“If someone wishes to maintain good health, follow Santoshbabu,” Sir Nilratan Sarkar, the renowned physician, philanthropist and educationist of Bengal was often heard saying to common acquaintances.
We have grown up listening to stories about Babu. Even though he passed when one of us was two years and the other not born, his presence remained larger than life in the anecdotes and accounts of his achievements that were constantly shared by the family and became staples on which we were raised.
Widely and respectfully known as “Bose Saheb of Bardhaman,” Santosh Kumar Bose (1874-1964), came to be regarded as a personification of integrity, intellect, and public service, his life and work inextricably intertwined with the development of the city of Bardhaman.
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To honor his contribution and accomplishments in the field of education and to keep alive his enduring spirit, we, his great-grandchildren, have instituted an award named after him, the Santosh Kumar Bose medal, to be presented annually to the most outstanding medical student of Burdwan Medical College. By means of this award, we hope to perpetuate the values of discipline, compassion, and purpose that he stood for, values that must guide generations to serve humanity with the same uprightness that defined his life’s contributions.
To us, his great-grandchildren, he was simply Babu – the embodiment of discipline, compassion, and the true spirit of a Babu, the quintessential educated liberal Bengali. His life story is not just a man’s personal journey, but of his vision that helped build and shape the civic and educational infrastructure of Bardhaman.
As his descendants, we are not only very proud to share his story but also feel the need to do so with the wider world. May his example continue to inspire all those who walk the path of service, learning, and excellence.
Early Life and Education
Born on February 11, 1874, Santosh Kumar Bose grew up under the guidance of his father, Sashi Bhusan Bose, a renowned lawyer of Bardhaman. Determined to follow in his father’s footsteps, he completed his pleadership from the Calcutta High Court in 1900 and joined the Bardhaman Court on January 2, 1901.
With his sharp intellect and excellent command of English, Babu quickly rose up the professional ranks. His reputation as a brilliant lawyer spread beyond Bardhaman, earning him appointments at both the District Court and the High Court of Bardhaman, where he became a Government Pleader.
A Life of Public Service
Despite his success in law, Babu’s heart lay in public welfare. As the Chairman of the Burdwan Municipality (1919-1925 and 1942-1946), he was responsible for several transformative civic reforms, including building and improvement of roads, electrification, water supply, and setting up of educational institutions. His vision and leadership helped modernize Bardhaman at a time when urban development in Bengal was still in its infancy.
He was closely associated with eminent figures such as Maharaja Uday Chand Mahatab of Burdwan,2, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru,3, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy,4, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya,5 and Sir Nilratan Sarkar.6 Yet, despite these illustrious connections, Babu remained remarkably humble – his home often hosting these national stalwarts whom he counted upon as his friends, not dignitaries.
Champion of Education
Babu’s deep belief in education as the key to empowerment determined much of his legacy. Through his influence, the Maharajadhiraj Uday Chand Women’s College was established on the 28th of July 1955 after he persuaded the Maharaja to convert the inner space of the royal palace (Andarmahal) into a college for women, a pioneering move for the time.
Later, when Dr. B. C. Roy envisioned Kalyani University,7 Babu proposed the establishment of a university in Bardhaman. Dr. Roy’s response was simple: “Give me the land, and I shall make it happen.”
Babu did exactly that. He once more convinced the Maharaja to donate land and contributed his own property — the Aambagh (mango orchard), where the Commerce Department of the University of Burdwan was later founded in 1960. His commitment and foresight laid the foundation of learning for generations to come.
Discipline as a Way of Life
Sir Nilratan Sarkar’s remark about following Santoshbabu for good health was no exaggeration. Babu exemplified discipline. His life followed a precise routine and rhythm – every meal, daily walk, – even a glass of water, had its appointed time.
He was prescribed 30 ml of brandy daily on health grounds in his fifties. One day, when his grandson (our father, Birendra Kumar Bose) suggested using two tablespoons as an equivalent measure, Babu promptly summoned the household staff to demonstrate that two tablespoons did not make 30 ml. Accuracy mattered, always.
Another cherished anecdote from our father’s school days reveals Babu’s philosophy on self-reliance. On hearing that his grandson had asked a servant for water, Babu immediately informed the Muhuri (manager) to arrange for a kalsi (earthen pot) and glasses to be placed in the study room, so the boys could serve themselves and their teacher water. Years later, when his grandson began working, Babu told his butler to tie his shoelaces – a subtle reminder that privileges come with earned responsibility.
A Devoted Father and Humanist
Babu married the daughter of Raibahadur Harishchandra Mitra, and after her untimely death in 1918, he chose never to remarry which was a common practice. He raised his children with affection and unwavering devotion, offering them both the love of a father and the care of a mother.
Babu remained active till his 80s. At the request of Dr. B. C. Roy, he served on the Medical College Selection Board, traveling frequently to Kolkata to participate in meetings – a true testament to his energy and sense of duty. Until his last days, Santosh Kumar Bose continued to practice law and serve society.
A Life to Remember
More than a lawyer or reformer, Babu was a visionary who lived by timeless principles. His diaries – meticulously maintained throughout his life – are a rich source of personal history that reveal a man who believed in the progress of his city grounded in civic ethics and health, and personal humility. They are also invaluable source for writing the local history of the city he dedicated his life’s works to.
“Health is wealth,” he always said — and in the richness of his life and legacy, we see the true meaning of those words.
Bijoy Kumar Bose is a Chartered Accountant who has built a diverse and
successful career across several industries. After serving as the Chief Financial Officer
of a major multi billion-dollar group in Dubai, he now works independently, applying his
expertise to new professional opportunities. He currently resides in Dubai
Dr. Monjori Mitra is a leading pediatrician in Kolkata and the Head of Medclin
Research, a clinical research organization. She also manages the nursery school in
Bardhaman founded by her mother. A frequent speaker at national and international
conferences, Dr. Mitra divides her time between Kolkata and Mumbai.
Footnotes
- A city in the province of West Bengal, 101km northwest of Kolkata, known formerly as the capital of the large estate, the Bardhaman Raj which grew and thrived from the middle of the 17th century to the middle of the 20th century and at its height, extended over 13,000 kms. The city is now known for its University
- Maharaja Uday Chand Mahatab was the last ruler of Bardhaman Raj from 1905 to 1955 when the landholding system was abolished by the Government of India
- 1889-1964 The first Prime Minister of Independent India
- 1882-1962 A physician, he was the second Chief Minister of West Bengal belonging to the Indian National Congress
- 1861-1946 He was the President of the Indian National Congress three times. He founded the Banaras Hindu University
- 1861-1943 He was knighted by the Crown for his contribution to medical science and education
- a planned town 58 km north of Kolkata, an educational and industrial hub
Thank you for writing such a beautiful piece
Thankyou Babuli and Joy for an insight into the nature and character of Babu. His honesty , compassion, discipline , vision, uprightness , humility ,all are evident … The writing is lucid , heartfelt and so detailed with a touch of humour..! Congratulations to both of you for carrying the legacy forward with honesty and respect.., indeed a just tributes to a great man.
We learned how leading a disciplined simple life can have such huge impact
A beautifully written and deeply heartfelt piece that brings alive the legacy of Sri Santosh Kumar Bose. My warm appreciation to Bijoy and Monjori for so thoughtfully capturing the history and values of this remarkable ancestor, and to Tapti Boudi for her sensitive editing and presentation. A tribute that will be treasured by our family and beyond.
Very informative, thanks