In 1902, Acharya Jagadis Chandra Bose (1858 -1937) built his residential house “Acharya Bhaban” at 93, Upper Circular Road (now 93, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road), Kolkata 700009. Acharya Bose and Lady Abala Bose lived out their lives in this house. In a life spanning from 1858 to 1937 and encompassing the Renaissance era in the Arts, Culture and the Sciences in Bengal, Acharya Bose ardently pursued scientific ideas that were 60 years ahead of his time. Equally important were his interests in art, literature and philosophy. The influence of the Upanishad philosophy is reflected in his scientific work which addressed philosophical issues such as the basic unity of life and non - life. Among the friends with whom he deliberated on the arts, literature, philosophy and science in the precincts of Acharya Bhaban and beyond, were some of the greatest luminaries of the country including Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Sister Nivedita, Mahatma Gandhi, P.C. Ray, S.N. Bose, Meghnad Saha etc. and many other luminaries of the world, Albert Einstein, Bernard Shaw, Romain Rolland, Lord Rayleigh, Henry Cavendish et al.
Lady Abala Bose (1864-1951), a worthy wife and a constant companion of Sir J C Bose, was a visionary, educationist and social and political reformer in her own right. Her pioneering contributions in the field of Indian women's education and emancipation have been overshadowed by the glory of Acharya Bose.
Of the erudite couples of the Bengal Renaissance, the Bose couple was probably the only one who, in unison, influenced the educational and social reforms of the region immensely. They may thus be referred to as “the Bengal Renaissance Couple”.
It is the life of Acharya Bose and Lady Abala Bose vis-à-vis the history of this era that is treasured in Acharya Bhaban.
Sir J C Bose Trust is a non-profit organization founded in 1931 by Acharya Bose. The Trust has been entrusted to maintain Acharya Bhaban along with their moveable and immoveable properties (separate from the Bose Institute) and to preserve their legacy and heritage treasured here for posterity.
At the time of its inception the Trust was run by many luminaries of Bengal. Sir J C Bose and Lady Abala Bose were founder members and secretaries successively. At present, the Trust Board is looked after by scientists and notable persons of the city of Kolkata appointed as per the provisions made by Acharya Bose in the original Trust Deed.
To develop Acharya Bhaban into a world - class "Science Heritage Museum".
Of all national assets, archives are the most precious, they are the gift of one generation to another, and the extent of our care of them marks the extent of our civilization.” - Sir Arthur Doughty, Archivist
Thus our motto is also to preserve the legacy of J C Bose for posterity.
