dhanyawad !
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