Peary Charan Sarkar
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| Peary Charan Sarkar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 January 1823 Kolkata |
| Died | 30 September 1875 Kolkata |
| Occupation | Educationist |
Peary Charan Sarkar (1823-1875) was a pioneer in women's education in Bengal and was called 'Arnold of the East'[1]
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Son of Bhairab Chandra Sarkar, he was born in the Chorbagan neighbourhood of north Kolkata. The family hailed from Taragram in Hooghly district. He was educated at David Hare’s Pataldanga School, and Hindu College.[1]
[edit] Achievements
Starting his career as a teacher of Hooghly School, he earned fame as Headmaster of Barasat School (later named Barasat Peary Charan Sarkar Government High School), which he served from 1846 to 1854. With the support of Nabinkrishna and Kalikrishna Mitra, he established at Barasat in 1847, the first non-government girls’ school, run by Indians,[1] (later the school was named Kalikrishna Girls' High School). Most possibly, Bethune took a cue for setting up his school in Kolkata, from this school, when he went there for inspection as President of the Council of Education. [2] He also established a technical and an agricultural school.[1]
Thereafter, he worked for eight years as headmaster of Kolutola Branch School and was responsible for the change of its name to Hare School. In 1863, he joined Presidency College and served it till his death. [1]
He played a significant role in the Bengal Renaissance. Apart from his role in initiating women's education and impressing upon people to send their daughters to school when Bethune school was opened, he played a pioneering role in the teaching of agriculture in a scientific manner. He set up a vocational training centre for the children of women workers and was instrumental in opening many new schools. [1] He was one of the patrons of Hindu Mela.[3]
He took charge of editing the government newspaper Education Gazatte in 1866, but resigned from that position when he was not allowed to publish certain news. He took a leading part to promote prohibition and was one of the founders of Eden Hindu Hostel.[1]
He published two newspapers named Well Wisher and Hitasadhak.[1]
[edit] Works
He is famous as the author of two books for teaching children English – First Book of Readings and Second Book of Readings.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Sengupta, Subodh Chandra and Bose, Anjali (editors), (1976/1998), Sansad Bangali Charitabhidhan (Biographical dictionary) in Bengali, pp 291-292, ISBN 81-85626-65-0
- ^ Bagal, Jogesh C., History of The Bethune School and College in the Bethune School and College Centenary Volume, 1849-1949.
- ^ Sastri, Sivanath, Ramtanu Lahiri O Tatkalin Banga Samaj, page 151.
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Peary Charan Sarkar |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Arnold of the East |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Educationist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 23 January 1823 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Chorbagan, Kolkata |
| DATE OF DEATH | 30 September 1875 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Kolkata |
