Dr. Aghornath Chattopadhyaya (1850-1915)

First Indian D.Sc., Dr. Aghornath Chattopadhyaya was born in 1850 in a village named Brahmangaon under Louhajang Thana of Vikrampur. He was a student of Pogose School of Dhaka and Calcutta Presidency College. Later he received “Gilchrist” scholarship and made his passage to England. While in England he stood first in B.Sc. from Edinburgh University and received special award in Physics. He also registered first place in competitive exam and received “Hope” award in Chemistry. He was conferred with D.Sc. degree in 1877 and came back to India.

Returning home, upon the invitation of Nizam of Hyderabad, Aghornath Chattopaddhaya took the responsibility of spreading education among the masses of Hyderabad. Under his initiative education was sieved through the grass root level of this area. He established “Nizam College” in Hyderabad.

In leisure Aghornath Chattopaddhaya wrote poetry and was accorded with the title of a poet. He lived his last days in Calcutta. Amongst his offsprings the names that are worth noting are poet Hirendra Nath, activist Virendra nath, poet Sarojini Naidu. The Brahmangaon School is established on the property of this great family. Aghornath Chattopaddhaya died on 29th January 1915.

:: Added 28-07-2005 @ 1515 GMT