Dwarkanath Gooptu

Dr. Dwarkanath Gooptu (Bengali দ্বারকানাথ গুপ্ত, 1818–1882) was an Indian doctor. He was one of the earliest practitioners of western medicine in Calcutta to have graduated from Bengal Medical College. He later went on to invent and patent an anti-pyretic mixture prescribed to patients with malarial fever. He was among the earliest Vaidyas trained in the science of western medicine. He founded Messrs. D. Gooptu and Co. at the age of twenty-two and turned it into one of the most successful business enterprises in British India

Early life Dr. D Gooptu was the son of Brindaban Chandra Gupta who had considerable landed property in and around Calcutta. Dr. D Gooptu was one of the favourite students of David Hare who introduced him to other well-to-do families in Calcutta, and thus at the age of twenty-two he began his career as a medical practitioner, becoming the family physician to all the Tagore households. commonly known as "D. Gooptu Tonic," which was the specific medicine prescribed for all kinds of fever and malarial fever and it had perhaps one of the largest sales among patented medicines in British India. There is a mention of the patented 'D.Gooptu' medicine in 'Sri Sri Ramakrishna Kathamritha' where he describes Dr Gooptu work as something which brings quick relief compared to traditional medicine; He uses the analogy to highlight the importance of path of devotion i.e. Bhakti yoga in times of Kali Yuga or 'age of vice' compared to the path of ritualistic action i.e. Karma yoga. It is also mentioned that when Ramakrishna had malarial fever in 1879–80, he got relief from the fever after having the medicine as traditional ayurvedic medicines were not effective.

Dr D. Gooptu's proximity to the British also helped him to export his products to Africa and the business was transacted at 369, Upper Chitpore Road and 13, Esplanade Row East, Calcutta.

Apart from the anti-pyretic mixture, there were several other proprietary medicines of the firm, the names of which are:-