Homeopathy Papers

History of Homeopathy in India

Written by Ardeshir T. Jagose

Dr. Ardeshir T. Jagose presents an excellent synopsis of the History of Homeopathy in India

The history of Homoeopathy can be traced as far back as the year 1835 when a Romanian man Dr. John Martin Honigberger visited India. He was called in by the Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore who was suffering from paralysis of the vocal cords with swelling of the feet. He treated the Maharaja dispensing “Dulcamara” in wine, in low potency. 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.

Later on after the Maharaja’s death Dr. Honigberger shifted to Calcutta. In Calcutta, he was known as the “Cholera Doctor”. He wrote many books among which were “Thirty five years in The East, Adventures, Discoveries, Experiments and Historical sketches of Punjab and Kashmir”. He practised in Calcutta up to 1860. Dr. Honigberger happened to go to Vienna and caught Cholera. He saved himself by taking Ipecac, every half an hour. This incident greatly impressed him and he started dispensing Homeopathic medicines both for himself and for others.

In 1836 in Tanjoor, Dr. Samuel Brookling, a retired surgical officer, dispensed homoeopathic medicines to his civilians and army officers stationed at Madras.

In 1836-1867 Dr. Mahendra Lal Sircar, 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.

On 16th February 1867, Dr. Sircar wrote an article condemning allopathy titled “On the Supposed Uncertainity in Medical Science and the Relationship between Diseases and Medicine”. He was the first man to start a journal on homoeopathy – “India Medical Review” and to attend the first Homoeopathic National Congress conference under the chairmanship of Dr. C. Hering.

In 1867 Dr. Salzar of Vienna was the founder of Homoeopathic education in India. He influenced two persons towards homoeopathy namely Dr. P. C. Majumdar and Dr. B. L. Bhaduri. Dr. Majumdar along with Dr. Roy, Dr. B. N. Banerjee and Dr. Younan established the first Homoeopathic college in India in the year 1878 under the name of “Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical College”.

Dr. S. C. Ghosh proved many drugs from the Indian herbs and gave them to his patients in low potency with great results. He compiled a book named “Drugs of Hindustan”. Unfortunately, nobody noticed this book, until 1970-1971, when the “Central Council for Research in Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy” (CCRIM & H) unearthed the book and a number of drugs were proved.

In August 1869, a Bengali named Babu Priyanath Bose started a hospital with an OPD (Out Patient Department) in Allahabad. It was at this centre that Mr. Motilal Nehru took treatment during his struggle for freedom.

In 1880 Father Augustus Mueller, a priest and teacher of a school founded by the Society of Jesus in Kankanady in Manglore, started dispensing free homoeopathic drugs.

In 1902 there was an epidemic of pneumonic plague and Father Augustus Muller treated most of the people successfully. He established a plague and leprosy clinic. Seeing this, the British presented him with the “Kaiser-e-Hind” award. He also wrote a book entitled “Twelve Tissue Remedies”.

In 1937 the British government had not recognised this system of medicine and it was for the first time that M.L.A. Miyan Ghias-ud-idin passed a regulation in the Bengal Assembly to allow recognition and patronage to homoeopathy. Thus, homoeopathy was introduced in Bengal for the first time in the pre-independence years.

After independence, the Government was more sympathetic and on 17th Feburary 1948, Sir Satis Chandra Samanta, M.P from West-Bengal, piloted a move in the constituent assembly to establish a Central Agitation Body i.e. Central Council of Homoeopathy. This was passed after a modification by Mr. Mohan Lal Saxena M.P (U.P). It was supported by Dr. Pattabhi Sitaramayya, the President of India. Some of the important items in the draft proposal given by the representative of the All India Institute of Homoeopathy to the Government of India was of great help to put the education of homoeopathy on a firm base.

In 1944, the Government of India set up a five member committee with the Late Dr. L. D. Dhawale being one of its members. He requested the Government to recognise and allow Homoeopathic practice and teaching. He wrote a book in Marathi called the “Homoeopathic Chikitsa”. He was the spearhead in starting the “Government Homoeopathic Hospital”.

In 1946 the “Council of Homoeopathy” of West Bengal was established with homoeopathy being recognised.

Dr. B. K. Sarkar, (M. D.), was a renowned teacher in Homoeopathic Philosophy at Calcutta Homoeopathic Medical College. His contribution to homoeopathy was enormous. His commentaries on the 5th edition of The Organon were well known. Dr. S. P. Dey compiled one of his collections into “Essay on Homoeopathy”.

Dr. B. K Bose the “Grand Teacher of Homoeopathy” passed his M.D. from Chicago and was a direct student of Dr. Kent. He was an excellent teacher in Materia Medica.

In 1952-1954 the National Congress Government appointed a small committee – Homoeopathic Reference Committee constituted by Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, the Union Health Minister of India (1952). Dr. J. C. Mukerjee was nominated as chairman of this committee comprising of six homoeopathic practitioners and four allopaths.

In 1956, the need for creating a post of Honorary Advisor in the committee was felt. However, the Government approved of this post in 1960, and Dr. Krishna Gopal Saxena was the first to be appointed.

The Government of India constituted a Central Council of Health, which was a committee of Health Ministers from all states and was headed by the Union Minister. This committee used to meet once a year. It passed a resolution that each state would give recognition to Homoeopathic colleges from 1960. Another resolution passed was that the Government of India should constitute a body to enforce regulations and promote research in homoeopathy.

The Maharashtra Act was passed in 1960. It constituted two bodies :

1) Court of Examiners (concerned with education and new colleges).

2) Board of homoeopathy (concerned with the regulation of practice and licensing homoeopathic practitioners).

This Act was known as the “Bombay Act”. Dr. Gilder was the Health Minister. The court of examiners were looked after by Dr. M. N. Paranjpe and the Board of homoeopathy by Late Dr. S. R. Wadia who was the president.

Dr. M. V. Kulkarni followed in the footsteps of Dr. Bhattacharya in Bengal. He started “Roy and Company” in Mumbai. They were the chief importers of Mesers B & T (Boericke and Tafel) of America and Schwabe of Germany. Boger’s Boenninghausen Repertory was first published by Roy and Company in India. He also started manufacturing homoeopathic drugs in Maharashtra. Mr. James Fergusson, Governor of Mumbai took treatment from Dr. Kulkarni.

Dr. S. R. Phatak, an M. D. from Mumbai University, was influenced to practise homoeopathy. He wrote two books :

1) Phatak’s Alphabetical Repertory.

2) Phatak’s Materia Medica.

Dr. P. Sankaran died at a very young age from cancer of the liver. He acquired name and fame internationally. In a short span of time, he wrote a number of booklets (30) on topics relevant and important to the practice of homoeopathy. He proved the drugs Aqua Marina and Pituita.

Dr. P. Sankaran popularised low priced editions of books on homoeopathy in India (not exceeding Rs. 10). He wrote a small card repertory and started a journal known as the “Indian Journal of Homoeopathy”. Presently, it is published as the “Indian Journal of Homoeopathic Medicine”which was formely edited by Dr. K. N. Kasad. Currently, it is edited by Dr. Praful Barvalia.

Dr. Burjor Boman Behram was an M.B.B.S., who was practising homoeopathy. He died very recently.

Dr. U. M. Menon, though not a qualified homoeopath, acquired a lot of wealth of knowledge from homoeopathy. He was the spearhead for starting the Bombay Homoeopathic Medical College.

The Planning Commission of India gave free aid to colleges from 1966 onwards. Soon, 20 colleges availed of this facility. They were given aid to start libraries and laboratories. One of the colleges to benefit from this was the Pune Homoeopathic College.

In 1966, the Central Government, under the Ministry of Health passed a bill, which was a joint bill for setting up a Central Council of the Indian system of Medicine and Homoeopathy. This act was passed in 1969, when Ayurveda was recognised and the Central Council of Ayurveda was formed.

In 1970, the Government proposed a separate bill on homoeopathy. It took one year before this bill was submitted to the parliament as new health ministers had been appointed. The Prime Minister gave consent to pass this bill in 1971, but unfortunately, because of mid-term elections, it was delayed.

On 3rd April 1972, it was introduced in the Rajya Sabha. A Joint Select Committee under the chairmanship of Smt. Purabi Mukhopadhayay (M.P. West Bengal) was formed. This committee worked for all the colleges.

On 19th December 1973, the President gave his consent to the bill and thus the “Homoeopathy Central Council Act 1973” was passed. The necessity of this bill was felt long back because most of the states had recognised colleges but the course was not established. Therefore, there was a lot of confusion as doctors could not migrate to other states to practise. This Act achieved the following :

(1) Standardisation of education.

(2) Standardisation of practice.

During this time, the Government of India constituted a research organisation called the Central Council for Research in Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (CCRIM & H).

In 1972, the Central Research Institute at Calcutta was established by the Government of India and three regional research institutes were set up at Delhi, Kottayam and Orissa.

In this year, the research council was divided into three independent bodies :

1) Central Council for research in Ayurveda.

2) Central Council for research in Unani.

3) Central Council for research in Homoeopathy.

The headquarters of the ‘Central Council for Homoeopath’ was at Ghaziabad in Delhi. Presently, there are 200 units and 10 regional institutes.

The Central Council of Homoeopathy along with other recommendations, formed a uniform syllabus for diploma, degree and linked courses (diploma holders of new course and diploma holders of old course). They were called D.H.M.S., B.H.M.S. and B.H.M.S. (graded degree) respectively.

NB: For further knowledge please refer my book entitled “HOMOEOPATHIC WORLD: INCLUDES HISTORY OF MEDICINE.” ( 3rd edition). Available at : National Book Depot, Opp Wadia Children Hospital Parel, Mumbai 400 012. Ph: 24165274, 24131362, 24132411, Email: [email protected]

About the author

Ardeshir T. Jagose

Dr. Ardeshir T. Jagose M.D. (Hom), H.MD (U.K), M.D. (A.M.) has been
practicing homoeopathy for the last 36 years and is an academician, author and clinician. He is teaching Organon at D. Y. Patil Homoeopathic Medical College, Pimpri, Pune. He has presented many scientific papers at both national and international conferences. He has to his credit over 100 publications of scientific articles in eminent homoeopathic journals. Recently he published three research papers, which were published in peer reviewed journals. He is the author of the book “Homoeopathic World” which was approved by the university for both graduate and postgraduate students. His latest book is “Insight to Tubercular Miasm”. Dr. Jagose has many awards the latest one being “Star of Homoeopathy Award” at the International Homoeopathy Congress 2019 held at University of London on 28th September 2019. He is the representative of National Journal of Homoeopathy, a well-read journal in homoeopathic circles.

19 Comments

  • Some government versions:

    # 1948: Govt. of India constituted Homoeopathic Enquiry Committee (HEC)
    # 1949: Homoeopathic Enquiry Committee report presented, which recommended constitution of Central Homoeopathy Council
    # 1954: Homoeopathic Advisory Committee formed at the Centre, which advised the Govt. on all matters pertaining to Homoeopathy including education, research, regulation of practice, pharmacopeias, drug manufacture, hospitals & dispensaries, etc.
    # 1955: Special postal cancellation on 10th April, to commemorate Bicentenary celebration of birth anniversary of Dr. Hahnemann, the father of Homoeopathy
    # 1962: Nomination of Honorary Homoeopathic Advisor to Govt. of India
    # 1962: Formation of Indian Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Committee
    # 1964: Rural Homoeopathic Medical Aid Committee formed
    # 1969: Govt. of India established Central Council for Research in Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy (CCRIM&H)
    # 1973: Homoeopathic Central Council Act passed in the Parliament
    # 1974: Formation of Central Council of Homoeopathy to regulate Homoeopathic education and practice
    # 1977: Hahnemann Stamp released in India
    # 1978: CCRIM&H dissolved to form 4 independent research councils, including Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy
    # 1995: Department of Indian System of Medicine and Homoeopathy (ISM&H) formed under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India.
    # 2002: National Policy on Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy formulated
    # 2003: Department of ISM&H renamed as Department of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Yoga & Naturopathy and Homoeopathy (AYUSH)

  • Professionally myself a Lawyer but my adoration towards Homoeopathy is so extreme that I cann’t express in a short word. Since my college days I have been in touch with Homoeopathy & till today maintain it inspite of my busy hours in court & chamber. In my Library a separate almirah is there full of Homoeo Books composed by the outstanding personalities of the field. Everyday I go through minimum a page from those books and it is my duty beside reading Law Books.I take the subject as a means of service to Humanity following the education of LORD HAHNEMANN. If possible please send me E- journals on Homoeopathy. With regards…………………… a follower of Lord Hahnemann.

  • The article is most exhaustive and a vivid picture of the starting era of Indian Homoeopathy. I salute the Authors.

  • Can any one please mail me the History of Homeopathy education In Assam & Northeast India as Dr J K saikia Homeopathy College Is a regional One but lacks even basic needs..mail me at [email protected]

  • HOMOEOPATHY NEVER FAILS AS SUCH IT IS SUPERIOR TO OLD SCHOOL ‘INGORANCE OF THE HAHNEMANNIAN LEGACY HAS ALWAYS LED TO LAMATABLE ERROR’

  • It is a good article,,becos many personalities like this system and love the system,homoeopathy had a good place in well educated and enthusiastic people,because its foundation is very strong,,,in my 18 years experince as a health preserver i ca say frankly Homoeopathy is a best method treating a diseased individual with nontoxic medicine,,the toxic effects of every substances are converted in to a dynamic form for the permanant restoration of health

  • Really it is a great thing to unveil the history of great leaders of homoeopathic science and their contribution to the people of India. Homoeopathy like Ayurveda teaches the people to live nearer to the nature. All the homoeopathic medicines are proved on healthy human beings as such are safe to use, but each prescription requires history of the illness of the patient and it is the diagnosis of medicine to be prescribed. The physician has to find out the constitution and action of the remedy to prescribed. It needs a lot of patience both on the part patient and physician then only the wonders of homoeopathy will come out. I salute all the great leaders of the homoeopathy of the past and the present.

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