Harish Chandra Mukherjee Biography 
Harish Chandra Mukherjee was an Indian journalist and patriot from Bengal in the 19th century. He is popular for his successful fight and defense British government against indigo planters and forced the government to bring about changes. He was one of the founders of the Bhowanipur Brahmo Samaj. He was the owner and editor of Hindu Patriot.
His ancestors belong to Sridharpur in Bardhaman district. But he was born at Bhowanipur in Kolkata. He was born to Ramdhan Mukherjee in April, 1824. Ramdhan had three wives and Harish was born to his third wife Rukmini Devi. He was a free student at Union School. But he gave up his studies due to poverty and started working to earn a living. Later he got a clerical post in the office of the Military Auditor General through competitive examination and worked there till the end of his life. He served at different positions. In 1852, he became a member of British Indian Association and was one of the founding members of Bhowanipur Brahmo Samaj.
Though his education was discontinued in early days, he learnt history, politics, law and English by himself. He started writing columns in a few a newspapers like Hindu Intelligencer and The Bengal Recorder, criticizing the government. He had a long term association with ‘Hindu Patriot’ right from its beginning. The newspaper was started in 1853 and after two years, he secured the ownership and became its editor. During Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, he wrote about the matter in Hindu patriot. However, this newspaper was in lack of fund after his death and it was bought by Kaliprasanna Singha.
Indigo cultivation had been greatly increased from the 18th century. But the cultivators got bad returns. Thus they revolted and refused to undertake indigo cultivation. Through Hindu patriot, he wrote about this movement and thus played a key role. He died on 14 June 1861. A large public park in Bhowanipur, Kolkata has been named after him.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 10, 2014
