Among the distinguished minds who continue to illuminate the history of mathematical practice in Bengal through their wisdom, research and selfless dedication, one of the most revered is Jadav Chandra Chakravarti, widely known as the Emperor of Mathematics. His extraordinary contribution in making mathematics simple, logical, and accessible to ordinary people remains unparalleled in the Indian subcontinent. So profound was the impact of his intellect that the British Government honoured him with the title “Mathematics Emperor”—a recognition that went beyond personal prestige and became a matter of pride for the entire Bengali mathematical tradition.
Early Life and Education — Born from the Soil, Dreaming of the Sky
Jadav Chandra was born in 1855 in Tentulia village of Jhaoil Union, under Kamarkhanda Upazila in Sirajganj district. He was a child of rural Bengal in all its simplicity. His father, Krishna Chandra Chakravarti, and mother, Durga Sundari, were both devoted to learning. Though he was born into a farming family, the intellectual atmosphere he was exposed to from an early age nurtured him into an extraordinary talent.
From his childhood, he displayed a remarkable fascination for numbers. Even during his schooling in the village, his teachers realised that he was no ordinary child but a gifted mathematical prodigy.
For higher studies, he travelled to Calcutta. At that time, Presidency College was the institution of choice for Bengal’s brightest minds, and it was there that he earned his Master’s degree in Mathematics with distinction. During this period, his intellectual horizon expanded further. Questions such as how mathematics could be made simpler, and how it could reach the general reader, drew him intensely towards both teaching and research.
Academic Career — Spreading the Light of Knowledge
His teaching career began at Calcutta City College. He quickly became popular among his students because of his simple, practical, and engaging explanations. Even the most complex mathematical formulae turned into lively stories in his classroom. This natural gift for lucid explanation later became the foundation of all his writings.
Soon, his reputation spread to Aligarh. The founder of Aligarh Muslim University, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, was so impressed by his brilliance that he personally invited him to join as a Professor of Mathematics.
Sir Syed even arranged for a separate bungalow for him—a rare gesture that demonstrated the deep respect he held for knowledge, learning, and talent.
Revolution in Textbook Writing — Bringing Mathematics to the Doorsteps of the Common People
A new era in mathematical education began with the publication of his English arithmetic book in 1890. He explained complex rules with such clarity that even an ordinary learner could understand them effortlessly. The book became immensely popular and was translated into Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Assamese, Nepali, and even into the Maithili language.
It was this book that first earned him recognition as one of the finest mathematical thinkers of the Indian subcontinent.
But he did not stop there.
His Algebra book, published in 1912, also created a significant impact. Newspapers and journals of the time—including Anandabazar and Bangadarshan—praised the book highly. For many years, these works remained standard texts in schools and colleges across Bengal.
Retirement, Return, and a Life Dedicated to Rural Education
After retiring from Aligarh University in 1916, he returned to his beloved Sirajganj. He had already built a home in the Dhanbandi area, where he spent his peaceful and contemplative retirement years.
He constructed a temple in his native village Tentulia—an enduring symbol of his memory cherished by the local community. Even in retirement, he remained actively engaged in writing, advising students, and conducting research—right until the final days of his life.
Final Journey — A Luminous Chapter of 65 Years
On 26 November 1920, he passed away at his residence in Calcutta, casting a shadow of grief across India and Bengal. Scholars, writers, and mathematicians remembered him with profound respect. He had elevated mathematics—often considered a dry subject—to an artistic and aesthetic height.
Our Eternal Salute to the Mathematics Emperor
Jadav Chandra Chakravarti was not merely a teacher or an author; he was a torchbearer of mathematical knowledge in Bengal. His books remain valuable resources for researchers and educators even today. He transformed mathematics from an object of fear into a source of joy.
The present generation must rediscover this great soul, reassess his works, and learn from his philosophy the love for mathematics.
Our deepest tribute to Mathematics Emperor Jadav Chandra Chakravarti.
The world of mathematics in Bengal will forever remember him with gratitude.