Sushruta Statue Unveiled at Edinburgh College

A 90-kilogram bronze statue of Maharshi Sushruta was unveiled at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Scotland, United Kingdom, on 19 June 2026. The statue was installed in the Playfair Auditorium of the college, which was established in 1505 and is among the oldest surgical institutions in the world.

Maharshi Sushruta and Ancient Surgery

Maharshi Sushruta is regarded as the “Father of Surgery” in Indian medical history. His work on surgery, including plastic surgery, is placed around 2,600 years ago in the history of ancient Indian medicine. The text associated with his surgical tradition is the Sushruta Samhita, which is a classical Sanskrit medical treatise.

Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh is a professional surgical institution in Scotland. It was founded in 1505 and functions as one of the major centres for surgical education and training in the United Kingdom. The Playfair Auditorium is one of the venues within the college premises.

Donation, Craftsmanship and Associated Initiatives

The statue was donated by the Cheruvu Family Foundation, which was established by UK-based surgeon Professor Chandra Cheruvu and his family. The bronze sculpture was crafted by an artist from Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu. Professor Chandra Cheruvu also released a book titled Maharshi Sushruta: A Compendium – Father of Surgery on the same occasion.

Important Facts for Exams

• Sushruta is associated with early surgical techniques in ancient India and is widely called the “Father of Surgery”.
• The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh was established in 1505.
• The statue unveiled in Edinburgh was made of bronze and weighed 90 kilograms.
• The Cheruvu Family Legacy Grant includes two permanent annual “Traveling Surgical Scholarships”.

Related Institutional and Personal Details

The unveiling event included Siddharth Malik, Consul General of India in Edinburgh, and Professor Clare McNaught, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Professor Marc Halpern, Founder of the California College of Ayurveda, was also present at the event.