Bhau Daji

Bhau Daji (Ramakrishna Vithal) (1822-74), Hindu physician of Bombay (now Mumbai), Sanskrit scholar and antiquary, was born in 1822 at the village of Manjare, in the native state of Sawantwan, of humble parents dealing in clay dolls.

Medical career
Dr. Bhau's career is a striking instance of great results arising from small accidents. An Englishman noticing his cleverness at chess induced his father to give the boy an English education.

Bhau came to Bombay and studied in Elphinstone Institution. About this time he gained a prize for an essay on infanticide, and was appointed a teacher in the Elphinstone Institution. He then studied at the Grant Medical College, and was one of the first batch who graduated there in 1850.

In 1851 he set up as a medical practitioner in Bombay and became very successful. He studied the Sanskrit literature of medicine, and also tested the value of drugs to which the ancient Hindus ascribed marvellous powers, among other pathological subjects of historical interest investigating that of leprosy.

Educationalist
Being an ardent promoter of education, he was appointed a member of the board of education, and was one of the original fellows of the university of Bombay. As the first native president of the students literary and scientific society, and the champion of the cause of female education, a girls' school was founded in his name, for which an endowment was provided by his friends and admirers.

Political career
In the political progress of India he took a great and active interest, and the Bombay Association and the Bombay branch of the East Indian Association owe their existence to his ability and exertions.

He was twice chosen sheriff of Bombay, in 1869 and again in 1871.

Research
Various scientific societies in England, France, Germany and America conferred on him their membership. He contributed numerous papers to the journal of the Bombay branch of the Royal Asiatic Society.

Hobbies
He amassed large collection of rare ancient Sanskrit coins. He studied Indian antiquities, deciphering inscriptions and ascertaining the dates and history of ancient Sanskrit authors.

He died in May 1874.