Kalikrishna Mitra (1822 – 2 August 1891) was a Bengali philanthropist, educator and writer. He established the first non-government girls’ school in India.[1]
Early life
Mitra was born to Shibnarayan Mitra in Kolkata, British India. He passed from Hare School and entered into the Presidency College but due to poor economic condition he had to leave his studies and start living in his maternal house at Barasat, presently North 24 Parganas district. His elder brother was a notable doctor, Nabinkrishna Mitra.[2][1]
Contribution
Mitra involved himself with progressive education movement and several activities relating to some social reforms mainly in Bengal. In 1847 he established a private girls school in Barasat with the help of his brother Nabinkrishna and educationist Peary Charan Sarkar.[3] This was the first school for the girls of aristocratic Hindu families established by any Indian.[4] Initially it was started with only two girls. Kuntibala, daughter of Nabinkrishna is one of them. Although such activities was strongly opposed by Hindu Zaminders and the then conservative society but Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune supported Mitra's enormous effort for women education in Bengal.[5] Latter the school was renamed as Kalikrishna Girls' High School. Even Bethune got inspiration for establishment Bethune School in 1849, when he went there for inspection as President of the Council of Education.[6] Mitra organised an agricultural firm of 150 Bighas for scientific farming, plantation and research in Barasat. He brought modern equipment from England for this purpose. He also contributed to spread out for Homeopathy medication.[1][7]
Literary works
Mitra had knowledge in English literature, philosophy, yoga, history and science. He published various articles in Bengali and English magazines. Mitra wrote few books namely:[8]
- Bama Chikitsa
- Garhasthyobabostha O Shishu Chikitsa
- Pashu Chikitsa
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sansad Bangali Charitabhidhan{{#if:Vol II|, Vol II}. Sahitya Sansad(2004). ISBN 81-86806-99-7
- ↑ Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work, Chapter 15, Subal Chandra Mitra. en.wikisource.org. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- ↑ Barasat Government College. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- ↑ Madanmohan Tarkalankar and Women Education in the First Half of 19th Century Bengal, Chiranjit Roy. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
- ↑ Hindu Widow Marriage{{#if:Ishvarchandra Vidyasagar|, Ishvarchandra Vidyasagar}(22 November 2011). ISBN 9780231526609
- ↑ Bagal, Jogesh C., History of The Bethune School and College in the Bethune School and College Centenary Volume, 1849–1949.
- ↑ Nationalizing the Body: The Medical Market, Print and Daktari Medicine{{#if:Projit Bihari Mukharji|, Projit Bihari Mukharji}(2011). ISBN 9780857289353
- ↑ Garhasthya-byabastha O Shishu Chikitsa, Mitra, Kalikrishna. Retrieved 21 April 2018.