The first attempt for the introduction of a proper medical training was undertaken by Lord William Bentinck. As a fruit of his effort and long persuasion, government order was passed to set up a medical college in Calcutta which is known as Calcutta Medical College. As the resolution was passed on 28th January, 1835, this day is observed as the Foundation Day of the College. What we see at the premises of Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, did not exist during the early period of its inception. An old house at the rear of the Hindu College was converted for use as the New Medical College.







Arial view of the premises in 1934

This was used till the premises of the Petty Court Jail, the site of which included a part of the present building housing the Physiology and other departments and a part of the field to he north of Administrative Block, was ready for use. The first batch of the students numbered 50 and they received stipend from Rs. 7 to 12 per month. The period of the study was for four years on completion of which, they were to appear at the final examination conducted under supervision of the committee of the Council of Education. The successful students after passing the final examination received certificates of qualification to practise Medicine and Surgery, and would receive pay as Native Doctors starting with Rs. 30 per month, for being employed under government. With this, the books and apparatus of the abolished Native Institution was made over.



Till 18th century, teaching and practice of medicine in India was done according to Ayurvedic or Unani or Arabic system. Wisdom of Charaka and Sushruta was compared to the pioneer western physicians like Hippocrates. It was the British rulers who during early 19th century trained few of the Indians for diagnosis and treatment of diseases admintsering alopathic medicine.





CMH Building in 1910

British Government tried with a native medical school that did not prove to be purposeful for the cause of diseases prevailing in India. They decided to set up a medical college in Calcutta.



Laying of Foundation Stone

Then came the greatest days in the history of medical education in India on 28th January, 1835, when government order was passed By British rulers vide Notification GO No. 28 dated 28th January, 1835, the first Medical College was established in Kolkata, erstwhile Calcutta, which was the British capital in India.



The order said that the native medical institution to be abolished and a new medical college be formed for the education of Indian youth without distinction of creed or caste and that teaching be carried out through the medium of English language in strict accordance with the methods adapted in Europe.



This Medical College in course of time came to be known as Calcutta Medical College and Hospital. The Medical College is best known as the first medical college in the east. It has been running past two centuries and today is the best example of heritage medical college.





Outline of Original Building



The heritage of the college is preserved till this day through the buildings those were built over centuries, The Operation Theatre with Viewers' Gallery that is more than 150 year old. Not only the education and the premises of the college bears the heritage mark of the college, but also the students of the college like Pandit Madhusudhan Gupta, the first male student of the east and Kadambini Ganguly, the first female student of the east.

Medical College and Hospital Kolkata

88 College Street,

Kolkata - 700 072

Phone : 91-33-2451 2644

Website : www.medicalcollegekolkata.org



Principal : Prof. (Dr.) Utpal Dutta

M.S.V.P. : Prof. (Dr.) Anup Roy



If you want to write to Principal, please mail to principal@medicalcollegekolkata.org



If you want to write to M.S.V.P., please mail to msvp@medicalcollegekolkata.org



If you want to write to Assistant Superindant, please mail to asstsupr@medicalcollegekolkata.org