Meghnad Saha, F.R.S.: the multiple facets of a teacher

Abstract

Meghnad Saha, the famous scientist, researcher, organiser and institution builder became a D.Sc. at the age of 25 and the 5th Indian Fellow of the Royal Society (F.R.S.) at 34. Having primary education in village schools, he rose to be one of the top scientists India ever produced, establishing two of the foremost science academies of the country. He has been nominated six times for the nobel prize. These are discussed elsewhere elaborately, as also his political career. However, Meghnad was primarily a teacher, starting his initial teaching career during 1916–1923 at Calcutta University; moved to Allahabad University from 1923 to 1938 and again returning back to Calcutta University in 1938. He retired from Calcutta University in 1953. Meghnad Saha’s teaching and in particular, his text books had a global impact. The Text Book on Heat (1931), Treatise on Heat (1931), Treatise on Modern Physics (1934) and Six Lectures on Atomic Physics (1931) were all voluminous books, co-authored by his students (excepting the last one). The revised editions of these books were brought out at regular intervals. This article deals with Saha’s teaching and his text books, which withstood the ravages of time.