Prafulla Chandra Ray

The father of Indian chemistry who pioneered modern scientific education in colonial India and founded India's first chemical manufacturing company.

Dr. Prafulla Chandra Ray (1864–1944) revolutionized science education in India by establishing the Rajbrata Chemical Laboratory in 1896, later evolving into Jadavpur University. He synthesized picric acid through his Bengal Chemical Works (1901), making India self-sufficient in pharmaceuticals during colonial times. His research on organic compounds like picric acid and the alkaloid calabar bean earned international acclaim.

Ray's 1902 textbook 'A History of Hindu Chemistry' redefined India's scientific heritage, arguing for indigenous contributions to chemistry. He also founded the Indian Chemical Society and the Indian Journal of Chemistry. His laboratories employed over 300 workers at peak, producing 400+ medicinal products. Modern facilities like the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology continue his legacy. His memoirs are preserved in Project Gutenberg.