Bhau Daji
Encyclopedia
Bhau Daji Laud (1822-74) was a physician of the Saraswat caste belonging to Bombay (now Mumbai
), a Sanskrit
scholar and an antiquary. He was born in 1822 in Mandrem, in the Sindhudurg
district of Maharashtra
.
convinced his father to give the boy an English education.
Bhau moved to Bombay and completed his schooling at the Elphinstone Institution. Around this time he won a prize for writing an essay on infanticide
, and was appointed a teacher in the Elphinstone Institution. He then studied medicine at the Grant Medical College. He belonged to the class of 1850, the first graduating batch of the college.
In 1851, he started practising medicine in Bombay and became very successful. He studied the Sanskrit literature of medicine. He also tested the value of drugs to which the ancient Hindus had ascribed marvellous powers, among other pathological subjects of historical interest investigating that of leprosy
.
, Mumbai
. He was twice chosen sheriff
of Bombay, once in 1869 and again in 1871.
. He studied Indian antiquities, deciphering inscriptions and ascertaining the dates and history of ancient Sanskrit authors.
The Victoria & Albert Museum
was renamed after him in 1975, and stands testimony to his contribution to the field of arts and heritage.
He died in May 1874.
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
), a Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
scholar and an antiquary. He was born in 1822 in Mandrem, in the Sindhudurg
Sindhudurg
Sindhudurg is a fortress which occupies an islet in the Arabian Sea, just off the coast of Maharashtra in western India. The fortress lies on the shore of Malvan town of Sindhudurg District in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, south of Mumbai.-History:Sindhudurg was built by the great Maratha...
district of Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
.
Medical career
Dr. Bhau's career is a striking instance of great results arising from small accidents. An Englishman, noticing his acumen at chessChess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
convinced his father to give the boy an English education.
Bhau moved to Bombay and completed his schooling at the Elphinstone Institution. Around this time he won a prize for writing an essay on infanticide
Infanticide
Infanticide or infant homicide is the killing of a human infant. Neonaticide, a killing within 24 hours of a baby's birth, is most commonly done by the mother.In many past societies, certain forms of infanticide were considered permissible...
, and was appointed a teacher in the Elphinstone Institution. He then studied medicine at the Grant Medical College. He belonged to the class of 1850, the first graduating batch of the college.
In 1851, he started practising medicine in Bombay and became very successful. He studied the Sanskrit literature of medicine. He also tested the value of drugs to which the ancient Hindus had ascribed marvellous powers, among other pathological subjects of historical interest investigating that of leprosy
Leprosy
Leprosy or Hansen's disease is a chronic disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Named after physician Gerhard Armauer Hansen, leprosy is primarily a granulomatous disease of the peripheral nerves and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract; skin lesions...
.
Educationalist
Being an ardent promoter of education, he was appointed a member of the board of education in Mumbai. He was one of the original fellows of the University of Bombay. He was the first president of native origin, of the Students' Literary and Scientific Society. He was the champion of the cause of female education. A girls' school was founded in his name, for which an endowment was provided by his friends and admirers.Political career
He took great and active interest in the political developments happening in India. The Bombay Association and the Bombay branch of the East Indian Association owe their existence to his ability and exertions. In honour of Dr. Bhau Daji, a road is named after him at King's Circle (also known as Maheshwari Udyan) in MatungaMatunga
Matunga is a district located in the central part of Mumbai. It is a railway station on the Mumbai Suburban Railway network. This station is called Matunga on the Central railway line, Matunga Road on the Western line and King's Circle, on the Harbour Line...
, Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
. He was twice chosen sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
of Bombay, once in 1869 and again in 1871.
Research
Various scientific societies in England, France, Germany and the United States conferred their membership on him. He contributed numerous papers to the journal of the Bombay branch of the Royal Asiatic Society.Hobbies
He amassed a large collection of rare ancient Indian coinsIndian coinage
Coinage of India, issued by Imperial dynasties and smaller middle kingdoms of India began during the 1st millennium BC, and consisted mainly of copper and silver coins in its initial stage. Scholars remain divided over the origins of Indian coinage...
. He studied Indian antiquities, deciphering inscriptions and ascertaining the dates and history of ancient Sanskrit authors.
The Victoria & Albert Museum
Bhau Daji Lad Museum
The Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum is the oldest museum in Mumbai. It was originally established in 1855 as a treasure house of the decorative and industrial arts.-History:...
was renamed after him in 1975, and stands testimony to his contribution to the field of arts and heritage.
He died in May 1874.