Akshay Kumar Datta

Akshay Kumar Datta Biography

Akshay Kumar Datta was one of the initiators of the Bengal Renaissance in the late half of 19^th century. He was born in Chupi in Bardhaman on 15 July 1820 as son of Pitamber Dutta. His magnum opus - Bharatbarshiya Upasak Sampraday in two volumes (1883) is the best evidence of his profound philosophical, linguistic and scientific learning and depth. He was the first Bengali writer to propagate modern scientific outlook by writing books on Physics and Geography in Bengali. He was one among the first few men in modern India who had presented an empiricist critique of the ancient Indian philosophies.

He gave up his studies following his father’s death and sought a job to earn a living. He was studying in the Oriental Seminary under Hardman Jeffroy and gave up studies soon after his studies there. Yet his quest for knowledge prompted him to master Calculus and Geometry reading books from Sovabazar Rajbari library. He learnt Hindu scripts, Sanskrit and Persian at school and later became proficient in French, German and various Indian languages. He composed the poetry-book Anangamohan at the age of 14. He learnt a little bit of zoology, zoology and chemistry from Medical College then.

In 1839, he joined the Tattwabodhini Sabha where he became Assistant secretary very soon. He was appointed a teacher of the Tattwabodhini Pathsala in 1940. In 1843, Tattwabodhini Patrika was published with Akshay as its first editor. Later he played a significant role in development of prose writing in Bengali. He wrote Bengali books in Physics and Geography, the first one of this kind. He also wrote books on astronomy, mathematics and geology. He was the first person in the Brahmo Samaj to boldly proclaim that the Vedas were not infallible. Apart from his magnum opus, other major works are Dharmaniti, Prachin Hinduder Samudrajatra O Banijya bistar, Bahyabastur sahit manabprakritir sambandha bichar and Charupath.

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Updated: January 10, 2014