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Ramkrishna Vitthal Lad (1822–1874), commonly known as Bhau Daji, was an Indian physician, Sanskrit scholar, and an antiquarian.[1][2][3] He served as the Sheriff of Bombay for two terms from 1869 to 1871. For his notable contribution in the making of modern Mumbai (then Bombay, British India), a road and a museum are named after him.

Key Information

Early life and education

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Lad was born in 1822 in a Gaud Saraswat Brahmin-Marathi family in Manjre (Mandrem), Goa, Portuguese India.[1][3][4][5] His father, Vithal Lad, was a clerk who was well-versed in Sanskrit and had even composed poetry in the language. Due to the family's meagre income, they moved to Bombay in 1832 to seek better fortunes. In his childhood, Bhau Daji helped support his family by making and selling clay dolls and statuettes.[4]

His acumen at chess was noticed by the Earl of Clare, the then Governor of Bombay, who convinced his father to give the boy an English education.[2][1][3][4] He completed his primary education at a Marathi school under Narayan Shastri Puranik and later attended a private class conducted by Govind Narayan Madgaonkar.[4]

Bhau joined the Elphinstone Institution in 1840, where he won several prizes and scholarships. In 1843, he was appointed as an assistant teacher of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy at the institution. Around this time he won a prize of Rs. 600 for writing an essay on female infanticide among the Jadejas of Kathiawar and Kutch. He was also elected President of the Native General Library.[4]

When the Grant Medical College opened in 1845, Bhau Daji was among the first batch of students. He was one of only three Hindu students in the batch, the others being Atmaram Pandurang and Anant Chandroba. During his student days, he worked as a library assistant and later as a part-time assistant professor. He successfully competed for the Farish Scholarship but generously forewent the pecuniary benefits in favour of another student.[4] He graduated in April 1851 as a Graduate of Grant Medical College (G.G.M.C.).[3][2][1][4]

Medical career

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Following his graduation, Bhau Daji was briefly appointed as a sub-assistant surgeon by the government but resigned shortly after to start an independent private practice. In 1851, he started practising medicine in Mumbai and became very successful. His brother, Narayan Daji, who graduated from Grant Medical College in 1852, also joined his practice. Together, they ran a free dispensary for the poor and provided gratuitous medical aid to students of the Elphinstone Institution.[4]

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.[2] His interest in finding a cure for leprosy was initially sparked by a suggestion from his teacher, Dr. Charles Morehead. He conducted extensive research into Indian herbal drugs and believed he had perfected a remedy. To find this cure, he studied ancient manuscripts written in Sanskrit, Arabic, and Pali and cultivated medicinal plants in his own garden.[5]

The treatment he developed, which came to be known as "Bhau Daji's Method of Treatment", relied on the use of Chaulmoogra oil (from the seeds of Hydnocarpus wightianus). The oil was administered orally with milk (sometimes tinted to mask its identity), applied into the nostrils, and used to massage the whole body, after which the patient would take a warm water bath. Although he kept the method secret to strictly verify the results scientifically before releasing them, he was allowed to conduct a trial at Sir J. J. Hospital in 1868. Notably, the treatment provided remarkable relief to a few patients, including the son of Police Superintendent Mr. C. Hallums.[5] He sent his patent medicine to a leper hospital in Ratnagiri for trials and shared photographs of patients' progress with the Duke of Argyll, the then Secretary of State for India.[4]

Daji was one of the main witnesses for the defense in the Mahraj Libel Case.[3] He along with Dhiraj Dalpatram treated the Maharaja for syphilis.[citation needed]

Educationist

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Being an ardent promoter of education, he was appointed a member of the Board of Education in Mumbai, serving from 1852 to 1856. He was also appointed Vice-President of the Grant Medical College. He was one of the original fellows of the University of Bombay and played an active part in its establishment in 1857.[4] 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. He started 'Dnyan Prasarak Sabha' at Elphinstone College. He was trustee of Elphinstone Fund.[2]

Political and social activism

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He took great and active interest in the political developments happening in India. On 26 August 1852, along with leaders like Jagannath Shankarsheth and Dadabhai Naoroji, he founded the Bombay Association. As its secretary, Dr. Bhau Daji drafted a petition to the Imperial Parliament demanding a less cumbersome and more responsible constitution for India, as well as a larger share for Indians in the administration.[4]

He faced a libel lawsuit filed by Maneckji Cursetji, who had criticised the petition. Although the verdict was technically for the defendant, the judge praised Bhau Daji's character and professional reputation.[4] In 1869, he demonstrated his support for social reform by attending the first widow remarriage ceremony to take place in Bombay.[5]

The Bombay branch of the East Indian Association also owes its existence to his ability and exertions. In honour of Dr. Bhau Daji, a road is named after him at King's Circle in Matunga, Mumbai. He was twice chosen Sheriff of Mumbai, once in 1869 and again in 1871.[2][3]

Arts and culture

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Dr. Bhau Daji was a key figure in the cultural life of Bombay. He was a close counsellor to Jagannath Shankarsheth and helped raise funds for the construction of the Victoria Gardens and the Albert Museum. A copper box buried in the foundation of the museum bears his name as a Secretary of the project.[4]

He was instrumental in the development of Indian theatre. He encouraged Vishnudas Bhave's Marathi dramatic company, often hosting actors at his home. At Shankarsheth's request, he translated the drama Raja Gopichand into Hindi, which was successfully staged in Bombay, earning him credit as one of the earliest Hindi dramatists. He also established the Elphinstone Kalidasa Society, which successfully performed an English version of Kalidasa's Shakuntala.[4]

Research and antiquities

[edit]

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.[2] He served as the Vice-President of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society from 1865 to 1873.[4]

Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai.

He amassed a large collection of rare ancient Indian coins. He studied Indian antiquities, deciphering inscriptions and ascertaining the dates and history of ancient Sanskrit authors. He was the first scholar to fix the age of the poet Kalidasa to the middle of the 6th century CE. He also successfully deciphered ancient Sanskrit numerals, a task that had baffled earlier scholars like James Prinsep. He identified the coins of Krishnaraja as belonging to the Rashtrakuta dynasty.[4]

Bhau Daji travelled extensively across India between 1864 and 1866 to collect rubbings of inscriptions. He discovered and patronised the scholar Bhagwanlal Indraji, whom he employed to travel to sites like Girnar, Ajanta, Ellora, and Jaisalmer to copy inscriptions and manuscripts.[4]

He died in May 1874.[2][3]

The Mumbai Victoria and Albert Museum was renamed after him in 1975, and stands testimony to his contribution to the field of arts and heritage.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Bhau Daji

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ramachandra Vitthal Lad (1822–1874), commonly known as Bhau Daji Lad, was an Indian physician, Sanskrit scholar, and antiquarian who pioneered the integration of Western and traditional Indian medicine while advancing historical and archaeological research in colonial Bombay. Born in Manjare, Goa, to a modest family, Lad demonstrated early intellectual prowess and pursued medical education at Grant Medical College, becoming its first Indian graduate in 1851. His medical career included innovative experiments blending Ayurvedic practices with European techniques, notably developing a secretive treatment for leprosy that involved clinical documentation and social advocacy to reduce stigma, though the formula perished with his untimely death. As an educationist, he contributed to establishing medical institutions in Mumbai and promoted scientific inquiry among Indians. In public service, he served two terms as Sheriff of Bombay from 1869 to 1871, leveraging his position for civic improvements, and engaged in antiquarian pursuits by publishing scholarly articles on ancient Indian history and artifacts for bodies like the Royal Asiatic Society. His multifaceted legacy endures through the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum, dedicated to preserving Bombay's cultural heritage.

Early Life and Background

Birth and Family

Bhau Daji Lad, born Ramkrishna Lad in 1822, hailed from a poor family in the village of Manjare, located in the native state of near . His father, Vithal Lad, a modest figure who earned the Bhau Daji, passed this to his son while retaining the family surname Lad. The family's heritage traced roots to scholarly yet economically constrained circumstances in the region, with limited records of his mother or siblings.

Initial Education and Influences

Bhau Daji Lad, born Ramakrishna Vithal Lad in 1822 in Manjre, Goa, to a poor Saraswat Brahmin family, received his primary education at a Marathi school in Bombay after his family relocated there in 1832. He studied under the teacher Narayan Shastri Puranik, whom he regarded with lifelong reverence for instilling foundational knowledge in Marathi and traditional subjects. Supplementing this, he attended a free private class conducted by Govind Narayan Madgaonkar, further developing his early scholarly aptitude. Lad's precocious talents, particularly in chess, drew the notice of John FitzGibbon, 3rd Earl of Clare and Governor of Bombay, who encouraged his father to pursue Western-style education for the boy. This patronage facilitated his entry into the Elphinstone Institution's high school section, followed by enrollment in in 1840, where he pursued higher studies in sciences and humanities. By 1843, his proficiency led to an appointment as assistant teacher of chemistry and at the same institution, marking an early blend of learning and instruction. Key influences shaped Lad's intellectual formation during this period. Traditional Indian pedagogy from Puranik emphasized linguistic and cultural roots, while Elphinstone's faculty—including educators such as Orlebar, Harkness, Bell, and Henderson—introduced him to empirical Western methods in science and . The of Clare's intervention represented a pivotal external impetus, bridging indigenous scholarship with colonial educational opportunities and fostering Lad's later integrative approach to knowledge.

Professional Career

Medical Training and Practice

Bhau Daji enrolled at Elphinstone College in Bombay in 1840, completing his preparatory studies there before serving as an assistant teacher of chemistry and natural philosophy by 1843. In 1845, he joined the newly established Grant Medical College on November 1 as one of its inaugural cohort of 12 students, receiving instruction in Western medical sciences under British faculty. He earned the diploma of Graduate of Grant Medical College (G.G.M.C.) on April 15, 1851, marking him as Bombay's first Indian medical graduate and one of the earliest products of formalized Western medical education in India. Upon graduation, Bhau Daji entered independent practice around 1852, rapidly gaining repute as a skilled physician and versed in , , and . His clinical work emphasized empirical observation and integration of Ayurvedic knowledge with European techniques, particularly in treating chronic conditions like , for which he developed a method—the "Bhau Daji" treatment—involving compounds and dietary regimens that reportedly yielded remissions in select cases. Though he documented clinical progress through photographs and case notes submitted to British medical bodies, such as the Royal College of Physicians, the formula's secrecy prevented widespread replication, and its efficacy remains unverified beyond anecdotal reports from his era.

Political and Administrative Roles

Bhau Daji Lad played a prominent role in Bombay's civic administration as the city's first Indian , serving two terms in 1869 and 1871. These appointments were regarded as recognition of his extensive , including contributions to education and social welfare initiatives. As , he advocated for political reforms, leveraging the position to influence local governance and urban development in the . Lad was actively involved in early Indian political organizations, serving as Secretary of the Bombay Association, one of the first bodies advocating for Indian representation and reforms under British rule. In this capacity, he helped draft petitions, such as the appeal for establishing a in Bombay, highlighting his efforts to bridge administrative gaps between colonial authorities and local interests. His longstanding secretarial role underscored an outstanding commitment to political engagement throughout his career in Bombay. Additionally, Lad held administrative positions on the , contributing to policy formulation for public instruction in the region. He also served as President of the Students' Literary and Scientific , fostering administrative oversight of intellectual and civic discourse among natives. These roles positioned him as a key figure in transitioning Bombay's administrative framework toward greater Indian participation during the mid-19th century.

Scholarly Contributions

Research in Medicine and Pharmacology

Bhau Daji Lad advanced medical research by integrating Western experimental methodologies with traditional Indian pharmacology, focusing on native herbs documented in Sanskrit texts such as the . In the 1860s, he systematically tested Ayurvedic remedies, including plant-derived substances, to assess their therapeutic properties through clinical observation and patient outcomes, bridging empirical validation with indigenous knowledge. Lad's most documented pharmacological work centered on treatment, where he pioneered the refined application of chaulmoogra oil extracted from the seeds of Hydnocarpus wightiana (also referenced as H. inebriens). Beginning trials before 1859 and scaling treatments at J.J. Hospital from 1868, he administered the oil both systemically—ingested mixed with —and topically via and mucosal applications, supplemented by warm baths, a strict vegetarian diet excluding pork, beef, and alcohol, and regular monitoring. He documented cases photographically and in notes, reporting marked symptom relief in patients, including the son of a police superintendent among four treated at J.J. Hospital; however, broader remained contested by contemporary Western dermatologists due to limited controlled data and his . Lad withheld the precise formulation, confiding it only to three European colleagues under of confidentiality, intending to disclose after analyzing 300–400 cases, but his death in 1874 precluded formal publication or verification. Despite the absence of peer-reviewed outputs, Lad's advocacy elevated chaulmoogra oil's profile in global management, sustaining its use as a primary intervention until the advent of dapsone in , though later analyses questioned its curative potential beyond palliation. His approach underscored pharmacology's role in colonial-era , prioritizing plant-based interventions rooted in millennia-old Indian practice while seeking scientific substantiation.

Oriental and Antiquarian Studies

Bhau Daji Lad, a proficient scholar, amassed an extensive personal collection of ancient manuscripts in , , and languages, many of which pertained to historical and literary subjects alongside medical texts. His scholarly pursuits in emphasized critical analysis of classical , including plans for producing critical editions of select ancient works to preserve and authenticate textual traditions. These efforts reflected his commitment to integrating empirical examination of primary sources with historical contextualization, often drawing from rare volumes acquired through deliberate effort and expense. In antiquarian research, Lad demonstrated expertise in and , compiling a substantial assemblage of rare ancient Indian coins that aided in dating and authenticating historical artifacts. He specialized in deciphering inscriptions from stone and copper plates, contributing to the reconstruction of dynastic chronologies, such as analyses of Kshaharata coinage and regional rulers' timelines. Collaborating with epigraphist Bhagwanlal Indraji during field expeditions across , Lad facilitated the documentation of inscriptions that illuminated aspects of ancient governance and cultural continuity. Lad's institutional engagement centered on the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, where he was elected a member in 1849, ascended to the Board in 1851, and served as Vice-President from 1865 until his death. He authored approximately twenty papers for the society's journal, addressing topics in Sanskrit literature, inscriptional palaeography, and ancient historiography, including a detailed study of the Jain text Merutunga's Prabandhachintamani presented in 1867. These publications advanced causal understandings of historical sequences by cross-referencing numismatic evidence with textual records, prioritizing verifiable data over speculative narratives.

Educational and Social Reforms

Advocacy for Education

Bhau Daji Lad actively promoted in Bombay through organizational leadership and policy involvement during the 1840s and 1850s. In 1848, he became the first Indian president of the Students' Literary and Scientific Society, an institution established to foster literary and scientific learning among native youth by operating schools and disseminating knowledge in vernacular languages. Under its auspices, the society managed seven schools, emphasizing practical accessible to local communities. Lad's commitment extended to formal governance, as he was elected to the in 1852, where he influenced curriculum development and institutional policies favoring Indian students. He advocated for expanded access to Western medical and scientific training alongside , contributing to the growth of institutions like Grant Medical College, where he had studied. A key focus of his efforts was women's education, which he championed amid prevailing social restrictions. Lad supported the establishment of girls' schools, including one later named the Dr. Bhau Daji Girls' School, to provide formal instruction to females and challenge practices like through enlightened reform. His initiatives aligned with broader calls for vernacular-medium instruction and public welfare, prioritizing empirical progress over entrenched customs.

Efforts in Social Welfare

Bhau Daji Lad established and operated a free in Nagdevi, Bombay, with his brother Narayan Daji Lad after graduating from Grant Medical College in 1851, offering gratuitous medical treatment to thousands of impoverished patients while providing additional monetary support to cover their financial needs. This initiative extended to students at Elphinstone Institution, where he delivered medical aid without charge, reflecting his commitment to alleviating poverty through direct healthcare access. Lad championed reforms by advocating and practices to mitigate urban epidemics of and plague in 19th-century Bombay, contributing to improved infrastructure. In addressing —a condition stigmatizing affected individuals—he pioneered integrative treatment using Chaulmoogra oil (Hydnocarpus inebriens) from the 1860s, treating patients at J.J. Hospital starting in 1868, including notable cases like the son of Police Superintendent C. Hallums, and supplying the oil to the leper hospital for trials; his "Bhau Daji method" gained recognition until the advent of dapsone in 1941 and advanced social acceptance for sufferers. To combat entrenched social evils, Lad secured first prize in a 1844 British Government essay competition on in regions like Kutch and , using the platform to critique and propose remedies for the practice's cultural and economic drivers. He further supported widow remarriage reforms, attending Bombay's inaugural such in 1869 during his tenure as (1869 and 1871). As a philanthropist, he donated substantially to public welfare causes and led fundraising for facilities like Victoria Gardens, embedding his contributions in foundational artifacts such as the museum's copper box.

Personal Interests

Hobbies and Leisure Pursuits

Bhau Daji demonstrated exceptional aptitude in chess from childhood, engaging in the game as a primary leisure pursuit that highlighted his intellectual prowess. By age ten, he was recognized as an avid player whose strategic skills impressed contemporaries, including British officials in Bombay. His proficiency in chess not only served recreational purposes but also facilitated key opportunities, such as sponsorship for advanced education abroad, underscoring the game's role in his personal development.

Legacy and Recognition

Honors During Lifetime

In 1844, Bhau Daji secured the first prize of 600 rupees in a competition organized by the British Government for an essay addressing female infanticide among the Jadeja Rajputs of Kutch and Kathiawar. The second-place award of 400 rupees remained unclaimed, as no other submission approached the quality of his entry. This recognition highlighted his early scholarly engagement with social issues and contributed to his appointment as a teacher at Elphinstone Institution. Bhau Daji was elected of Bombay in 1869 and reelected in 1871, marking him as the first Indian to hold the office. The role, traditionally reserved for prominent citizens, served as a public acknowledgment of his administrative capabilities, medical expertise, and civic contributions in the . During his student years, he earned multiple gold medals and scholarships at around 1840, along with distinction in the Farish Scholarship competition at Grant Medical College, though he waived its financial benefits to support a fellow student. These academic honors underscored his intellectual prowess prior to his professional advancements.

Posthumous Impact and Commemoration

Following Bhau Daji Lad's death on May 31, 1874, at the age of 52, his contributions to , studies, and public institutions continued to influence subsequent scholarship and reforms in Bombay. His research on , though incomplete at the time of his passing, highlighted early integrative approaches combining Ayurvedic and Western methods, inspiring later studies in and initiatives. Efforts to develop treatments for persisted, with contemporaries noting his near-success in formulating a cure before his sudden death from . The most prominent commemoration of Lad's legacy is the renaming of the , to the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum on November 1, 1975. This renaming honored his pivotal role as secretary of the museum's committee, where he raised funds for its new building opened in and advocated for its development as a center for , , and . As the first Indian in 1869, Lad's philanthropy and vision for cultural preservation were recognized through this dedication, transforming the institution into a enduring testament to his efforts. Additional tributes include the naming of Bhau Daji Road at King's Circle in , , acknowledging his multifaceted . The museum, under its renamed identity, has since received international acclaim, including the 2005 Award of Excellence for cultural conservation, indirectly perpetuating Lad's foundational impact on 's heritage institutions.

References

  1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11894501/
  2. https://www.cureus.com/articles/290984-dr-bhau-daji-lad-1822-1874-a-pioneer-in-integrative-medicine-and-social-reforms-for-leprosy.pdf
  3. http://indianculture.gov.in/node/2811973
  4. https://cmeindia.in/history-today-in-medicine-dr-bhau-daji-lad/
  5. https://journal.sciencemuseum.ac.uk/article/clinical-images-imperial-power-and-bhau-dajis-secret-treatment-for-leprosy-at-the-royal-college-of-physicians-museum/
  6. https://asiaticsociety.org.in/journal/images/new%2520series/vol_38_1963/ARTICLE_vol_38_1963.pdf
  7. https://ijdvl.com/a-brief-biographic-sketch-of-dr-bhau-daji-lad-1822-1874-a-forgotten-figure-of-indian-dermatology/
  8. https://asiaticsociety.org.in/journal/images/new%20series/vol_38_1963/ARTICLE_vol_38_1963.pdf
  9. https://gmcweb.tripod.com/gmc/id10.html
  10. https://www.cureus.com/articles/290984-dr-bhau-daji-lad-1822-1874-a-pioneer-in-integrative-medicine-and-social-reforms-for-leprosy
  11. https://www.bdlmuseum.org/about/museum-story.php
  12. https://memumbai.com/bhau-daji-lad/
  13. https://www.britishmuseum.org/about-us/british-museum-story/people-behind-collection/pandit-bhagvanlal-indraji
  14. https://ia601406.us.archive.org/5/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.55138/2015.55138.Journal-Of-The-Royal-Asiatic-Society-1867-68-Vol-9_text.pdf
  15. https://nopr.niscpr.res.in/bitstream/123456789/60161/1/JST%252010%25281-2%2529%2520110-120.pdf
  16. https://leprosyhistory.org/database/person9
  17. https://scroll.in/article/1073757/a-glimpse-of-indias-chess-culture-in-1850s-books-illustrations-marathi-verse-and-some-history
  18. https://www.architecturaldigest.in/story/the-time-when-mumbai-received-its-first-museum-over-160-years-ago-dr-bhau-daji-lad-museum-amin-jaffer/
  19. https://www.bdlmuseum.org/
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