Interesting Incidents in the life of Great Men of India - 19: Jagadish Chandra Bose
As part of Indian culture, which emphasizes the belief that all living beings on Earth are part of one family (“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”), a visionary scientist from rural Bengal demonstrated through groundbreaking experiments that plants, like humans and animals, possess responses akin to feelings and thoughts. This pioneering scientist, Jagadish Chandra Bose, presented his findings to esteemed scientific forums worldwide, earning widespread recognition.
Born on November 30, 1858, in Bengal, Bose made remarkable contributions to physics, biology, botany, biophysics, and geology. He was also a prominent writer of science fiction during British India and is celebrated as the father of scientific literature in Bengal. Bose invented the Crescograph, a device to measure plant responses, and an early device capable of detecting radio waves. For his pioneering work in wireless communication, he is regarded as the father of radio science. His legacy is commemorated with a lunar crater named in his honor.
?1.Early Life and Education
Jagadish Chandra Bose, born on November 30, 1858, in Bengal (now Bangladesh), is celebrated as a multifaceted scientist and a pioneer in several fields, including physics, biology, botany, biophysics, and geology. He is also recognized as one of the fathers of science fiction in British India and a key figure in developing scientific literature in Bengal. Raised in a rural Bengali environment, Bose’s upbringing instilled a deep appreciation for nature and the interconnectedness of all living beings, resonating with the Indian philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world as one family).
Although from a well-off family, Bose’s father sent him to a local Bengali school to ensure he learned his mother tongue and local traditions before English. This decision profoundly shaped his perspective and ignited his interest in studying living organisms. After completing his schooling, Bose pursued higher studies in natural science at Cambridge College and later conducted research at Cambridge under Nobel laureate Lord Rayleigh. Health issues prevented him from pursuing a medical degree at the University of London. Returning to India, he joined Presidency College, Calcutta, as a professor of physics.
2.Struggles with Discrimination
Bose faced significant discrimination as an Indian working under British rule. Despite being a professor, he was paid less than his British counterparts. Protesting this injustice, he worked without salary for two years, eventually forcing the authorities to acknowledge his value and provide him equal pay with retroactive effect. Despite limited resources for research at his institution, Bose conducted groundbreaking experiments from a small, improvised laboratory in his home.
3.Scientific Achievements
Crescograph and Plant Responses
Bose’s invention of the Crescograph, a device to measure plant responses to external stimuli, revolutionized our understanding of plant life. He demonstrated that plants respond to stimuli such as pricking, temperature changes, and light, akin to the nervous responses of animals. His experiments revealed that plants exhibit a form of "emotions" and reactions, earning him the first U.S. patent granted to an Indian for his invention. His work culminated in the publication of two seminal books: Response in the Living and Non-Living (1902) and The Nervous Mechanism of Plants (1926).
Radio Science
Bose also made significant contributions to radio science. Years before Guglielmo Marconi, Bose demonstrated the use of radio waves for wireless communication and invented devices for their detection. However, he refrained from commercializing his innovations, choosing instead to share his findings for the greater good of society. In 1997, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) honored him as the "Father of Radio Science."
4.Recognition and Legacy
Bose’s work on plant responses gained widespread acclaim, drawing international scientists, including members of the Royal Society of Britain, to witness his experiments. Among his admirers was playwright George Bernard Shaw, who marveled at Bose’s demonstration of plants reacting to external stimuli.
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In 1920, Bose was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, one of the highest honors in science. Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel laureate poet, hailed Bose as a symbol of Indian pride and nationalism. Tagore’s poem Kalpana celebrated Bose’s achievements in bridging Western scientific advancements with India’s rich cultural heritage. Bose founded the Bose Research Institute in Calcutta in 1937, with Tagore’s support, shortly before his death on November 23, 1937.
5.Honouring His Contributions
A crater on the moon has been named in his honour—the J.C. Bose Crater, located near the Bhabha and Adler craters. This tribute acknowledges his contributions to wireless technology, which later facilitated satellite communication.
6.Conclusion
Jagadish Chandra Bose’s relentless pursuit of knowledge, despite obstacles, left an indelible mark on science. His work bridged disciplines, challenging the boundaries of human understanding. A true visionary, he dedicated his life to the betterment of society, ensuring his discoveries would benefit all humanity.
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