An original thinker and
creative writer in both prose and verse, Professor Agam Prasad Mathur has
composed and published several volumes of prayers, hymns and devotional
songs which are reverentially read, recited, and meditated upon by lacs
of the professor's disciples and followers. The most important of these
creative works to date are entitled : Amrit Baani Volume I ("Prem
Ragini"), Amrit Baani Volume II ("Prem Tarangini"),
Amrit Bachan (in three volumes), Mystical Poems, Biography of
Lalaji Maharaj, and Biography of Kunwarji Maharaj, Radhasoami Faith-A
historical Study written by Professor A.P.Mathur and published by Vikas
Publications, Delhi, is the only book Published so far that provides the
latest and most critical information based on research about the Radhasoami
Faith. The book has been widely acclaimed by reputed historians and editors,
who have called Professor A.P.Mathur a leading historian of our times.
Through his illustrious career as an eminent and
nationally recognised educationist, historian and socio-religious reformer,
Professor Mathur has addressed a large number of public meetings, conferences,
seminars, symposia and press media. He has given the Presidential Address
to the XXVII Conference of the Institute of Historical Studies, the Inaugural
Address to the All India Economic Conference, the Presidential Address
of the Hindi Prachar Sabha (organised by the Income Tax Department), and
the Presidential Address to the XXXIII Conference of the Institute of Historical
Studies. He has also provided lectures before the Rotary Club, the Junior
Chamber of Commerce, and the Theosophical Society, among many other such
institutions, with his speeches touching on such subjects as public welfare,
philosophy, history and culture, sociology, political science, economics,
literature, art, music, the upliftment of the weaker sections of the society,
and the promotion of new educational policy. To date, some 3000 audio and
300 video tapes have been recorded of his pronouncements and are now available
for public use.
In addition to giving public lectures, Professor
Mathur has been instrumental in organizing numerous group meetings through
the years, serving as chairman of the Annual Conference of the Institute
of Historical Studies in 1976, of the Seminar on "The Improvement
in Teaching of History in Colleges" in 1981, and of the Nehru Birth
Centenary Celebrations at Agra University in 1989. In addition, he was
named President of the XXXIII Conference of the I.H.S., organized by Mumbai
University in 1996, and he was chairman of the Organizing Committee of
the Yadgar Sulh-I-Kul in 1980.
Professor Mathur is a leader of the Radhasoami
Faith, a prominent religious organization which aims to eliminate all barriers
of caste, creed, and race with a following of over 10 million in India
and abroad. He has been named Head of the Radhasoami Satsang, which, as
a token of their love, reverence, and gratitude, have published a "Felicitation
Series" in five volumes (nearly 5000 pages). These volumes contain
felicitation messages from a large number of dignitaries from all over
the world, as well as research articles by some of the world's most eminent
scholars and historians. The last volume (in three parts) exclusively contains
selected discourses, orations, and lectures by Professor Mathur himself
and is a monumental work in itself.
For the past forty-five years, Professor Mathur
has been affiliated with Agra University, teaching for thirty-three years
post-graduate classes in the field of history and guiding research work
of more than forty Ph. D. students in the area of Indian History and Culture.
His own education began at a young age with a private tutor who taught
him English, Hindi, and Mathematics at home. His academic qualifications
were earned in history at Agra University between 1950 and 1972, with the
awarding of his B.A. degree in 1950, his M.A. degree in 1952 and his PhD
in 1972. Though Professor Mathur is particularly interested in European
and British History, he is an expert of medieval and modern Indian History
and has specialized in the study of comparative religions. Professor Mathur
rose to the position of Vice-Chancellor of Agra University, Agra and held
this august office for two full terms from 22 October 1982 to 23 October
1985 and again from 28 April 1988 to 27 April 1991. As Vice-Chancellor,
he created a peaceful academic environment in the University and affiliated
colleges, implemented an academic calendar, and made regular academic sessions.
His success was a rare distinction because no other Vice-Chancellor of
Agra University has occupied this apex position for two full terms so fruitfully.
In conjunction with his professional duties, Professor
Mathur has been affiliated with a number of academic organizations and
societies. He has been granted life membership in the Author's Guild of
India, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, the Indian
History Congress, the Institute for World Congress on Human Rights, and
the International Goodwill Society of India. In addition, he is a member
of the Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Birth Centenary Celebrations Committee
of the Ministry of Welfare of the Government of India. He is a fellow of
India's Institute of Historical Studies and of the Royal Asiatic Society,
and he is a past member of the Historical Records Commission of India (1975-81).
He has recently been granted Fellowship of the United Writers' Association(FUWAI).
A direct descendant of Hazur Maharaj Rai Salig
Ram Bahadur, the first Indian Post Master General and founder of the Radhasoami
Faith, Professor Mathur has always been an upholder of the cause of the
weaker sections of society. He has been a liberal donor to both social
and educational institutions, providing as well, great support to the victims
of national calamities (raising funds and personally contributing to help
the sufferers of floods, earthquakes, and the Bangladesh Liberation War).
He has set up a number of educational institutions, shelter homes and medical
dispensaries. His work has been recognized with inclusion in Who's Who
in Indo-American Education, India Who's Who Year Book 1977-78, Learned
India Biographies, Learned Asia Who's Who, Who's Who in India, Reference
Asia, Biography International and Indo-American Who's Who.
Born in Agra, India,on 27 July 1930, Professor
Mathur is the son of Late Anand Prasad Mathur and Jagdamba Devi, who played
essential roles in shaping his balanced personality and well rounded wealth
of knowledge. Professor Mathur was married on 15 February 1956. He and
his wife, Usha, have three children, a daughter Veera, and two sons Achint
and Atul, born in 1956, 1958, and 1960 respectively.
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