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Gyanandra Nath Chakravarti
File:G. N. Chakravarti.jpg


Portrait of G. N. Chakravarti














Born 1861-1-1
Born Benares, North-Western Provinces, Company Raj
(now Varanasi, India)
Died Template:Death date and age
Place of death Lucknow, United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, British India
(now in Uttar Pradesh, India)




Spouse Monica Devi Chakravarti ('Yashoda Mai')
Children 4 biological, 40 adopted
Alma mater University of Calcutta
Occupation Academic Administrator


Gyanendra Nath Chakravarti (January 1, 1861 – October 7, 1936), also known as G.N. Chakravarti, was an Indian theosophist and scholar. In 1893, he lectured at the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago.[1]

Early life and education

Chakravarti received his early education at a missionary school in Banaras. He studied at the University of Calcutta and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Law and a Master's Degree in Arts.Template:Citation needed

Career

Chakravarti began his career as a lecturer in physical science at a college in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. In 1893, he was appointed as Professor of Mathematics at the University of Allahabad. During his time at university, he became friends with Motilal Nehru. Later, he served as the Chief Inspector of Schools in the United Provinces.Template:Citation needed

He was appointed the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lucknow on December 16, 1920, after previously serving as pro-vice-chancellor at Banaras Hindu University.[2][3]

Theosophical Society

Chakravarti was introduced to the Theosophical Society by his uncle and became a member of the organization.[4][5]

In 1893, the Theosophical Society sent a delegation to the World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago that included Chakravarti and Annie Besant. After traveling to England, he sailed for the U.S. in August 1893 with Besant to meet with American Theosophists to organize lectures.[6][7]

Reception

Chakravarti was awarded the title and medal of "Rai Bahadur" by the British colonial administration. The Dr. Chakravarti Gold Medal is awarded annually at the University of Lucknow for achievements in academia.[8]

Writings

The Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals lists two articles by or about Chakravarti.Template:Citation needed

  • The Influence of Theosophy on the Life and Teachings of Modern India. 1906. Adyar Pamphlet Series No. 35. Reviewed in The Theosophic Messenger 7.8 (May 1906), 124.Template:Citation needed
  • Spirituality and Psychism. 1914. Adyar Pamphlet Series, No. 48[9]

Personal life

Chakravarti was married to Monica Devi Chakravarti (1882–1944). The couple had four biological children and forty adopted children.[10] In 1928, Monika Devi sought her husband's permission to take sannyasa (renunciant vows) and continue her spiritual endeavors in the Himalayas. He granted her request and personally initiated her into a renunciant order, where she assumed the name Sri Yashoda Ma.[11]

References

  1. American Indian History or Non-Indian Perceptions of American Indian History?. American Indian Quarterly({Template:Date).
  2. How a two-room memorial school turned into a 225-acre Lucknow University. The Times of India(2019-11-11). Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  3. University of Lucknow / Former Vice Chancellors. www.lkouniv.ac.in. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  4. Mirtola: A Himalayan Ashram with Theosophical Roots, Binford, Harry. Theosophical Society in America. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  5. Sri Krishna Prem: The Forgotten Theosophist, Binford, Harry. Theosophical Society in America. Retrieved 2026-03-24.
  6. [1]
  7. Faces of Friends. The Path({Template:Date).
  8. Storyteller with 1.75 lakh Insta followers to get LU's top medal. The Times of India(2024-09-08). Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  9. Spirituality and psychism{{#if:Chakravarti|, Chakravarti}. Adyar, India : Theosophical Publishing House(1914)
  10. Initiation into yoga: an introduction to the spiritual life{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Theosophical Publishing House(1976)
  11. Initiation into yoga: an introduction to the spiritual life{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Theosophical Publishing House(1976)