RAM CHANDRA, PROFESSOR

RAM CHANDRA, PROFESSOR, born into a Kayastha family in 1821 at Panipat. Professor Ram Chandra became a distinguished teacher of mathematics. He joined the English school at Delhi in 1833 and earned a merit scholarship. At the age of 11, he was lured into marrying a girl who was completely dumb and deaf. Himself in frail health, he took out retirement from the English school which he had joined as a teacher. On 11 March 1852, he took baptism and converted a Christian. In 1866 he was appointed tutor to the Sikh Maharaja Rajinder Singh of the princely state of Patiala.

During his tenure, plans for, the setting up of Mohindra College for the teaching of European science were formulated and the college, then affiliated to Calcutta University, was started. Ram Chandra returned to Calcutta to resume publication of his scientific works, but was recalled to Patiala during the time of Maharaja Rajinder Singh. His contribution towards Urdu journalism and promotion of English education was acknowledged by the state with a grant of khilI`at and jagir. Ram Chandra died in Delhi on 11 August 1880 following an attack of paralysis. H.S.V.