R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital - History

History

The medical school was established by Dr. Radha Gobinda Kar in 1886 as Calcutta School of Medicine. Dr. Jagabandhu Bose was the first president of the school. In 1887, the name was changed into Calcutta Medical School. The students were taught for three years, and the curriculum was in Bengali. In 1899, the construction of the building at the new location started, and in 1902 the Albert Victor Hospital, named after Prince Albert Victor, was opened.

After the death of Dr. John Martin Coates on July 10, 1895 Medical Association of India opened a 'Coates Memorial Fund' to raise money to open a college in memory of Coates. On November 29, a special meeting was convened to fix the rules and regulations of the proposed institution. The medium of the course was decided to be in both Bengali and English. Dr. Jagabandhu Bose was elected as the first president of the institute. College was established at 165, Bowbazar Street and was soon moved to 294, Upper Circular Road. The institute was formally opened in 1896, and the classes started in 1897.

In 1904, the hospital and the college merged and became known as The Calcutta Medical School and College of Physicians and Surgeons of Bengal. In 1916, it was renamed the Belgachhia Medical College. By 1916 all the departments except for the Ophthalmology Department were housed in the same building. In 1919 the college was renamed the Carmichael Medical College, to recognize the gift of Lord Carmichael. In 1933, the first Psychiatry Out Patient Department in Asia opened, the chairman was Professor Girindrasekhar Bose. In 1937 the first biochemistry department in the country was established, and in 1939 the cardiology department, also the first in India, opened.

In 1948, the hospitel was renamed R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, to commemorate Dr. Kar.