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Kadambini Ganguly
Breaking barriers to women’s medical education and becoming one of India’s first practising women physicians.
University graduation · Medical qualification
- Born
- 18 July 1861
- Birthplace
- Bhagalpur, India
- Died
- 3 October 1923
More people
Kadambini Ganguly
Kadambini Ganguly was a Bengali physician and reformer in British India. She pursued medical qualifications despite barriers based on gender and race, then built a clinical practice. Her public work also included women’s rights and participation in the Indian National Congress.
Early life
Reform-minded family
Her father, Braja Kishore Basu, supported women’s education.
University breakthrough
Studied at Bethune and earned a University of Calcutta BA in 1883 alongside Chandramukhi Bose.
Career
- 1880s
Calcutta medical study
Entered Calcutta Medical College and received its GBMC qualification in 1886.
- 1888
Hospital appointment
Joined Lady Dufferin Hospital, where she challenged unequal opportunities for Indian women doctors.
- 1893
Scottish qualifications
Earned the Triple Qualification through medical colleges in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
- 1890s–1923
Clinical practice
Returned to Calcutta and developed hospital and private medical work.
Contributions
University graduation
Was among the first women to graduate from an Indian university.
Medical qualification
Obtained a qualification allowing practice, although she was not awarded the MB degree.
Triple Qualification
Secured additional British credentials after facing workplace discrimination.
Beyond medicine
Political participation
Was among the women delegates at the 1889 Indian National Congress and addressed its platform in 1890.
Women’s working lives
Campaigned for women’s rights, including improved conditions for women miners.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Institutional biography and career record ↗Photo: See source. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
