Question
Describe the history of the Calcutta Medical College and also its medical education.
Answer
Calcutta Medical College is one of the oldest and most prestigious medical institutions in India. It was established in 1835 by Lord William Bentinck, the then Governor-General of India. The college was started to provide medical education to Indian students and create a pool of qualified Indian doctors.
Initially, the college was set up as an affiliated institution of the University of Calcutta. It was located in the premises of the Presidency General Hospital. In 1857, the college moved to a new building at Bowbazar Street in Kolkata.
Calcutta Medical College played a significant role in the development of medical education in India. It was the first medical institution in the country to introduce a formal medical curriculum and offer medical degrees. The college also established the first medical library in India.
The medical education offered by Calcutta Medical College was based on the British system of medicine. The college provided training in anatomy, physiology, surgery, and pharmacology. The college also offered practical training in hospitals and dispensaries. The medical education was rigorous and demanding, and only a few students could complete the course.
The college has produced several notable alumni, including Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, the second Chief Minister of West Bengal, and Dr. B.C. Guha, the founder of the first medical college in Bangladesh.
