Dr. M.L. Sarkar is famous as a fosterer of Indian Homoeopathy. He was born in Paikpara village near Hawrah, Calcutta on 2 nd November. His father’s name was Mr. Taraknath Sarkar. He was the only son and at 5 years of age his father expired. He completed the college study in 1854 and got the admission in Medical College in 1855. In same year he got married. He completed his medical degree in 1860. He appeared for M.D. examination in 1863 and came out first. He was the 2 nd M.D. from Calcutta University.
When the British Medical Association, Bengal Branch was formed, Dr.Sarkar was elected as secretory of it. On opening day, he discussed few words about Homoeopathy. This speech attracted the attention of Dr. Rajendralal. He thought Dr. Sarkar is the right man who if convinced and converted would prove a good Homoeopath through out India. Dr. Rajendralal tried his best to convince Dr. Sarkar to prove the superiority of Homoeopathic Medicine. But no arguments could draw his attention and interest in Homoeopathy.
In these days, Dr. Sarkar was shining star in Horizon of allopathic physician. Dr. Sarkar was the neighbour of Dr. Rajendralal Dutt. Many cases given up by Dr. Sarkar and other allopathic physicians were treated successfully by Dr. Rajendralal. Dr. Sarkar never denied the cures effected by Dr. Rajendralal. But he did not co-operate him at that time. Once a book Morgan’s Philosophy of Homoeopathy was given to Dr. Sarkar by his friend to review it. This book was as a god send and he thought he would now have an opportunity of smashing Homoeopathy and of proving the absurdity and hollowness of system. While he was going through this book, he came to know about many facts and some miracles of Homoeopathy. At that time he was thinking about the treatment of Rajendra babu given in many cases which were given up by him and others.
16 th February, 1867 will remain a red later day in history of Homoeopathy when in a mitting of British Medical Association, Calcutta branch, Dr. Sarkar declared that he will have faith in Homoeopathy now and he stopped allopathic practice from that day.
After knowing the news of his conversion, all allopathic physicians were surprised. They thought to remove the name of Dr. Sarkar from the Medical Association but nothing could arrest the growth of his faith in Homoeopathy. In January, 1868 he started Calcutta Journal of Medicine. This journal was very much helpful to spread Homoeopathy in every corner of India. Dr. Sarkar’s science association on 13 th January, 1876. He was the Secretary of this Association. He was also elected as the member of faculty of art. But in 1878 he was transferred to the faculty of Medicine. Member of faculty of Medicine protested against the nomination of Dr. Sarkar because he was practicing Homoeopathy. Finally he gave resignation from the membership of faculty of Medicine. When other members began to make plots secretly against him. Later he was selected as the member of Bengal Legislative council in 1887. After some time in 1897, he got affection of Asthma and strangury. Due to very old age there was slight improvement but he could not get cure. Due to these two diseases, he expired on 23 rd February, 1904.
CONTRIBUTION:-
- Struggle for development of Homoeopathy in India.
- He published Calcutta Journal of Medicine to spread Homoeopathy all over India.
- He has written some books also:
- Hahnemann- the father of Scientific Medicine.
- Physiological basis of Psychology.
- Therapeutic of Plague.
- Sketch on treatment of Cholera.
