Chemical Science in Colonial India : The Science in Social History

Contents: Foreword. Preface. Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction. 2. East meets west. 3. The era of field science. 4. The gestational period. 5. Indian chemistry advances further (1). 6. Indian chemistry advances further (II). 7. Science and society interactions. 8. Epilogue. Bibliography. Index. Author index. Subject index.

"The book narrates the growth of chemical science in colonial India at its socio-political and cultural backdrop. The story started when the English rulers introduced modern science in their interest along with the dissemination of English education. Initially chemistry was an applied science required for the analysis of water, rocks, coal, coins etc. The effort of English chemists, Sir P.C. Ray and his pupils in developing chemistry is well covered in this book. While the English chemists were professionally engaged in Indian Institute of Science, Forest Research Institute, Bombay Institute of Science, Indian Chemists mixed with nationalist feelings were centered in the Universities of Calcutta, Allahabad, Benaras. The imperial interest and the nationalist interest clashed at a particular stage of development. The untold story of struggle of Indian chemists to make Free Indian Chemistry from the so-called \'need-based\' Research of English chemists is fascinatingly explored by the author. The book is written aiming at neither expert chemists, nor is it a popular version of its history. This book is for those who desire to known Indian chemistry against the developmental parameters of British India." (jacket)