Nishikanta Chattopadhyay was a Bengali scholar and the first Bengali to earn a PhD from a European University.[1][2]
Early life edit
Chattopadhyay was born in July 1852 in Pashchimpara in Bikrampur, Dhaka, Bengal Presidency, British India. He graduated from Progress School in 1868 and then from Presidency University. In 1898, he moved to London, Great Britain. He joined Leipzig University where he history, linguistics, and philosophy. He was expelled from Leipzig University from being an atheist. He completed his PhD from the University of Zurich in Switzerland.[1] His thesis was titled The Yatras, Or The Popular Dramas of Bengal.[3]
Career edit
After completing his PhD, Chattopadhyay taught linguistics at Saint Petersburg State University for two years. He taught in different universities after returning to India. He created the Dhaka-based Balya Bibaha Nibarani Sabha' ( translation: Association for the Prevention of Child Marriage). He wrote in the Abala Bandhab against child marriages and for women's rights. He wrote a number of books in English and German.[1][4]
Bibliography edit
- Popular Dramas of Bengal (1882)[5]
- Some Reminiscences of Old England (1902)
- The Study of History (1902)
- Lecture in Zoroastrianism (1894)
- Reminisces of Justice Ranade (1901)
Death edit
He died on 25 February 1910.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c d Sarker, Sushanta. "Chattopadhyay, Nishikanta". en.banglapedia.org. Banglapedia. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ^ Banerji, Debashish (2014). Rabindranath Tagore in the 21st Century: Theoretical Renewals. Springer. p. 17. ISBN 978-81-322-2038-1. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- ^ Sarakāra, Suśānta; Āhsāna, Nājamula (1994). Origin and Development of Jatra. Lokenatya o Sangskritik Unnayan Kendro. p. 33.
- ^ Quanungo, Narendranath (2001). The Renascent Bengal at the Crossroads: Some Essays in Interpretation. C.M. Bajaj. p. 10.
- ^ Seagull Theatre Quarterly. Seagull Foundation for the Arts. 2001. p. 27.