Born in Lalitpur District, Nepal
Satya Mohan Joshi
Deceasedसत्यमोहन जोशी
Also known as Shatabdi Purush
Cultural historian and folklorist honoured as "Shatabdi Purush" (Man of the Century), first director of Nepal's Department of Archaeology
About
Satya Mohan Joshi devoted a career spanning more than eight decades to documenting Nepal’s history, folk culture, and artistic heritage. He wrote over 60 books. He won the Madan Puraskar three times.
From 1959, he served as the first director of Nepal’s Department of Archaeology. He founded the National Theatre in Kathmandu. He also founded several of the country’s earliest museums. While teaching in China, he later carried out pioneering research on the 15th-century artist Araniko.
People across Nepal revered him as “Shatabdi Purush,” or Man of the Century. He remained active almost to the end of his life. At 101, he became the first person to receive Nepal’s electronic passport. He died in 2022, at age 102.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1920-05-12
- Birthplace
- Lalitpur District, Nepal
- Profession
- Writer, Historian, Folklorist
- Nationality
- Nepal
- Status
- Deceased
- Died
- 2022-10-16
Previous roles
First Director
Department of Archaeology, Nepal · 1959
Chancellor
Nepal Bhasa Academy
Education
Durbar High School
Tri-Chandra College
BA
Career & life timeline
- 1920
- 1956
Won his first Madan Puraskar, for Hamro Lok Sanskriti
- 1959
Became the first Director of Nepal's Department of Archaeology and founded the National Theatre in Kathmandu
- 1960
Traveled to China to teach Nepali at the Peking Broadcasting Institute and researched the artist Araniko
- 2021
Became the first person to receive Nepal's electronic passport, at age 101
- 2022
Died in Lalitpur at age 102
Achievements
Founded the Rastriya Naachghar (National Theatre) in Kathmandu
Founded the Archaeological Garden in Patan, the Archaeological Museum in Taulihawa, and the National Painting Museum in Bhaktapur
First recipient of Nepal's electronic passport
2021
Awards & honours
Madan Puraskar
Madan Puraskar
Madan Puraskar
Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu
Organizations & affiliations
- Department of Archaeology, Nepal
- Nepal Bhasa Academy
Related people
Last updated: 2026-09-06