Gopal Chandra Lahiri

Gopal Chandra Lahiri (1858-1936) was a feudal lord and pioneer of education in Northern Bengal. He was the founder of Edward College in Pabna.[1]

Early life

Gopal Chandra Lahiri

Lahiri was born in 1858 in Rokonpur, Kacharipara, Gopalpur, Pabna District, Bengal Presidency, British Raj in a Jotdaari family.[2] He studied at Rajshahi College.[2] He lived in the house of Shrijukto Guruprasad Sen, a lawyer, in Rajshahi.[2] He was the home tutor of Rajanikanta Sen, son of Shrijukto Guruprasad Sen, who went on to become a notable poet of Bengal.[2] He graduated from Rajshahi College with a bachelor's degree in 1882.[2]

Career

In March 1884, Lahiri founded the Pabna Institution, English curriculum school, in Pabna.[2] The school was financed by Bhaduri zamindar family also known as the Tahirpur Raj family.[2][3] He was the principal and headmaster of the institution.[2] He founded Pabna Institution (college) in July 1898 and affiliated with the University of Kolkata.[4] It was renamed to Pabna College in 1906 and would later be renamed to Edward College in 1911, after King Edward VII, emperor of India.[2][4] It would later be affiliated with the University of Rajshahi.[5]

Lahiri served as the principal of Edward College till 1914.[4] He was succeeded by Roy Radhika Nath Bose.[4]

Death and legacy

Lahiri died in 1936. After his death, the Pabna Institution' (school) was renamed to Gopalchandra Lahiri Institution.[2] Gopal Chandra Institution High School is one of the oldest high schools in Pabna District.[6] Edward College is the oldest college in Pabna District.[7]

References

  1. ^ Calcutta, University of (1909). The Calendar. p. 815.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Khan, Waqar A. (2023-06-12). "Lest we forget: The pioneering educationists from East Bengal". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  3. ^ "Social Identity of Zamindars of Rajshahi" (PDF). University Library, University of North Bengal. p. 253. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d Mottalib, Md Abdul (18 June 2021). "Edward College". Banglapedia. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  5. ^ Razzaque, M. A. (1986). Affiliated Colleges Under Rajshahi University. Registrar, Rajshahi University. p. 18.
  6. ^ Topu, Ahmed Humayun Kabir (24 May 2008). "Century-old Pabna GCI School". The Daily Star. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  7. ^ Topu, Ahmed Humayun Kabir (6 January 2007). "Pabna Edward College: The Oldest College of the District". The Daily Star. Retrieved 13 June 2023.