Kadambini Ganguly
Encyclopedia
Kadambini Ganguly (18 july 1861 – 3 October 1923) was one of the first female graduates of the British Empire
along with Chandramukhi Basu
. She was one of the first female physicians of South Asia
to be trained in Europe
an medicine
.
reformer Braja Kishore Basu, she was born at Bhagalpur
, Bihar
in British India
. The family was from Chandsi, in Barisal
which is now in Bangladesh
. Her father was headmaster of Bhagalpur School. He and Abhay Charan Mallick started the movement for women's emancipation at Bhagalpur
, establishing the women's organisation Bhagalpur Mahila Samiti in 1863, the first in India.
Kadambini started her education at Banga Mahila Vidyalaya
and while at Bethune School (established by Bethune
) in 1878 became the first woman to pass the University of Calcutta
entrance examination. It was partly in recognition of her efforts that Bethune College
first introduced FA (First Arts), and then graduation courses in 1883. She and Chandramukhi Basu
became the first graduates from Bethune College, and in the process became the first female graduates in the country and in the entire British Empire
.
being the other, Indian women doctor qualified to practice western medicine. Abala Bose
passed entrance in 1881 but was refused admission to the medical college and went to Madras (now Chennai) to study medicine but never graduated.
Kadambini overcame some opposition from the teaching staff, and orthodox sections of society. She went to the United Kingdom
in 1892 and returned to India after qualifying as LRCP (Edinburgh
), LRCS (Glasgow
), and GFPS (Dublin). After working for a short period in Lady Dufferin Hospital, she started her own private practice
. They were actively involved in female emancipation and social movement
s to improve work conditions of female coal miners in eastern India. She was one of the six female delegates to the fifth session of the Indian National Congress
in 1889, and even organized the Women's Conference in Calcutta in 1906 in the aftermath of the partition of Bengal
. In 1908, she had also organized and presided over a Calcutta
meeting for expressing sympathy with Satyagraha
- inspired Indian laborers in Transvaal, South Africa
. She formed an association to collect money with the help of fundraisers to assist the workers. In 1914 she presided over the meeting of the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj, which was held in Calcutta to honour Mahatma Gandhi
during his Calcutta visit.
As the mother of eight children she had to devote considerable time to her household affairs. She was deft in needlework
.
The noted American historian David Kopf
has written, “Ganguli's wife, Kadambini, was appropriately enough the most accomplished and liberated Brahmo woman of her time. From all accounts, their relationship was most unusual in being founded on mutual love, sensitivity and intelligence… Mrs. Ganguli's case was hardly typical even among the more emancipated Brahmo and Christian women in contemporary Bengali society. Her ability to rise above circumstances and to realize her potential as a human being made her a prize attraction to Sadharan Brahmos dedicated ideologically to the liberation of Bengal's women.”
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
along with Chandramukhi Basu
Chandramukhi Basu
Chandramukhi Basu , who was a Bengali speaking Christian from Dehradun, which was located in the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, was one of the first two female graduates of the British Empire. Along with Kadambini Ganguly, she received her Bachelor's degree in Arts from the University of...
. She was one of the first female physicians of South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
to be trained in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
.
Early life
The daughter of BrahmoBrahmo Samaj
Brahmo Samaj is the societal component of the Brahmo religion which is mainly practiced today as the Adi Dharm after its eclipse in Bengal consequent to the exit of the Tattwabodini Sabha from its ranks in 1859. It was one of the most influential religious movements responsible for the making of...
reformer Braja Kishore Basu, she was born at Bhagalpur
Bhagalpur
Bhagdattpuram was one of the most influential towns in "Aryavarta" . It is supposed to have been concurrent to Patliputra or Patna. Bhagdattpuram finds its mention in the Vedas and Ramayana as well. It is supposed to be the kingdom of Daanvir Karna, the son of Kunti and the Sun God...
, 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....
in British India
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
. The family was from Chandsi, in Barisal
Barisal District
Barisal is a district in southern Bangladesh. It is also the headquarters of Barisal Division.-Geography and climate:Latitude: 22.75, Longitude: 90.36, Altitude: 4....
which is now in Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. Her father was headmaster of Bhagalpur School. He and Abhay Charan Mallick started the movement for women's emancipation at Bhagalpur
Bhagalpur
Bhagdattpuram was one of the most influential towns in "Aryavarta" . It is supposed to have been concurrent to Patliputra or Patna. Bhagdattpuram finds its mention in the Vedas and Ramayana as well. It is supposed to be the kingdom of Daanvir Karna, the son of Kunti and the Sun God...
, establishing the women's organisation Bhagalpur Mahila Samiti in 1863, the first in India.
Kadambini started her education at Banga Mahila Vidyalaya
Banga Mahila Vidyalaya
Banga Mahila Vidyalaya was the first women’s liberal arts college in India. Established at Kolkata on 1 June 1876, by the liberal section of the Brahmo Samaj, it was successor of Hindu Mahila Vidyalaya set up on 18 September 1873 by Annette Akroyd...
and while at Bethune School (established by Bethune
John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune
John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune , previously John Elliot Drinkwater, a barrister and law member of the Governor-General's Council, was an Anglo-Indian lawyer and a pioneer in promoting women's education in 19th-century India....
) in 1878 became the first woman to pass 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...
entrance examination. It was partly in recognition of her efforts that Bethune College
Bethune College
Bethune College is a women's college in India. It was founded as a school in 1849 by John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune and in 1879 developed as the first women's college in India. It is located at 181, Bidhan Sarani, Kolkata -700006, just opposite the current campus of Scottish Church College,...
first introduced FA (First Arts), and then graduation courses in 1883. She and Chandramukhi Basu
Chandramukhi Basu
Chandramukhi Basu , who was a Bengali speaking Christian from Dehradun, which was located in the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, was one of the first two female graduates of the British Empire. Along with Kadambini Ganguly, she received her Bachelor's degree in Arts from the University of...
became the first graduates from Bethune College, and in the process became the first female graduates in the country and in the entire British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
.
Medical education and profession
Ganguly studied medicine at the Calcutta Medical College. In 1886, she was awarded a GBMC (Graduate of Bengal Medical College) degree, which gave her the right to practice. She thus became one of the two, Anandi Gopal JoshiAnandi Gopal Joshi
Anandi Gopal Joshi A was one of the two first Indian women to obtain a medical degree through training in Western medicine...
being the other, Indian women doctor qualified to practice western medicine. Abala Bose
Abala Bose
Abala, Lady Bose was a social worker well-known for her efforts in the field of women’s education and her contribution towards the alleviation of the condition of widows.-Family:...
passed entrance in 1881 but was refused admission to the medical college and went to Madras (now Chennai) to study medicine but never graduated.
Kadambini overcame some opposition from the teaching staff, and orthodox sections of society. She went to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
in 1892 and returned to India after qualifying as LRCP (Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
), LRCS (Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
), and GFPS (Dublin). After working for a short period in Lady Dufferin Hospital, she started her own private practice
Social activities
In 1883 she married the Brahmo reformer and leader of women's emancipation Dwarkanath GangulyDwarkanath Ganguly
Dwarkanath Ganguly was a Brahmo reformer in Bengal of British India. He contributed substantially towards the enlightenment of society and the emancipation of women.-Early life:...
. They were actively involved in female emancipation and social movement
Social movement
Social movements are a type of group action. They are large informal groupings of individuals or organizations focused on specific political or social issues, in other words, on carrying out, resisting or undoing a social change....
s to improve work conditions of female coal miners in eastern India. She was one of the six female delegates to the fifth session of the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
in 1889, and even organized the Women's Conference in Calcutta in 1906 in the aftermath of the partition of Bengal
Partition of Bengal (1905)
The decision of the Partition of Bengal was announced on 19 July 1905 by the Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon. The partition took effect on 16 October 1905...
. In 1908, she had also organized and presided over a Calcutta
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...
meeting for expressing sympathy with Satyagraha
Satyagraha
Satyagraha , loosely translated as "insistence on truth satya agraha soul force" or "truth force" is a particular philosophy and practice within the broader overall category generally known as nonviolent resistance or civil resistance. The term "satyagraha" was conceived and developed by Mahatma...
- inspired Indian laborers in Transvaal, South Africa
South African Republic
The South African Republic , often informally known as the Transvaal Republic, was an independent Boer-ruled country in Southern Africa during the second half of the 19th century. Not to be confused with the present-day Republic of South Africa, it occupied the area later known as the South African...
. She formed an association to collect money with the help of fundraisers to assist the workers. In 1914 she presided over the meeting of the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj, which was held in Calcutta to honour Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
during his Calcutta visit.
As the mother of eight children she had to devote considerable time to her household affairs. She was deft in needlework
Needlework
Needlework is a broad term for the handicrafts of decorative sewing and textile arts. Anything that uses a needle for construction can be called needlework...
.
The noted American historian David Kopf
David Kopf
David Kopf is professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota. A well-known research scholar on South Asian history, he has produced several books on the region. He has won the Guggenheim Fellowship at the University. A Ph.D...
has written, “Ganguli's wife, Kadambini, was appropriately enough the most accomplished and liberated Brahmo woman of her time. From all accounts, their relationship was most unusual in being founded on mutual love, sensitivity and intelligence… Mrs. Ganguli's case was hardly typical even among the more emancipated Brahmo and Christian women in contemporary Bengali society. Her ability to rise above circumstances and to realize her potential as a human being made her a prize attraction to Sadharan Brahmos dedicated ideologically to the liberation of Bengal's women.”