Peary Charan Sircar

Peary Charan Sarkar (1823–1875) was an educationist, philanthropist and textbook writer in nineteenth century Bengal. His series of Reading Books introduced a whole generation of Bengalis to the English language, sold in the millions and were translated into every major Indian language. He was also a pioneer of women's education in Bengal and was called 'Arnold of the East.

Early life and family Sarkar was born at Chorbagan in North Calcutta. His family hailed from Taragram in Hooghly district of West Bengal, and the family name was originally Das. For services rendered, the Nawab of Bengal had awarded the title 'Sarkar' to Bireshwar Das, an ancestor. Bhairav Chandra Sarkar, Pyari Charan's father, had become quite wealthy as a ship chandler serving the East India Company, and the family was regarded as a good example of the new bhadralok class. Sarkar was educated at David Hare's Pataldanga School Sircar continued to actively in campaign for women's education, helping to set up several more schools, including a technical and an agricultural school. and was responsible for changing its name to Hare School.

Presidency College In 1863 Sarkar was appointed as a temporary lecturer at Presidency College, Kolkata. In 1867, he was made a permanent lecturer. There was some opposition to this, as Sarkar had never completed his education, but such a promotion was not uncommon, and Sircar's abilities were sufficient to the heads of the school.

He continued his campaign for women's rights, donating two and a half thousand rupees to the Widow Remarriage Fund in 1869. In 1873, he became a member of the working committee of Keshub Chunder Sen's Society for the Suppression of Vice in Indian Society. He was also associated with the Bengal Temperance Society. Keshab Chandra Sen later took up his work on temperance in Indian Reform Association.

After he was appointed as Professor at Presidency College, Sarkar would visit Colootollah school and take a few classes whenever he could. He was regarded as a very meticulous teacher, always correcting his students' work precisely. He also insisted that they learn practical skills as well, and used to teach his students gardening. In 1875, while working in his garden, Sarkar cut his finger. The wound turned gangrenous and an operation failed to save his life. Sarkar died on 1 October 1875.

The Reading Books The First Book of Reading for Native Children was published in 1850, likely by the School Book Press, and the rest of the Reading Books (numbers two to six) came out between 1851 and 1870, not necessarily in sequence. Macmillan was looking for a ready-made series with which to launch their Indian publishing business.

Other achievements

Sarkar played a significant role in the Bengal Renaissance. Apart from his role in initiating women's education and impressing upon people to send their daughters to school when Bethune School was opened, he played a pioneering role in the teaching of agriculture in a scientific manner. He set up a vocational training centre for the children of women workers and was instrumental in opening many new schools.

Sarkar took charge of editing the government newspaper Education Gazette in 1866, but resigned when he was not allowed to publish certain news. He took a leading role in promoting prohibition and was one of the founders of Eden Hindu Hostel, which is located on the street named after Sarkar: Peary Charan Sarkar Street

He published two newspapers titled Well Wisher and Hitasadhak.