When you hear the name Bidhan Chandra Roy, what comes to mind first? Do you think of the legendary doctor, often referred to as the "Dhanvantari" of modern medicine, whose medical prowess has been immortalized through numerous myths and stories? Or do you remember him as the second Chief Minister of West Bengal, the man often credited with shaping the state as we know it today? Perhaps, for some, he is also remembered as a symbol of an eternal lover who immortalized his love through the naming of the town of Kalyani in Nadia. Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy's character is a multifaceted one, filled with many myths and controversies. However, in this piece, we will first focus on Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, the physician. Why he is referred to as the architect of modern West Bengal will be explored in a subsequent article.
A Descendant of King Pratapaditya
Bidhan Chandra Roy was born on July 1, 1882, in Bankipur, Bihar. His father was Prakash Chandra Roy, and his mother was Aghorkamini Devi. Interestingly, his first name wasn't originally Bidhan Chandra. His grandmother initially named him 'Bhajan' as a term of endearment. Later, the name Bidhan Chandra was chosen by Keshab Chandra Sen of the Brahmo Samaj. Bidhan Chandra's father, Prakash Chandra, had to navigate numerous hardships from a young age but eventually secured a high-ranking position in the government. Both Prakash Chandra and Aghorkamini Devi were devout individuals who led a life of simplicity and devotion. At one point, Prakash Chandra was drawn towards Christianity, but he later joined the Brahmo Samaj. Aghorkamini Devi was also remarkable for her time; after her marriage, she pursued education and worked tirelessly for women's education and rights with her husband's encouragement. Sadly, she passed away when Bidhan Chandra was just 14, but she left an indelible mark on him, inspiring him to dedicate himself to the service of the poor and the needy.
Bidhan Chandra often said that from his parents, he learned three important things: selfless service, a sense of equality, and never accepting defeat. However, his strong character was also influenced by his ancestors, as he was a descendant of King Pratapaditya Roy—the independent-minded king of Jessore, and one of the "Baro Bhuiyans." This lineage undoubtedly shaped the resilience and determination that Bidhan Chandra would later exhibit in his life.
The Student Who Fought for Justice
Bidhan Chandra's educational journey began in Patna. After passing his entrance examination from Patna Collegiate School in 1897, he went on to complete his FA from Patna College in 1899, where he majored in Mathematics. After earning his degree in 1901, Bidhan Chandra moved to Calcutta with the determination to make something of himself. His elder brother was a barrister, and his middle brother was an engineer, so Bidhan aspired to become either a doctor or an engineer. Upon arriving in Calcutta, he applied to both Calcutta Medical College and Bengal Engineering College at Shibpur. The medical college admissions list was published first, and Bidhan Chandra began his medical studies.
Initially, he struggled to adapt to the grandeur and hustle of Calcutta. He stayed at the YMCA hostel near Presidency College. When he was in his second year, his father retired, which meant Bidhan had to support himself. To make ends meet, he worked as a male nurse in a private nursing home and as an assistant-student to a senior doctor. During this time, an incident occurred that would highlight his sense of justice.
In 1905, as Bengal was on the brink of the anti-partition movement, Bidhan Chandra was traveling by train to Burdwan with a friend when they encountered an Anglo-Indian couple who refused to allow them to board their first-class compartment. Bidhan Chandra stood his ground and engaged in a scuffle with the man, eventually securing their place in the compartment. Reflecting on the incident later, he remarked, "It felt as though we had won a battle against the British!"
Failing in Medicine for Not Lying
Bidhan Chandra Roy's journey to becoming the legendary "Dhanvantari" doctor was not without obstacles. After his father retired, he faced financial difficulties, but a bigger challenge awaited him at medical college. Bidhan's mentor was Professor Colonel Lukis, from whom he learned not only medicine but also the importance of national pride. Colonel Lukis had once told him, "If you bow your head before a European even once, they will try to make you bow even lower the next time." Bidhan Chandra understood this and lived by it, but it came at a cost.
At medical college, there was an English professor named Mr. Peek. One day, there was an accident outside the college gates involving Professor Peek's horse carriage and a tram. Bidhan Chandra witnessed the incident, but when Mr. Peek asked him to testify that the tram was at fault, Bidhan refused. He insisted that he would only tell the truth—that the horse carriage was actually at fault. Mr. Peek was angered by this, and it cost Bidhan Chandra dearly. When it came time for his oral exams, Mr. Peek failed him. On the advice of Colonel Lukis, Bidhan Chandra then took the LMS exam, passed it, and started working under Colonel Lukis as a surgeon at Calcutta Medical College, where he charged just two rupees per visit for private consultations.
The Battle Wasn't Over Yet
Even after becoming a qualified doctor, Bidhan Chandra Roy's struggles were far from over. He continued his studies while working, preparing for his MD thesis. His plan was to complete his MD in two years and then go to England for further studies. However, when he applied for unpaid leave to study in England, he was told that as an Indian, he was not entitled to it—whereas European doctors received paid leave for the same purpose. Undeterred, Bidhan Chandra appealed to the Lieutenant Governor, arguing his case, and eventually, his leave was granted.
But the challenges didn't end there. When he boarded the ship to England, he found himself assigned to a two-berth cabin shared with a European. The shipping company objected to a "native Bengali" sharing a cabin with a European, but Bidhan Chandra fought back, and the matter was resolved in his favor. On February 22, 1909, Bidhan Chandra Roy set sail for London.
In London, he enrolled at St. Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, where he had a recommendation letter from his former principal, Colonel Lukis. However, the Dean, Dr. Shore, initially refused his application, stating that Bengalis were not suited for studying there. But Bidhan Chandra was persistent. He knew that St. Bartholomew's was the best institution for pursuing both MRCP and FRCS simultaneously. His determination eventually wore down Dr. Shore, and he was admitted. Bidhan's dedication and interest in subjects like anatomy, dermatology, physiology, and orthopedics caught the attention of his professors. He mastered these subjects quickly, despite the more advanced medical practices in England compared to India at that time.
In just two years, by May 1911, Bidhan Chandra Roy had earned both his MRCP and FRCS degrees. Dr. Shore, who had initially rejected him, later said, "Dr. Roy, I initially turned you away because I believed Bengalis were not fit to study here based on my previous experiences. But today, I can say that from now on, anyone recommended by you will always be welcomed at this college." This policy remained in place for many years.
In July 1911, Bidhan Chandra Roy returned to Calcutta. He hoped to join Calcutta Medical College as a professor, but he was told that the position was reserved for Europeans only. Instead, he was offered a position as a district medical officer or a teacher at Campbell Medical School (now NRS Medical College). He finally got an opportunity to teach at Campbell a year later. Until then, the FRCS-MRCP-qualified doctor from England taught first aid and ambulance duty to the police at Calcutta Medical College.
The Dhanvantari Doctor
By this time, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy's name had already begun to spread. He was becoming known as the doctor who could perform miracles, earning the title "Dhanvantari"—the divine physician in Hindu mythology. There are many stories about his remarkable diagnostic skills and treatment methods. One such story tells of a patient suffering from unbearable ear pain. The family, from a village, tried various remedies, believing that water had entered the ear during a bath. But nothing worked, and the pain only worsened. Desperate, they brought the patient to Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy in Calcutta. Though Dr. Roy typically saw no more than 16 patients a day, the compounder persuaded him to see the suffering patient. After a brief examination, Dr. Roy gave the patient a sedative and placed a few ripe jackfruit segments near his ears. Everyone was baffled by this unusual treatment. But soon, ants began crawling out of the patient's ears, attracted by the jackfruit's aroma. Dr. Roy explained that the ants had likely entered the patient's ears during a bath in a pond. This story is just one of many that showcase his extraordinary medical acumen.
Another incident involves a government officer who came to Dr. Roy, then Chief Minister, to discuss some files. Dr. Roy suddenly looked up at the officer and shouted, "What are you doing here? Go straight to PG Hospital right now! I'll inform them." The officer, bewildered, went to the hospital, where it was discovered that he had a serious lip infection that could have been dangerous if delayed. Dr. Roy's keen observation skills saved the man's life.
A Fee of 300 Crores for Medical Consultation?
Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy once charged a patient a consultation fee of 300 crores. The patient? None other than U.S. President John F. Kennedy. During a meeting, Dr. Roy suddenly asked President Kennedy, "Do you have back pain?" Surprised, Kennedy admitted that he had been suffering from it for some time. Dr. Roy then prescribed treatment and assured him that if Kennedy didn't feel better within a year, he would return to America at his own expense to treat him. Then, with a smile, Dr. Roy asked for his fee. Kennedy, curious, asked, "How much do you want?" Dr. Roy replied, "300 crores!"—the amount of U.S. investment he had secured for Bengal.
Famous Patients of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy
Dr. Roy's patients included not just John F. Kennedy but also British Prime Minister Clement Attlee, whose knee surgery he successfully performed. Other prominent figures on his patient list included Mahatma Gandhi, Rajendra Prasad, Motilal Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Indira Gandhi. On one occasion, when Prime Minister Nehru was seriously ill and the doctors in Delhi couldn't find a solution, Indira Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri urgently called for Dr. Roy. Arrangements were made for a plane, and Dr. Roy quickly reached Delhi. Without looking at previous reports, he examined Nehru and gave him an enema. The treatment brought some relief, although it took Nehru a long time to recover fully. During this period, Dr. Roy made regular trips between Calcutta and Delhi to monitor Nehru's health.
There are countless stories like these about Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy. His long career as a physician has left a legacy of remarkable medical feats. However, this article focuses primarily on his medical career. In the next installment, we will explore why Bidhan Chandra Roy is called the architect of modern West Bengal.
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