Background
Bhau Daji was born in 1822 at the village of Manjare, in the native state of Sawantwari, India, of humble parents dealing in clay dolls.
Bhau Daji was born in 1822 at the village of Manjare, in the native state of Sawantwari, India, of humble parents dealing in clay dolls.
Bhau moved to Mumbai and completed his schooling at the Elphinstone Institution. He then studied medicine at the Grant Medical College. He studied the Sanskrit literature of medicine.
Dr Bhau's career is a striking instance of great results arising from small accidents. On his father's death two years later he cheerfully undertook the burden of supporting his mother and a brother (Narayen), who also in after-life became a distinguished physician and surgeon. About this time he was appointed a teacher in the Elphinstone Institution. He began to devote his time to the study of Indian antiquities, deciphering inscriptions and ascertaining the dates and history of ancient Sanskrit authors.
In 1851 he set up as a medical practitioner in Bombay, where his success was so great that he soon made a fortune. He studied the Sanskrit literature of medicine, and also tested the value of drugs to which the ancient Hindus ascribed marvellous powers, among other pathological subjects of historical interest investigating that of leprosy. Being an ardent promoter of education, he was appointed a member of the board of education.
In the political progress of India he took a great and active interest.
He was twice chosen sheriff of Bombay, in 1869 and 1871.
He contributed numerous papers to the journal of the Bombay branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. He found time to make a large collection of rare ancient Sanskrit manuscripts at great cost and trouble.
He died in May 1874. His brother, Dr Narayen Daji (who helped him to set up the charitable dispensary in Bombay), did not long survive him.
Bhau Daji was appointed a member of the board of education, and was one of the original fellows of the university of Bombay. Bhau was also a member of Various scientific societies in England, France, Germany and America.
Bhau Daji was a man of the most simple and amiable character and manners; his kindness and sympathy towards the poor and distressed were unbounded, and endeared his memory among the Hindus of Bombay.