2. Satyendra Nath Bose
• Satyendra Nath Bose, born on January 1, 1894, in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India,
was a renowned mathematician and physicist known for his collaboration with
Albert Einstein on a theory related to the gas-like behavior of electromagnetic
radiation. He passed away on February 4, 1974, in Calcutta.
• Throughout his education in high school and college, Satyendra Nath Bose
exhibited exceptional brilliance as a student. He consistently secured the first
position in all his exams, including those for his graduate and post-graduate
degrees. In 1915, he obtained an M.Sc. in mixed mathematics from Presidency
College in Calcutta. He later began his teaching career at the University of Dacca
(1921–45) and subsequently returned to Calcutta (1945–56).
• During his lifetime, Satyendra Nath Bose contributed significantly to various
scientific fields. He authored numerous scientific publications between 1918 and
1956, which advanced areas such as statistical mechanics, ionosphere’s
electromagnetic properties, theories of X-ray crystallography and
thermoluminescence, and unification field theory. One of his notable works was
“Planck’s Law and the Hypothesis of Light Quanta” (1924), which caught the
attention of Albert Einstein, leading to their fruitful collaboration.
3. Early life
• Bose was born in Calcutta (now Kolkata), the eldest of seven children in a Bengali Kayastha family. He was the only
son, with six sisters after him. His ancestral home was in the village Bara Jagulia, in the district of Nadia, in
the Bengal Presidency. His schooling began at the age of five, near his home. When his family moved to Goabagan,
he was admitted into the New Indian School. In his final year of school, he was admitted into the Hindu School. He
passed his entrance examination (matriculation) in 1909 and stood fifth in the order of merit. He then joined the
intermediate science course at the Presidency College, Calcutta, where his teachers included Jagadish Chandra
Bose, Sarada Prasanna Das, and Prafulla Chandra Ray.
• Bose received a Bachelor of Science in mixed mathematics from Presidency College, standing first in 1913. Then he
joined Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee's newly formed Science College where he again stood first in the MSc mixed
mathematics exam in 1915. His marks in the MSc examination created a new record in the annals of the University
of Calcutta, which is yet to be surpassed.
• After completing his MSc, Bose joined the Science College, Calcutta University as a research scholar in 1916 and
started his studies in the theory of relativity. It was an exciting era in the history of scientific progress. Quantum
theory had just appeared on the horizon and significant results had started pouring in.
• His father, Surendranath Bose, worked in the Engineering Department of the East Indian Railway Company. In
1914, at age 20, Satyendra Nath Bose married Ushabati Ghosh,the 11-year-old daughter of a prominent Calcutta
physician.They had nine offspring, two of whom died in early childhood. When he died in 1974, he left behind his
wife, two sons, and five daughters.
• As a polyglot, Bose was well versed in several languages such as Bengali, English, French, German and Sanskrit as
well as the poetry of Lord Tennyson, Rabindranath Tagore and Kalidasa. He could play the esraj, an Indian
instrument similar to a violin.[15] He was actively involved in running night schools that came to be known as the
Working Men's Institute.
4. education
• Satyendra Nath Bose was born on January 1, 1894, in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India, into a middle-class Bengali
family. From an early age, Bose displayed an extraordinary aptitude for academics and showed a keen interest in
mathematics and science.
• Bose’s academic journey began at the Hindu School in Calcutta, where he excelled in his studies. He continued his
education at the Presidency College, Calcutta, where he pursued his undergraduate studies in mathematics.
During his time at the Presidency College, he demonstrated exceptional talent and consistently secured top
positions in all his examinations.
• After completing his undergraduate degree, Bose continued his academic pursuit at the University of Calcutta,
where he pursued his master’s degree in mixed mathematics. Once again, he achieved remarkable success and
obtained his M.Sc. degree in 1915, standing first in the examination.
• Even in his early life, Satyendra Nath Bose showed a curiosity for scientific research. He was influenced by the
works of renowned physicists and mathematicians of his time. He delved deep into the study of mathematics,
physics, and other scientific disciplines, nurturing his passion for understanding the intricacies of the universe.
• Bose’s brilliance in academia and his eagerness for scientific exploration led him to develop a strong foundation in
mathematics and theoretical physics. This laid the groundwork for his future contributions to the field of science.
• Throughout his academic journey, Bose’s dedication and academic prowess gained recognition from his teachers
and peers alike. His exceptional intellectual abilities earned him a reputation as one of the brightest minds of his
generation.
• As a young scientist, Bose’s curiosity and passion for scientific inquiry only grew stronger. Little did he know that
his work would lead to groundbreaking discoveries in the field of quantum mechanics and lay the foundation for
the concept of bosons and Bose-Einstein statistics.
• Satyendra Nath Bose’s education and early life played a pivotal role in shaping his future as a distinguished
physicist. His academic excellence, passion for research, and determination to explore the mysteries of the
universe paved the way for his remarkable contributions to science and his lasting legacy in the field of theoretical
physics.
5. Satyendra Nath Bose Important
Events
Date Event
January 1, 1894 Satyendra Nath Bose is born in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India
1915 Completes M.Sc. in mixed mathematics from Presidency College, Calcutta
1921 – 1945 Teaches at the University of Dacca
1924 Publishes “Planck’s Law and the Hypothesis of Light Quanta”
1926 Appointed Head of the Department of Physics at Dhaka University
1937 Rabindranath Tagore dedicates his only book on science, “Visva–Parichay,” to Satyendra Nath Bose
1945 – 1956 Returns to Calcutta and continues teaching and research there
1954 Honored with the title Padma Vibhushan by the Indian Government
1958 Becomes a Fellow of the Royal Society and nominated as a member of Rajya Sabha
1959 Appointed as the National Professor, the highest honor in the country for a scholar, a position he held for 15 years.
February 4, 1974 Satyendra Nath Bose passes away in Calcutta
6. Satyendra Nath Bose Invention of
Bose-Einstein Statistics
• One of Bose’s most significant contributions to physics
came in 1924 when he derived a new statistical
formulation known as Bose-Einstein statistics. This
statistical theory described the behavior of certain
types of particles, later called “bosons,” which include
photons (particles of light) and subatomic particles like
mesons and certain atomic nuclei. Bose sent his
research findings to Albert Einstein, who recognized
the importance of Bose’s work and helped publish it in
the scientific community. This led to the development
of the Bose-Einstein condensate, a state of matter that
occurs at extremely low temperatures.
7. Satyendra Nath Bose Later Life and
Legacy
• After his groundbreaking work on Bose-Einstein statistics, Bose continued
his academic career in India. He became a professor at the University of
Dhaka (now in Bangladesh) and later returned to Kolkata, where he served
as a professor at the University of Calcutta. Bose’s contributions to physics
and mathematics were widely recognized, and he received numerous
honors and awards throughout his career.
• Satyendra Nath Bose passed away on February 4, 1974, in Kolkata at the
age of 80, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the field of quantum
mechanics. His work on Bose-Einstein statistics laid the foundation for
further advancements in quantum physics and has had a profound impact
on our understanding of the behavior of particles at the atomic and
subatomic levels.
• Bose’s contributions to science continue to be celebrated, and his name is
honored through various scientific institutions and initiatives, including
the prestigious Bose Award for Physics, established in his memory. His
pioneering work has inspired generations of physicists and stands as a
testament to the brilliance and ingenuity of Indian scientists in the field of
theoretical physics.
8. Satyendra Nath Bose Achievements
• Satyendra Nath Bose’s contributions and achievements in the field of science were remarkable and
have left a lasting impact on theoretical physics. Some of his significant achievements include:
• Advisor to Council of Scientific and Industrial Research: Following the formation of the Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research, Satyendra Nath Bose was appointed as an advisor, recognizing his
expertise and knowledge in the field of science.
• Leadership Roles: Bose was chosen to lead prestigious scientific institutions, including the Indian
Physical Society, the Indian Statistical Institute, and the National Institute of Science. His leadership
helped promote scientific research and education in India.
• General President of Indian Science Congress: Bose was appointed as the General President of the
Indian Science Congress, showcasing his influential position in the scientific community and his
dedication to advancing scientific knowledge in the country.
• Rajya Sabha Nomination: Bose received a nomination to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the
Indian Parliament, highlighting his recognition and respect in the political and scientific spheres.
• Royal Society Fellow: In 1958, Satyendra Nath Bose was honored with the designation of Fellow of
the Royal Society, one of the most prestigious scientific honors in the world, reflecting his
significant contributions to science.
• Padma Vibhushan Award: In 1954, Bose received the Padma Vibhushan, one of the highest civilian
awards in India, for his exceptional contributions to science and theoretical physics.
• Nobel Prize Nomination: Although Satyendra Nath Bose was nominated for the Nobel Prize, he did
not receive the honor. Nevertheless, his work on quantum mechanics and Bose-Einstein statistics is
still regarded as one of the greatest accomplishments of the 20th century.
9. Satyendra Nath Bose Legacy
• Satyendra Nath Bose’s legacy continues to be celebrated in the world of science. His contributions
to quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics have shaped modern theoretical physics. Some of
the key aspects of his legacy include:
• Naming of Bosons: In honor of Satyendra Nath Bose’s contributions to science, Paul Dirac named
elementary subatomic particles with integer spin “bosons.” These particles follow Bose-Einstein
statistics and have become fundamental in particle physics.
• Google Doodle Tribute: On June 4, 2022, Google paid homage to Satyendra Nath Bose by featuring
him on a Google Doodle. This tribute marked the 98th anniversary of Bose sending his
groundbreaking quantum formulations to Albert Einstein, acknowledging the significance of his
discoveries in quantum mechanics.
• Immortalized Contributions: Despite not receiving the Nobel Prize, Satyendra Nath Bose’s name is
immortalized in the language of science through the concept of bosons and Bose-Einstein statistics.
His work continues to be studied and admired by physicists worldwide.
• Satyendra Nath Bose’s profound impact on theoretical physics and his relentless pursuit of scientific
knowledge have made him one of the most illustrious figures in the history of science. His legacy
lives on through his groundbreaking work and the recognition he has received for his exceptional
contributions to the field of science.
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