Essays in History of Science Technology and Medicine : A Tribute to Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray

Contents: Introduction. I. Tribute to Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray: 1. A scientist in the world of Indology: initiation of the new chapter on pre modern history of science in India/Nupur Dasgupta. 2. Framing a history of Hindu chemistry: the influence of nineteenth century historiography of chemistry on Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray/Dhruv Raina. II. Science under the lens of history: 3. Merely solving puzzles or seeking truth? Some reflections on truth science, and related matters/Santanu Chacerverti. 4. Engaging with modern science and religious orthodoxy in contemporary Islam/S. Irfan Habib. 5. Swadeshi science and P.C. Ray’s Bengal chemical and pharmaceutical works/Amit Bhattacharyya. III. Of technology and social history: 6. Technology of print past and the nation: vernacular print and its role in shaping Assamese linguistic nation/Sudeshna Purkavastha. 7. Indigenous technique and artisanal works: blacksmiths in colonial Rarh Bengal/Achintya Kumar Dutta. 8. Technology and handicraft production: experience of the leather workers of Bengal: 1870-1947/Supti Raha. 9. Assistive technology: the stages of accessibility in persons with disabilities/Bubai Bag. IV. Medicine and society: 10. Institutional care for the sick: the concept of hospital in early India/Sukla Das. 11. A bridge for passing: journey of indigenous medicine in a world of medical pluralism in Bengal 1870s to 1930s/Nupur Dasgupta. 12. Ayurveda and the emergence of indigenous pharmaceutical industry in the twentieth century India/Sutapa Saha Mitra. 13. The Indian health scenario: a stock-taking of six decades/Siddhartha Gupta. Index.

The present volume comprising thirteen articles covers aspects the history of science technology and medicine from the ancient to the modern period. It focuses on the scope and cultural orientations in science, history of different branches of colonial India. The role of technology in cultural nationalism, the scene of plural medicine in colonial Bengal and evolution of some indigenous pharmaceutical companies have been discussed in the discourse. It includes articles on the emerging role of assistive technology for the disabled a critique of government policy on healthcare in contemporary India and the history of healthcare institutions in ancient India. It will be of interest to researchers and general readers.