Hara Chandra Ghosh
Encyclopedia
Rai Bahadur Hara Chandra Ghosh (archaic Hurro Chunder Ghose) was one of the prominent leaders of the Young Bengal
group (a group of radical Bengali
free thinkers
emerging from Hindu College
, Calcutta
of British India
in the early 19th century). He was the first Bengali to be a judge of the Calcutta Small Causes Court from 1854 to 1868. H.E.A. Cotton says, “In his youth, he was a favourite pupil, as the Rev. K.M.Banerjee
had been of David Hare
and Derozio: but unlike others he maintained his Hinduism.” He earned fame as a judge and was not involved in religion and social reform.
in South 24 Parganas. In those days, it was a custom to learn Persian
, but Ghosh was not satisfied with learning Persian only. He was keen to learn English also. As a result of his own efforts, he joined the newly founded Hindu College and later became a favourite student of Derozio. He was one of the students actively involved in the Academic Association, where he used to deliver speeches.
, who wanted to appoint him on his personal staff and take Ghosh with him but the latter could not accept the offer because of opposition from his mother. However, in 1832, when the position of munsif was created for the Indians, Bentinck appointed him munsif of Bankura
. Within a few days of his arrival in Bankura
the situation started changing. The court started working from ten to five. When there was shortage of staff, Ghosh himself took down notes and wrote out judgments. His honesty and devotion enhanced the respect for the judiciary in the eyes of the public.
After successfully working in Bankura for six years, he was transferred to Hooghly
in 1838, and in 1844, he became principal sadar amin of 24 Parganas. After serving for twenty years as a member of the subordinate Civil Judiciary in Bengal
, he was gazetted as junior police magistrate of Kolkata (then known as Calcutta) in 1852, on the unanimous recommendation of the judges of the Sadar Diwani Adalat. In 1854, he was transferred to the Small Causes Court, where he remained till his death.
He was associated with John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune
in the formation of the Bethune School and was a member of the school committee. He joined the other Derozians for the construction of a memorial statue for David Hare.
and Lord Dalhousie
. He was made a Rai Bahadur (a title of honor
issued in British India
to individuals who have performed a deed of great service to the nation).
A memorial meeting was held in the Town Hall, on 4 January 1869, where Chief Justice Norman, mentioned Ghosh as ‘the very model of what a native gentleman should be.’ A marble bust of Hara Chandra Ghosh was unveiled in the main entrance to the Small Causes Court by Sir Arthur Macpherson, then a judge of Calcutta High Court
on 8 March 1876.
Young Bengal
The Young Bengal movement was a group of radical Bengali free thinkers emerging from Hindu College, Calcutta in the early 19th century. They were also known as Derozians, after their firebrand teacher at Hindu College, Henry Louis Vivian Derozio....
group (a group of radical Bengali
Bengali people
The Bengali people are an ethnic community native to the historic region of Bengal in South Asia. They speak Bengali , which is an Indo-Aryan language of the eastern Indian subcontinent, evolved from the Magadhi Prakrit and Sanskrit languages. In their native language, they are referred to as বাঙালী...
free thinkers
Freethought
Freethought is a philosophical viewpoint that holds that opinions should be formed on the basis of science, logic, and reason, and should not be influenced by authority, tradition, or other dogmas...
emerging from Hindu College
Presidency College, Kolkata
Presidency University, Kolkata, formerly Hindu College and Presidency College, is a unitary, state aided university, located in Kolkata, West Bengal. and one of the premier institutes of learning of liberal arts and sciences in India. In 2002 it was ranked number one by the weekly news magazine...
, Calcutta
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
of British India
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
in the early 19th century). He was the first Bengali to be a judge of the Calcutta Small Causes Court from 1854 to 1868. H.E.A. Cotton says, “In his youth, he was a favourite pupil, as the Rev. K.M.Banerjee
Krishna Mohan Banerjee
Krishna Mohan Banerjee was a prominent member of Henry Louis Vivian Derozio’s Young Bengal group, educationist, linguist and Christian missionary.-Early life:...
had been of David Hare
David Hare (philanthropist)
David Hare was a Scottish watchmaker and philanthropist in Bengal. He founded many important and prestigious educational institutions in Kolkata, such as the Hindu School, and Hare School and helped in founding Presidency College.-Early life:...
and Derozio: but unlike others he maintained his Hinduism.” He earned fame as a judge and was not involved in religion and social reform.
Formative years
The family of Hara Chandra Ghosh hailed from SarsunaSarsuna
Sarsuna is a neighbourhood in South West Kolkata. Part of the greater Behala region it is reachable through Chowrasta or through the narrow lanes of Barisha. It is a predominantly Bengali neighborhood, though its fast becoming a cosmopolitan place...
in South 24 Parganas. In those days, it was a custom to learn Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
, but Ghosh was not satisfied with learning Persian only. He was keen to learn English also. As a result of his own efforts, he joined the newly founded Hindu College and later became a favourite student of Derozio. He was one of the students actively involved in the Academic Association, where he used to deliver speeches.
Career
As a youngster, he attracted attention of Lord William BentinckLord William Bentinck
Lieutenant-General Lord William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck GCB, GCH, PC , known as Lord William Bentinck, was a British soldier and statesman...
, who wanted to appoint him on his personal staff and take Ghosh with him but the latter could not accept the offer because of opposition from his mother. However, in 1832, when the position of munsif was created for the Indians, Bentinck appointed him munsif of Bankura
Bankura District
Bankura district is one of the seven districts of Burdwan Division in the Indian state of West Bengal. The district has been described as the “connecting link between the plains of Bengal on the east and Chota Nagpur plateau on the west.” The areas to the east and north-east are low lying alluvial...
. Within a few days of his arrival in Bankura
Bankura
Bankura is a city and a municipality in Bankura District in the state of West Bengal, India. It is the headquarters of the Bankura District.-Etymology:...
the situation started changing. The court started working from ten to five. When there was shortage of staff, Ghosh himself took down notes and wrote out judgments. His honesty and devotion enhanced the respect for the judiciary in the eyes of the public.
After successfully working in Bankura for six years, he was transferred to Hooghly
Hooghly District
Hooghly district is one of the districts of the state of West Bengal in India. It can alternatively be spelt Hoogli or Hugli. The district is named after the Hooghly River.The headquarters of the district are at Chinsura...
in 1838, and in 1844, he became principal sadar amin of 24 Parganas. After serving for twenty years as a member of the subordinate Civil Judiciary in Bengal
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...
, he was gazetted as junior police magistrate of Kolkata (then known as Calcutta) in 1852, on the unanimous recommendation of the judges of the Sadar Diwani Adalat. In 1854, he was transferred to the Small Causes Court, where he remained till his death.
He was associated with John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune
John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune
John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune , previously John Elliot Drinkwater, a barrister and law member of the Governor-General's Council, was an Anglo-Indian lawyer and a pioneer in promoting women's education in 19th-century India....
in the formation of the Bethune School and was a member of the school committee. He joined the other Derozians for the construction of a memorial statue for David Hare.
Honours
He enjoyed the confidence of Lord William Bentinck, Lord AucklandGeorge Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland
George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland, GCB, PC was a British Whig politician and colonial administrator. He was thrice First Lord of the Admiralty and also served as Governor-General of India between 1836 and 1842....
and Lord Dalhousie
James Broun-Ramsay, 1st Marquess of Dalhousie
James Andrew Broun-Ramsay, 1st Marquess of Dalhousie KT, PC was a Scottish statesman, and a colonial administrator in British India....
. He was made a Rai Bahadur (a title of honor
Title of honor
An honorary title or title of honor is a title bestowed upon individuals or organizations as an award in recognition of their merits.Sometimes the title bears the same or nearly the same name as a title of authority, but the person bestowed does not have to carry any duties, possibly except for...
issued in British India
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
to individuals who have performed a deed of great service to the nation).
A memorial meeting was held in the Town Hall, on 4 January 1869, where Chief Justice Norman, mentioned Ghosh as ‘the very model of what a native gentleman should be.’ A marble bust of Hara Chandra Ghosh was unveiled in the main entrance to the Small Causes Court by Sir Arthur Macpherson, then a judge of Calcutta High Court
Calcutta High Court
The Calcutta High Court is the oldest High Court in India. It was established as the High Court of Judicature at Fort William on 1 July 1862 under the High Courts Act, 1861. It has jurisdiction over the state of West Bengal and the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The High Court...
on 8 March 1876.