Satish Ranjan Das
Encyclopedia
Satish Ranjan Das was the Advocate-General of Bengal
and later the Law Member of the Executive Council of the Viceroy; he was sometime treasurer of the Boy Scouts of Bengal and the Lodge of Good Fellowship, and a prominent member of the reformist Brahmo Samaj
in Bengal. Das led a group of moderate Indian nationalists in the creation of The Doon School
.
After completing school and university education in England, S.R. Das returned to India in 1894. The idea of The Doon School originated from his participation in the"growing search for a national Indian identity."
Although he died before the school actually opened, had lobbied for it assiduously during the 1920s. Das envisaged an Indian school patterned on the British public school
, which he felt had effectively trained young men to become responsible and resourceful administrators throughout the British Empire
. But in contrast to British schools, he wanted an Indian school to be nonsectarian and responsive to Indian aspirations. He and the school's other founders saw Doon as the training ground for a new generation of India
n leaders who would take over the reins of administration and government following Independence.
By copying the model of the British public school, the founders were attempting to show that Indians could compete with the British on their own terms without relinquishing their national or cultural identity. This reflected the views of many Indian leaders and intellectuals of the time, but certainly not all. Characteristically, Nehru welcomed the creation of the school but Gandhi would have nothing to do with it.
, a renowned social reformer. He belonged to the famous Das family of Telirbagh, Bikrampur, Dhaka
, now in Bangladesh. He was cousin to Chittaranjan Das
and Sudhi Ranjan Das
(Chief Justice of India). S. R. Das's two sisters were highly distinguished women of their time. Sarala Roy
who founded the 'Gokhale Memorial School' in Calcutta and a prominent women in Bengal's social affairs. Lady Abala Bose
, wife of legendary scientist Jagadish Bose and also a prominent women of her time.
He was married to Bonalata Devi. One of his grandsons, Shomie Das
, went on to serve as Headmaster of The Doon School
.
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
and later the Law Member of the Executive Council of the Viceroy; he was sometime treasurer of the Boy Scouts of Bengal and the Lodge of Good Fellowship, and a prominent member of the reformist Brahmo Samaj
Brahmo 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...
in Bengal. Das led a group of moderate Indian nationalists in the creation of The Doon School
The Doon School
The Doon School is an independent school located in Dehradun in the state of Uttarakhand in India. Established in 1935, it was founded by Satish Ranjan Das. Its first Headmaster was Arthur E...
.
After completing school and university education in England, S.R. Das returned to India in 1894. The idea of The Doon School originated from his participation in the"growing search for a national Indian identity."
Although he died before the school actually opened, had lobbied for it assiduously during the 1920s. Das envisaged an Indian school patterned on the British public school
Public School (UK)
A public school, in common British usage, is a school that is neither administered nor financed by the state or from taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of endowments, tuition fees and charitable contributions, usually existing as a non profit-making charitable trust...
, which he felt had effectively trained young men to become responsible and resourceful administrators throughout the 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...
. But in contrast to British schools, he wanted an Indian school to be nonsectarian and responsive to Indian aspirations. He and the school's other founders saw Doon as the training ground for a new generation of 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 leaders who would take over the reins of administration and government following Independence.
By copying the model of the British public school, the founders were attempting to show that Indians could compete with the British on their own terms without relinquishing their national or cultural identity. This reflected the views of many Indian leaders and intellectuals of the time, but certainly not all. Characteristically, Nehru welcomed the creation of the school but Gandhi would have nothing to do with it.
Personal life
Satish Ranjan Das was born in 1870 to Durga Mohan DasDurga Mohan Das
Durgamohan Das was a Brahmo Samaj leader and a social reformer with notable contribution in the field of widow remarriage and women’s emancipation.- Early life :...
, a renowned social reformer. He belonged to the famous Das family of Telirbagh, Bikrampur, Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
, now in Bangladesh. He was cousin to Chittaranjan Das
Chittaranjan Das
Chittaranjan Das was an eminent Bengali lawyer and a major figure in the Indian independence movement.-Personal life:...
and Sudhi Ranjan Das
Sudhi Ranjan Das
Sudhi Ranjan Das was the Chief Justice of India from 1955 to 1955 and then again 1 December 1955 to 31 January 1959. He retired from the Supreme Court 30 September 1959.-Background and education:...
(Chief Justice of India). S. R. Das's two sisters were highly distinguished women of their time. Sarala Roy
Sarala Roy
Sarala Roy was an educationist and is remembered as founder of the Gokhale Memorial School at Kolkata , at present the capital of the east Indian state of West Bengal.-Life:...
who founded the 'Gokhale Memorial School' in Calcutta and a prominent women in Bengal's social affairs. Lady 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:...
, wife of legendary scientist Jagadish Bose and also a prominent women of her time.
He was married to Bonalata Devi. One of his grandsons, Shomie Das
Shomie Das
Shomie Ranjan Das in an Indian educationist. An Alumnus of The Doon School, he has served as the Headmaster of The Doon School, Mayo College and Lawrence School, Sanawar . He had earlier taught in Gordonstoun School in the UK.-Career:...
, went on to serve as Headmaster of The Doon School
The Doon School
The Doon School is an independent school located in Dehradun in the state of Uttarakhand in India. Established in 1935, it was founded by Satish Ranjan Das. Its first Headmaster was Arthur E...
.