3.

History of
Homoeopathy in India
1810 - 1835 :
This therapeutic system camne to be practised in
life time of Dr. Hahnemann, the father of Indiaduring the
Homoepathy,
German physician and Geologist came to India (1810) foT when a
geological
investigations. He remained in Bengal for ashort time and
distributed Homoepathic mnedicines to the people there.
1835-1839

During this period a Romanian man Dr. John Martin Honigberger

visited India twice, and it was during his second trip that he
was
called by the Mabharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore. The Maharaja was
seriously ill, suffering from paralysis of the vocal cords with
swelling of the feet. The local physicians were unable to cure him.
So, Dr. Honigberger, in 1839, treated the Maharaja promptly, by
dispensing "Dulcamara" in wine, in low potency. The medicine was
prepared in front of the Maharaja, as he was of a suspicious nature.
This medicine cured him. The Maharaja was also impressed when
he treated his favourate horse of his ulcer of the leg. Dr. Honigberger
became the chief physician of his court. A few years after the
Maharaja's death, there was confusion in Lahore. Dr. Honigberger
shifted to Calcutta. In Calcutta., he was known as the "Cholera
Doctor". (He was a student of Dr. Habnemann during his life-time
in Paris). This work was published in the London Press and he
Wrote many books among which were "Thirty five years in The bast,
Adventures, Discoveries, Experiments and Historical sketches of
Punjab and Kashmir". He practised in Calcutta upto 1860. Dr.
Honigberger happened to goto Vienna and caught an infection of
Cholera. He saved himself by taking Ipecac, every half an hour. This
incident greatly impressed him and he started dispensing
Homeopathic medicines both on himself and on others.

136 Homoeopathic World

1836:

InTanjoor, Dr. Samuel aretired surgical officer, dispensed

homoeopathic medicines to his civilians and army officers stationed
Madras. He started a 25 beded hospital in Tanjoor. Thejudge in
Diwanne Adalat of Calcutta, Mr. Edward D'Latour, along with his
friend Dr. Tonnere, who was a French rationalist, accepted this
systemof medicine. They treated nearly 100 cases of cholera. The
mortality rate wWas about 30%. Their work was publishedin the
"British Medical Journal" in July, 1854.
1852 :
Dr. Muller from Germany came to India and he was known for
prescribing "small pills" in the Bhawanipur area of Calcutta. His
work was published in the "Calcutta Review" in January 1852.

1862-1864:

Dr. Berigmy, a Frenchman, was popular with the "zamindars". Then

he came to Culcutta and set up his Homeopathicpractice.
1836-1867:
Dr. Mahendra Lal Sircar who stood first from Calcutta University.
learned about Homoeopathy from a layman, Rajendralal Dutta,
popularly known as Babu Rajen Dutta.He had a number of cases to
his credit. He cured Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar of asthma and also
cured gangrene of the foot of Maharani of Shorapur, and greatly
impressed Raja Sir Radhakanta Deb Bahadur of Shorapur.
Rajendralal Dutta converted many M.D. doctors to homoeopathy.
One was Dr. Mahendra Lal Sircar who was so impressed that
he
Cultivation
gave up his medical degree. He started the Institute of
of Science and was instrumental in propagating homoepathy far
and wide in India.
condemning
On 16th February 1867, Dr. Sircar wrote an article
allopathy titled "On the Supposed Uncertainity in Medical Science
He was the
and theRelationship between Diseases and Medicine".
"India Medical Review"
first man to start a journal on homoeopathy - Congress conference
and to attend the first Homoeopathic National
Hering.
under the chairmanship of Dr. C.
137
Homoeopathic World
1836:

In Tanjoor. Dr. Samuel Brookling, aretired surgical officer, dispensed

homoeopathic medicines to his civilians andl army officers stationed
Madras. He started a 25 beded hospital in Tanjoor. The judge in
Diwanne Adalat of CCalcutta, Mr. Edward D'Latour, along with his
friend Dr. Tonnere, who was a French rationalist, accepted this
system ofF medicine. They treated nearly 100 cases of cholera. The
mortality rate was about 30%. Their work was published in the
British Medical Journal" in July, 1854.
1852 :
was knoWn for
Dr. Muller from Germany came to India and he
His
prescribing "small pills" in the Bhawanipur area of Calcutta.
work was published in the "Calcutta Review" in January1852.
1862-1864:
with the "zamindars". Then
Dr. Berigny, a Frenchman, was popular practice.
he came to Culcutta and set up his Homeopathic
1836-1867:
Calcutta University,
Dr. Mahendra Lal Sircar who stood first from Rajendralal Dutta,
learned about Homoeopathy from a layman,He had a number of cases to
popularly known as Babu Rajen Dutta.
cured Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar of asthma and also
his credit. He Maharani of Shorapu, and greatly
cured gangrene of the foot of
Sir Radhakanta Deb Bahadur of Shorapur.
impressed Raja
Dutta converted many M.D. doctors to homoeopathy.
Rajendralal was so impressed that he
Mahendra Lal Sircar who
One was Dr.
degree. He started the Institute of Cultivation
gave up his medical instrumental in propagating homoepathy far
of Science and was
and wide in India. condemning
Dr. Sircar wrote an article
On 16th February
1867,
Supposed Uncertainity in Medical Science
allopathy titled "On the between Diseases and Medicine", Hewas
the
and the Relationship Review"
journal on homoeopathy - "India Medical
first man to start a first Homoeopathic National Congress conference
the
andto attend of Dr. C. Hering.
under the chairmanship 137
HomoeopathicWorld
1867:
Dr. Salzar of Vienna was very
famous. He was the
Homoeopathic education in India. He
towards practising homoeopathy twoinfluenced founder
of then many people
of
Majumdar and Dr. B. L. Bhaduri. P. were Dr. P. C.
C.
married to Dr. Bhaduri's
Roy, Dr. B. N. Banerjee daughter).
Dr. Majumdar Majumdar
along
and Dr. Younan established with Dr.
got
Homoeopathic college in India in the year 1878 under thethe first
"Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical College". The name of
college was Dr. N. M. Choudhary. He wrote the Principal of the
first book of the
Homoepathic Materia Medica in India. He also proved a number of
Indian drugs. His name was also
Later on, each of these doctors recognised in Western countries.
started their own Homoeopathic
Colleges.
Dr. S. C. Ghosh proved many drugs from
the Indian herbsand gave
them his patients in lowW potency with great results. He
to
a book named "Drugs of compiled
Hindustan".
this book, until 1970-1971, when theUnfortunately, nobody noticed
"Central Council for Research
in Indian Medicine and
Homoeopathy" (CCRIM & H) unearthed
the book and a number of drugs were proved.
Some of the drugs
proved were:
1) Curcuma Longa 6) Rauwolfia Serpentina
2) Cynodon Daclylon 7) Ficus Relgiosa
3) Holarrhina Antidysenterica 8) Nyctanthes Arbortristis
4) Atista Indica 9) Justicia Adhatoda
5) Brhami

Homoeopathy also developed in the United Provinces. Allahabad

and Banaras were the two main centres. In Banaras, Sn Loket
Moitre started a free homoeopathic dispensary, as he was intluence
by Rajendralal Dutta. Sri L. Moitre treated the civil and
judge Mr. Esquire Ironside who was so impressed that he done
a part of his savings to the hospital. Sir L. Moitre was the
administrator of the hospital which functioned for nearly fiftee
years.
 a Bengali named Babu Priyanath Bose started a
1869:
In t1869,
August
hospital with an
OPD in Allahabad. It was at this centre that
MotilalNehru took treatment during his struggle for freedom.
M.impressed was Nehru that he himself started dispensing
medicine for two hours in the morning at "Nehru
So
Anand Bhavan. He wrote a
number of books on homoeopathy
(aproximately 3,000 books). Somne of the books from his collections
are
stillavailable today.
1880:
school founded
Father Augustus Mueller, a priest and teacher of a
dispensing
by the society of Jesus in Kankanady in Manglore, started
free homoeopathic drugs.
1902:
There was an epidemicof pneumonic plague and Father Augustus
established a
Muller treated most of the people successfully. Hepresented him
plague and leprosy clinic. Seeing this, the Britishers
and hospital which
with the "Kaiser-e-Hind" award. This dispensary
nameof "St Joseph
he had started stillexists at Kanaknadi under theallopathic hospital.
to an
Leprosy Hospital". It has been converted
homoeopathic medicines are
but a part of it is still retained and of Dr. V.T. D'souza.
being dispensed under the management
Wrote a book entitled "Twelve Tissue Remedies".
F'ather A, Muller. that Father
still exists and it is said
A homoeopathic pharmacy amonglower potency drugs in India.
Muller's potencies are the best
1937 :
government had not recognised this system of nedicine
TheBritish time that M.L.A. Miyan Ghias-ud
was for the first
and in 1937.it to allow recognition
idin passed a regulation in the Bengal Assembly
homoeopathy. Thus, honoeopathy was introduced
and patronage to pre-independence years.
first time in the
in Bengal for the his opinion
M.L.A. Ghias-ud-idin was able to voice the
In April 1937, eight votes in Central
by a majority of
on homoeopathy
139
HomoeopathicWorld
 Legislature Assembly. Hesuggested that the
Council of
should be established all over the country. Though

After independence, the Government was nore

this was
by all states, only WestBengal established a council. homoeacceptopatheyd
on 17th Feburary 1948, Sir Satis Chandra SamantasymDathes:
Bengal, piloted aa moVe in the constituentSamanta, M.P
assembly to from West-a
Central Agitation Body i.e. Central Council of establiThis
sh
was passed after. a modification by Mr. Mohan Lal
It was supported by Dr. Pattabhi
Homoeopathy.
Saxena M.P(U.P).
Sitaramayya,
Some of the important items in the dratt proposal
the
President
given by the
of
India.
representative of the AIl India Institute of Homoeopathv to the
Government of India was as follows :
1) Recognition of Homoeopathy by the Government in pursuance
registration passed by Central Assembly.
2) Starting of Homoeopathic colleges and hospitals in all provinces
and setting up an all India board of control.
3) Starting aHomoeopathic Research Institute.
4) Facility for Homoeopathic training in foreign countries.
5) Facility for post-graduate training in homoeopathy as separate
from allopathy and other branches of medicine.
6) Homoeopathic drug legalaction.
7) Opening of another homoeopathic dispensary.
8) Enquiry committee to be appointed to enquire into the existing
facilities in homoeopathy.
9) Ways and means to improve the above proposals.
the recomnendation of the
The Government of India had to accept
committee but had not formed a council. Instead, an Ad-hoc
committee was appointed. (physician
Dr. Biddhan Chandra Roy, although an eminent physician
homoeopathy. He did not
to the Chief Minister) was a great critic of 1946.
allow the homoeopathy council to be established until

1944: comumittee
member requested
In 1944, the Government of India set up a five He
menbers.
with Late Dr. L. D. Dhawale being one of its HomoeopathicMorld
140
 Government torecognise
recognise and allow Homoeopathic practise and
the
teaching. He Wrote a book
book in Marathi called the
"Homoeopathic
Chikitsa".
Late Dr. L. D. Dhawale, M. D. in Pathology, was a Professor of
medicine at Grant Medical College (G.M.C). He was asked to leave
G.M.C., as he prescribed homoeopathic medicine to OPD patients.
Hethen resigned and started a twenty five beded hOspital in Sion
nown as the "Government Homoeopathic Hospital."
1946:
In 1946 the "Council of Homoeopathy" of West Bengal was
established with homoeopathy being recognised.
In Orissa, Dr. Abbhin Chandra Rao was a pioneer and he established
the homoeopathic college in Dhaneshwar.
In Hyderabad, Dr. Jaisoorya (M.D. in modern medicine), son of
Sarojini Naidu, started practising homoeopathy and established a
college, known today as "Jaisoorya Homoeopathic College and
Hospital".
degree from Chicago.
In Andhra, Dr. M. Gururaja obtained his M. D.started the "Andhra
He started practising homoeopathy and
the name
Provincial Homoeopathic College". Today, this exists in Hospital",
of "Dr. Gururaja Government Homoeopathic College and
where his son Dr. Kuttamba Rao was the principal.
Bengal, Dr. Manish B. Chandra Bhattacharya was the first
In West Pharmacopoeia in
person who wrote an unofficial homoeopathic of publication of
English and Bengali. He started the movement He also started
Homoeopathicbooks both in English and Bengali.
manufacture of homoeopathic remedies. Hence, the foundation
the
of homoeopathy was laid.
grandson of Dr. P.C. Majumdar.
Dr. J. N.Majumdar, FR.C.S., was the popularly known as "Gyan
started practising homoeopathy and waspractitioner before and after
Babu". He was a leading homoeopathic He was the principal of
partition and was renowned in Bengal. in Calcutta.
"M. Bhattacharya Homoeopathic Medical College"
teacher in Homoeopathic
Dr. B. K. Sarkar, (M. D.), was a renowned
141
Homoeopathic World
 patients
homoeopathic Homoeopathic
Philosophy".
medicinesSarkar'streasures)
His one Obstetrics, journal.Repertory.
hospital.
in Gaikwad M.D.an Rajkumnari
C. comprising Advisory
years appointed World
Homoeopathi
Hospitals committee
compiled
College.
commenteri
was J.
his Dr. several
K. this
and B. a past
Tan KentshomoeopathicThe passed He (1952). Homoeopathic
of and Baroda. by allopaths. was
committee
MedicalDey Gynaecology Dr. (the editor practioner.
Kent. small
for
His Company explaningCollege Homoeopathy" constituted Minister
P. Homoeopathy" by Dr. India worked
S. Gleanings" in a
enormous.
Dr.
Homoeopathic replaced chief practise of
appointed
this
four
a Medical of
known. was treating
with started
the "Repertorization"
Publishing leading student Minister theHealth
Committee
of and
Committee
of was on
a Medica. chairman as
was professor were "Hahnemannian "Lectures up of Government known
The
practitioners
wellon Kanjilal ore,known a Teacher
direct
"Essay
homoeopathy Midnap wasset Health (1954).
writings Materia Reference
were Hahnemannian to as
Reference committee
Calcutta well Bhattacharya
him a
D., entitled "Grand
was nominated
into Dr. on Union
Congress
The
National formed
Organon
M. Kanjilal's years. bookfrom the Midnapore,
Bengal. invited homoeopathic
potencies. as
forin
low andin HomoeopathicChair
person.
collections book Sinha of the teacher the another
at to Sarkar. known a one Homoeopathic was
renowned 40 wrote Chicago was
Philosophy
contribution
of Bose
Baroda
Naihati, Kaur.
edition lasta is 1952-1954: Committee
N. N. writings. wrote N. it excellent Mukeriee then
his J. the also G. Today,
journal K Amrit six
J. from B. from its
Dr. for He He Dr. The and
5th of Dr. At Dr. of as 142
 His one medicines
Obstetrics, Sarkar'streasures) hospital. GaikwadM.D.an
journal.
Philosophy'.in
Repertory. Rajkumari years
C. comprising appointedHomoeopat
Advisory World
commentaries Hospitals
and committee
compiled
College. J.
hiswas Dr. several
K. a this homoeopathic
The passed He 2).
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andhomoeopathic Kents Baroda. by
Homoeopathic
was
Minister
Health
MedicalDey Dr. (theeditor
Homnoeopathic practioner.Kent. small (195committee
allopaths.
for
Gynaecology
HisP. Homoeopathy" Company explaning College Homoeopathy" constituted
India worked
by
S..
enormous.
Gleanings"
chief in Dr. a
appointed
Dr.
Homoeopathic replaced practiseof
a Medical of thisfour
known. with started
the "Repertorization"
Publishing leading student the
Minister Committee
on of
Committee and
of patients was
"Hahnemannian a Medica. chairnanas
was professor were "Lectures up of Government known
The
(1954).
formed
wellon Kanjilal
Midnapore,
known direct
Teacher
practitioners
a
"Essay
homoeopathy wasset Health
Reference
were
writings to Materia comnittee
Calcutta treating Hahnemannian well as
Reference
entitled a
Bhattacharya
hin "Grand nominated
D., Dr. on was Union
into
Organon Congress
M. Kanjilal'syears.bookfrom of
the
Bengal. invitedandin homoeopathic
Homoeopathic
for potencies. known
as
journal person.
collections
Sarkar, low
in teacher another
atPhilosophy
to renowned
book Sinha
one the the
Homoeopathic
contribution
of 40 awrote BoseChicago National was
Mukeríee
was
Committee
Baroda
Midnapore,
Naihati, Kaur.
edition thea
for
last is 1952-1954
: Chair
N. N. writings. wrote N.
also it K
excellent then
his J. J. G. Today, Amritsix
fromB. from The as
its
5th of Dr. was Dr. He He Dr. At Dr.
The
of
and 142
 in
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and
expansion. Health.
was oncea enforce
passed
recognition bodies: practice
new N. Wadia Dr. practised
Health in Pune.in the
were
They
America
was 143
this was and M. Maharashtra. Bhattacharya
mnedicines
Advisor and
of meet resolution
to two of theDr. R. Chinchwad, Repertory
of states body
be it for
approved Council
to give constitutedregulation S.
education wasby but of
Honorary to and Calcutta.
aid all used Dr.
after Ayurveda,
Homoeopathic
Tafel)
firstcommittee a homoeopathy. Gilder Boennignhausen
Mumbai.
from would constitute Late in Dr.
Central Central Another
the
Government committee the looked recognised at
practitioners). located
presently
of
and
by
It with with Dr. homoeopathy footsteps
(Boericke
of was Bhagalpur,Ministers state in
tor
creatinga
post advisory given a should 1960. Act". in
Saxena constituted 1960.
each (concerned were
(concerned degree Company"
This in in "Bombay not manufacturing
were Health research passed examiners
homoeopathic the T Boger's
the thatfrom
India wasa in
Gopal Bihar.
thecolleges Minister. had and
&
B
However. resolution of honoeopathy is followed
colleges
of homoeopathy Mesers
Germany.
in were of
India pronote was Examiners the Board
Government Satara factory"Roy
president.
Krishna in committee as of
role Union Act known started
need four court World
Homoeopath
felt. his Kerala.
in
Kottagah
of licensingandParanjpe
the The of
started
Kulkarni
the
year.
thewas GovernmentHomoeopathic Maharashtra
a and
of
homoeopathy.
Athawale
of
inporters
comOr.Dr.1960.
mittee in thatcolleges thepassed colleges). The the Maharashtra.Schwabe
vear. andntinued a theregulations of 2) Board
of was this, Pulsule He
1960, was by Court was to V.
and Act Minister. Bengal.
1956:sicthis whichheaded that M.
V.V. Dr. Dr. chief
bor These The
1960:
The This who Prior and
In to 1)
 from
startedDr.
JanesKulkarni. influencad
successful the Marina on cardof of N.
He he important practisiny
was
who
spo aaguent
as time,
liver. books Journal
Journal
Dr.
K.
small
also
Mr. such
theof Aqua
edited
by
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theMedical
Coles
a was practioner.
homoeopath.
qualified Krishna disciples
Maharashtra. a was teachersof span and a "Indian
of wrote
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cancerrelevant editions Barvalia. He potency
India. and University, short
He homoeopathy. hospital.
"Ram
his
oftreatment
books good from the thetheformely
was M.B.B.S.. leading at
a 10). Homoeopathic of
homoeopathy
provedpricedas as
Mumbai In topics at
in
in Praful
published allopathic
hosnital highOhe
Company two
Mumbai of internationally.Rs. known
drugs numberage
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lowexceeding Dr. an recently. very
took
in wrote youngon He Kapadia,
Mumbai settled
homoeopathic (30)
homoeopathy.journal
is by was a from
Medicine"which
Homoeopathic homoeopathic
and from He Medica. a very
popularised not Bombay was practising
prescribe
credit booklets it edited very knowledge an
Alphabetical (not Presently, Behramthough N.
Roy Bengali,D. homoeopathy.
Dr. fame Khar as
a a died Sarabhai
Governor M. his Sankaran.
Materia at India
started is
starting
for
the
exists
by an died and of it from
first
published
manufacturing
a Phatak, to of
number Sankaran
Dr.
P. in Homoeopathy".
Boman
Currently,He Menon, small was to
Das, had name
Sankaran practise homoeopathy of now
known
Desai in
his
footsteps
Phatak's
Phatak'sPS.
and homoeopathy.
wealth Gupta Dr.
Fergusson, practice Phatak and
Pituita. a It
C. practise.
R. acquired repertory Burjor M. started
Ashram". repetition.
Dr. a Kasad. B. was
A. S. the
Wrote U. Das
late P. of head H.
Dr. to 1) 2) Dr. Dr. to Dr. Dr. lot Dr. He Dr. He 144
 established
and in
the
country institutes
establishedindependent at other diploma
degreeand Worl
Homoeop
d
Central
sl:aresearch
organisation
DuringMedicine was B.H.M.S.
the withdiploma,
Homoeopath'
research institutes.and
released.India was
inaugurated
colleges three alongcourse
D.H.M.S.,
Indian
Calcutta Homoeopathy. for
rese of Calcutta. into
regional
wasa in Government Ayurveda. for regional Homoeopathy
syllabus
new
homoeopathy divided
Singh constituted
Research at Orissa.
souvenir and
Unani. Council
of
called
Institute
three 10 uniform respectively.
holders
Karan Bhagatpur was
and in in in were
The and research
research and
'Central
a for councilresearch
Kottayam
andIndia the Research unitsof a (diploma
They
Dr. H).
Council India
Homoeopathy of formned degree)
1974, of & Kottayam,
some for for for the 200
research Council
(CCRIM
Government of course).
Delhi, Council
Council
Council of Delhi.
Ghaziabad courses
in
December Centralat
Central
Government are
headquarters recommendations,
(graded
research there
Gudivada,at the
Homoeopathy Centralold
of the the up year, Central
Central
Central linked
the Presently, of B.H.M.S.
17thCouncil clinical1972. set
the In bodies: holders
called
time, this
On i.e. In by were The The and
1) 2) 3) 146
 Daftari from Nagpur, was known to cure injuries with
Dr. K. L.
biochemic.drugs. He was instrumental in starting the Homoeopathic
Nagpur.
and Biochemic College in
1966:
Planning Commission of India gave free aid to colleges from
The availed of this facility. They were
20 colleges
1966 onwards. Soon,libraries and laboratories. One of the colleges to
given aid to start
HomoeopathicCollege.
henefit from this was the Pune
Government, under the Ministry of Health
In 1966, the Central bill for setting up aCentral Council
a joint
passed a bill, which wasMedicine and Homoeopathy. This bill was
of the Indian system of Sabha and refen:ed to the Joint Select
introduced in the Lok Bhargawa (M.P.). This committee
Committee headed by Mr. P. from Lok Sabha and
parliament, both
comprised of 36 members of proposed that homoeopathyshould bave
RajvaSabha. The chairman passed in 1969, when Ayurveda was
act was formed.
a separate bill. ThisCentral Council of Ayurveda was
recognised and the
1970-1974:
proposed a separate bill on homoeopathy.
In 1970, the
Government submitted to the parliament as
this bill was Prime Minister gave
Ittook one year before appointed. The
had been because of mid
new health ministers in 1971, but unfortunately,
consent topass this billdelayed.
term elections,it was Sabha. A Joint
introduced in the Rajya
3rd April 1972, it was chairmanship of Smnt. Purabi
On under the
Select Committee was formed. This committee
Mukhopadhayay(M.P. West Bengal)
worked for all thecolleges. gave his consent to the
bill
1973,the President passed.
On 19th December Central Council Act 1973" was
and thus the
"Homoeopathy
long back because most of the
thisbill was felt not established.
The necessity of the course was
recognised colleges but doctors could not
migrate
states had confusion as
a lot of
Therefore, there waspractise. Act achieved the following:
This Standardisation of practise.
other states to
to Standardisation of education. (2)
(1)
145
HomoeopathicWorld