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P.C. Ray
पी.सी. रे
The father of chemistry of Bhārat — who built an industry with a science
Years
1861 – 1944
Known as
Sir Prafulla Chandra Ray — chemist and industrialist
Birthplace
Raruli-Katipara, Bengal
Field
Scientists & Thinkers
“A nation that cannot make its own chemicals will always be a servant.”
— P.C. Ray
The Story
Born in 1861, Ray studied chemistry in England, earning his doctorate at Edinburgh — and returned to Bhārat determined to build science on soil of Bhārat. As professor at Presidency College, he conducted his research in poverty and with improvised apparatus, and in 1901 he founded the Bengal Chemical and Pharmaceutical Works — the first chemical company owned by a person of Bhārat, which made medicines and chemicals that Bhārat had always imported.
His research on mercury compounds, including his discovery of mercurous nitrite, earned him international fame, and his 'History of Hindu Chemistry' revealed to the world the chemical knowledge of ancient Bhārat — from the smelting of metals to the preparation of medicines.
He was also a great teacher: from his laboratory came a school of chemists who spread of Bhārat across the country, and his students honoured him as the father of chemistry of Bhārat. He gave away his salary and savings to his students and to relief works, and he died in 1944, having lived to see his science become a nation's pride.
Core Ideas
Father of Chemistry of Bhārat
He founded the nation's chemical science.
The First Chemical of Bhārat Works
His company broke the import monopoly.
The History of Hindu Chemistry
He revealed ancient Bhārat's chemical knowledge.
The Teacher
His laboratory made a generation of chemists.
The Selfless Scientist
He gave his earnings to his students.
Why it matters today
P.C. Ray is honoured as the father of chemistry of Bhārat, and the Bengal Chemical works he founded still operates. His life is the model of the scientist as nation-builder — a man who turned a laboratory into an industry and an industry into a national pride.