• prodigy & scholar in sanskrit, bangla, english, hindu law
  • translated sanskrit text to eng
  • Principal of Sanskrit College
  • 1846: Principal of Fort Williams College
    • ensured lower caste admissions
    • favored western science and culture
  • 1855: book on widowhood & conducted signature campaign
  • 1856: The Hindu Widow Remarriage Act passed
  • 1857-58: inspector of schools
    • set up 20 model schools
    • 25 girls school w/ free education
  • 1870: wrote 2 books on polygamy & conducted signature campaign
  • Tagore called him father of Bangla prose