Biraja Sankar Guha
Encyclopedia
Biraja Sankar Guha (15 August 1894 – 20 October 1961) was an India
n physical anthropologist
, who classified Indian people into races around the early part of the 20th century. He was the first Director of the Anthropological Survey of India (ASI) (1945–1954).
from the Scottish Church College and earned his post-graduate degree (also in philosophy) from the University of Calcutta
. He worked as a research scholar in anthropology
in the Government of Bengal in 1917. In 1920, he received the A.M. degree in anthropology from Harvard University
, with distinction, and became the Hemenway Fellow of the University. During 1922–1924 he worked as a research scholar at the Harvard Museum of Natural History (Boston), American Museum of Natural History
(New York), and the Bureau of Ethnicity of the Smithsonian Institution
in Washington D.C.. In 1924, he was awarded a Ph.D. degree in anthropology from Harvard University
, for his thesis on "The Racial basis of the Caste System in India". In the process he became one of the earliest recipients of the doctorate in that discipline in the world and certainly, the first India
n citizen to do so.
In 1927, he joined the anthropological section of the Zoological Survey of India.
In 1934, Guha became a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland
, and member of the Permanent Council of the International Congress of Anthropology. In 1936, he founded the Indian Anthropological Institute in Calcutta (now Kolkata
). In 1938, he became the President of the Anthropology Section of the British Association for the Advancement of Science
.
In 1944, he submitted a new proposal for a separate Anthropological Survey of India. His proposal was supported by Nelson Annandale
(the first director of the newly founded Zoological Survey of India
) and Robert Beresford Seymour Sewell (1880–1964), Annandale's successor. In September 1945, zoology was moved under the Department of Agriculture, and a separate Anthropological Survey of India was set up under the Department of Education. The Survey came into being on December 1, 1945 with Guha in charge, first as "Officer on Special Duty" and later as Director (from August 1946 to 1954).
In 1955, Guha became the Director of Social Education Training Centre in Ranchi
. During 1956–1959, he served as the Director of Bihar Tribal Research Institute, Ranchi.
Guha died in a railway accident at Ghatshila
, Bihar
.
into racial groups Although the concept of race has been rejected by the evolutionary scientists, Guha's theories are of historical interest. Apart from Indian tribes, he also did some research on North American Indians
As anthropologist Kelli M. Kobor of the George Mason University
observed in The Transfer of Anthropological Power in India: The Life and Work of Biraja Sankar Guha (1894–1961):
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n physical anthropologist
Physical anthropology
Biological anthropology is that branch of anthropology that studies the physical development of the human species. It plays an important part in paleoanthropology and in forensic anthropology...
, who classified Indian people into races around the early part of the 20th century. He was the first Director of the Anthropological Survey of India (ASI) (1945–1954).
Career
B. S. Guha did his graduation in philosophyPhilosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
from the Scottish Church College and earned his post-graduate degree (also in philosophy) from the University of Calcutta
University of Calcutta
The University of Calcutta is a public university located in the city of Kolkata , India, founded on 24 January 1857...
. He worked as a research scholar in anthropology
Physical anthropology
Biological anthropology is that branch of anthropology that studies the physical development of the human species. It plays an important part in paleoanthropology and in forensic anthropology...
in the Government of Bengal in 1917. In 1920, he received the A.M. degree in anthropology from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, with distinction, and became the Hemenway Fellow of the University. During 1922–1924 he worked as a research scholar at the Harvard Museum of Natural History (Boston), American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History , located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, United States, is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world...
(New York), and the Bureau of Ethnicity of the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
in Washington D.C.. In 1924, he was awarded a Ph.D. degree in anthropology from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, for his thesis on "The Racial basis of the Caste System in India". In the process he became one of the earliest recipients of the doctorate in that discipline in the world and certainly, the first India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n citizen to do so.
In 1927, he joined the anthropological section of the Zoological Survey of India.
In 1934, Guha became a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland
Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland
The Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland is the world's longest established anthropological organization, with a global membership. Since 1843, it has been at the forefront of new developments in anthropology and new means of communicating them to a broad audience...
, and member of the Permanent Council of the International Congress of Anthropology. In 1936, he founded the Indian Anthropological Institute in Calcutta (now Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
). In 1938, he became the President of the Anthropology Section of the British Association for the Advancement of Science
British Association for the Advancement of Science
frame|right|"The BA" logoThe British Association for the Advancement of Science or the British Science Association, formerly known as the BA, is a learned society with the object of promoting science, directing general attention to scientific matters, and facilitating interaction between...
.
In 1944, he submitted a new proposal for a separate Anthropological Survey of India. His proposal was supported by Nelson Annandale
Nelson Annandale
Thomas Nelson Annandale CIE was a Scottish zoologist, entomologist and anthropologist.The eldest son of Thomas Annandale, the regius professor of clinical surgery at the University of Edinburgh, Nelson was educated at Rugby School, Balliol College, Oxford, and the University of Edinburgh.Annandale...
(the first director of the newly founded Zoological Survey of India
Zoological Survey of India
The Zoological Survey of India is a premier Indian organisation in zoological research and studies. It was established on 1 July 1916 to promote the survey, exploration and research of the fauna in the region...
) and Robert Beresford Seymour Sewell (1880–1964), Annandale's successor. In September 1945, zoology was moved under the Department of Agriculture, and a separate Anthropological Survey of India was set up under the Department of Education. The Survey came into being on December 1, 1945 with Guha in charge, first as "Officer on Special Duty" and later as Director (from August 1946 to 1954).
In 1955, Guha became the Director of Social Education Training Centre in Ranchi
Ranchi
-Climate:Ranchi has a humid subtropical climate. However, due to its position and the forests around the city, it is known for its pleasant climate. Its climate is the primary reason why Ranchi was once the summer capital of the undivided State of Bihar...
. During 1956–1959, he served as the Director of Bihar Tribal Research Institute, Ranchi.
Guha died in a railway accident at Ghatshila
Ghatshila
Ghatshila is a census town in Purbi Singhbhum district in the state of Jharkhand, India. The city is located on the bank of the Subarnarekha River, and is situated in a forested area. It contains a station on the main line of the South Eastern Railway...
, Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
.
Work
Guha is best known for his work on classification of the Indian peopleDemographics of India
The demographics of India are inclusive of the second most populous country in the world, with over 1.21 billion people , more than a sixth of the world's population. Already containing 17.5% of the world's population, India is projected to be the world's most populous country by 2025, surpassing...
into racial groups Although the concept of race has been rejected by the evolutionary scientists, Guha's theories are of historical interest. Apart from Indian tribes, he also did some research on North American Indians
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
As anthropologist Kelli M. Kobor of the George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
observed in The Transfer of Anthropological Power in India: The Life and Work of Biraja Sankar Guha (1894–1961):
Publications
- Racial elements in the population (1944), published by Oxford University PressOxford University PressOxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
(a digitised version is available from University of OklahomaUniversity of OklahomaThe University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
) - The racial affinities of the people of India in Census of India, 1931 (1935), Government of India Press, SimlaShimlaShimla , formerly known as Simla, is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of the British Raj in India. A popular tourist destination, Shimla is often referred to as the "Queen of Hills," a term coined by the British...
- A biometric study on the tribes of north-western Himalayan region (with S. K. Mazumdar)
- A report on the human relics recovered by the Naga Hills (Burma) Expedition for the abolition of human sacrifice during 1926-1927 (Anthropological bulletins, the Zoological Survey of India ; bulletin)
- Moshup legape doying agom lunen; or, the Mythological origin of the Abor dormitory system
- Studies in social tensions among the refugees from Eastern Pakistan
- An archaeological tour in Gedrosia
- The anthropological basis of P.W. Schmidt's Austrisch theory