Jagadish Chandra Bose

Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose (1858–1937) was an eminent Indian physicist, biologist, botanist, and inventor, celebrated for his pioneering research in radio waves and plant physiology. Often hailed as one of the earliest experimental scientists in modern India, Bose made remarkable contributions that bridged physics and biology, demonstrating that plants possess life-like responses to external stimuli. His work laid the foundation for biophysics and wireless communication, marking him as one of the foremost figures in global scientific history.

Early Life and Education

Jagadish Chandra Bose was born on 30 November 1858 in Munsiganj (then part of Bengal Presidency, now in Bangladesh). His father, Bhagawan Chandra Bose, was a deputy magistrate and an advocate of education through one’s mother tongue. Bose’s early schooling took place in a vernacular school, where he studied alongside children of various social classes, shaping his egalitarian and inclusive worldview.
He later attended St. Xavier’s School in Kolkata, where he came under the influence of Jesuit teachers such as Father Lafont, who recognised and nurtured his scientific curiosity. Bose completed his B.A. from the University of Calcutta in 1879 and travelled to England to pursue higher studies. Initially aspiring to study medicine at the University of London, he had to abandon it due to ill health caused by chemical exposure.
He then turned to the study of Natural Sciences at Christ’s College, Cambridge, and also earned a B.Sc. from the University of London. Among his contemporaries at Cambridge were scientists such as Lord Rayleigh and Francis Darwin, whose mentorship profoundly shaped his future work in experimental physics.

Academic Career and Early Research

Upon returning to India in 1885, Bose joined Presidency College, Calcutta, as a Professor of Physics. Despite facing racial discrimination from the British administration, which offered him lower pay than his European counterparts, he continued his work with dedication and innovation. His teaching and research inspired a generation of students, including Satyendra Nath Bose, who later became a renowned physicist.
During his early years, Bose conducted experiments on the propagation of electromagnetic waves, influenced by the theoretical work of James Clerk Maxwell and experimental research by Heinrich Hertz. He was among the first to demonstrate the practical use of radio waves for wireless communication, even before Guglielmo Marconi’s successful experiments.

Pioneering Work in Wireless Communication

Between 1894 and 1895, Bose built an improved version of Hertz’s radio wave apparatus, capable of transmitting electromagnetic signals over long distances. He demonstrated his invention publicly at the Town Hall in Calcutta in 1895, using radio waves to ring a bell and ignite gunpowder remotely — an achievement that preceded Marconi’s transatlantic transmission.
Bose’s experiments led to the development of the coherer, a radio wave receiver made of metal filings that responded to electromagnetic waves. His version, made with galena (lead sulphide), became the forerunner of the semiconductor diode, a vital component in modern electronics.
Unlike many of his contemporaries, Bose refused to patent his inventions, stating that scientific knowledge should be shared freely for the advancement of humanity. Nevertheless, his pioneering work earned him global recognition, and he presented his findings at the Royal Institution in London in 1896, where they were met with acclaim.

Transition to Plant Physiology and Biophysics

In the early 1900s, Bose’s scientific curiosity shifted towards the study of plant physiology. He began investigating whether plants exhibit electrical responses similar to those observed in animal nerve tissues. Using self-designed instruments, he demonstrated that plants respond to stimuli such as light, heat, wounds, and chemical agents through electrical impulses.
His experiments suggested that plants have a form of irritability and sensitivity, similar to that of animal tissues, a revolutionary concept at the time. Bose’s cross-disciplinary approach combined physics, physiology, and biochemistry, establishing the field of biophysics.
To study plant response, he invented several precision instruments, including:

• The Crescograph – an instrument capable of measuring minute growth movements in plants, magnifying them up to 10,000 times.
• The Resonant Recorder – used to detect electrical changes in plant tissues.
• The Plant Response Recorder – capable of automatically recording the reaction of plants to external stimuli.

These instruments allowed Bose to empirically prove that plants transmit electrical signals in response to environmental changes — a discovery later validated by modern electrophysiology.

Scientific Philosophy and Approach

Bose’s philosophy of science was deeply rooted in both empiricism and spirituality. He viewed the natural world as a continuum of life, where no sharp boundary existed between living and non-living matter. His belief that matter and life share a common unity stemmed from both his scientific observations and his exposure to Indian philosophical thought, particularly Advaita Vedanta, which emphasises the interconnectedness of all existence.
His experimental method combined rigorous quantitative measurement with a profound sense of wonder. Bose often remarked that his instruments “recorded the throbs of life in the plant world,” reflecting his humanistic interpretation of scientific data.

Establishment of the Bose Institute

In 1917, Bose founded the Bose Institute (Basu Vigyan Mandir) in Calcutta, one of India’s earliest multidisciplinary research centres. The institute aimed to promote independent scientific research in both physical and biological sciences, free from colonial control.
The Bose Institute became a hub for pioneering research in plant physiology, physics, and later, biotechnology. Bose served as its first director until his death, emphasising the integration of science with social progress and education.

Recognition and Achievements

Bose’s achievements earned him international fame and numerous honours. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1920, becoming the first Indian physicist to receive this distinction. His contributions to both physics and biology were acknowledged globally, and he received honorary doctorates from several universities.
Key recognitions include:

• Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) – 1903.
• Knight Bachelor – conferred in 1917 by the British Crown for his scientific contributions.
• Election to the Royal Society, London – 1920.
• Numerous invitations to deliver lectures in Europe and the United States.

His work influenced scientists such as Patrick Geddes, Albert Einstein, and Jagadish Chandra Raychaudhuri, and continues to inspire researchers in interdisciplinary sciences.

Legacy and Influence

Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose’s contributions transcended disciplinary boundaries and geographical limitations. He is remembered as:

• A pioneer of wireless communication, whose early experiments anticipated radio technology.
• A founder of biophysics, establishing experimental evidence of plant sensitivity and electrical communication.
• An educationist and institution builder, who promoted scientific research in colonial India.
• A scientific nationalist, who believed in self-reliance and indigenous innovation.

Modern scientists continue to explore the implications of his discoveries. His work on semiconductor-like materials predated the invention of the transistor by several decades, while his studies on plant electrophysiology anticipated modern biotechnological research.

Death and Commemoration

Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose passed away on 23 November 1937 in Giridih, Bihar, leaving behind a legacy of scientific curiosity and humanistic inquiry. His contributions are commemorated through numerous institutions, awards, and monuments, including:

• The Bose Institute, Kolkata.
• J. C. Bose Fellowship, awarded to distinguished Indian scientists.
• His name engraved on the Temple of Fame at the Royal Institution, London.
• A crater on the moon named “Bose Crater” in his honour.