Datto Vaman Potdar

Dattatray Vaman Potdar (August 5, 1890 – October 6, 1979), better known as Datto Vaman Potdar, was an Indian historian, writer, and orator. He was the Vice-Chancellor of University of Pune during 1961 - 1964.

The Government of India had honored Potdar with the title Mahamahopadhyaya (महामहोपाध्याय) in 1946, and Padmabhushan in 1967. Because of his vast knowledge, he was sometimes called as Dr. Johnson of Maharashtra or a living encyclopedia.

Potdar was a disciple of Itihasacharya Rajwade, and a trustee of Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal (इतिहास संशोधक मंडळ) in Pune. His disciples included Sane Guruji, Swami Swaroopanand, Vasudeo Sitaram Bendrey, Setu Madhavrao Pagadi, and R. C. Dhere.

Born in the Sarpotdar family in the village of Birwadi in Raigad District of Maharashtra, Potdar completed his matriculation in 1906 from Nutan Marathi Vidyalaya in Pune, and four years later received a Bachelor’s degree in History and Marathi from Fergusson College (University of Bombay in those days), also in Pune.

During 1912–1920, he taught at, and later served as the Head Master of Nutan Marathi Vidyalaya. During 1921–1935, he served as a professor at New Poona College (later renamed S. P. College) in Pune.

Potdar had mastered Sanskrit to the extent that he could fluently converse in it. He also was proficient in Persian and this proved to be valuable while conducting Historical Research.

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