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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 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. 1 2 3 4 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.
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