Jagadish Chandra Bose

A pioneering scientist who made groundbreaking contributions to radio technology and plant physiology, challenging colonial-era scientific norms.

Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose (1858–1937) was a Bengali polymath whose innovative work in physics, biology, and botany defied the scientific conventions of his time. Born in British India, Bose faced discrimination under colonial rule but persisted in his research, ultimately proving that plants and animals share fundamental biological responses—a revolutionary idea in the early 20th century.

Bose's experiments with radio waves predated Guglielmo Marconi's work, and his invention of the coherer (a device to detect radio waves) laid the foundation for wireless communication. Despite his achievements, he refused to patent his inventions, believing scientific knowledge should be freely accessible.

In botany, Bose used the crescograph to measure plant responses to stimuli, demonstrating that plants exhibit signs of pain and fatigue. His interdisciplinary approach bridged physics and biology, inspiring future researchers. Learn more about his legacy at the Bose Institute.