James Prinsep--an unsung genius

If ever there has been an unsung genius, it is James Prinsep. Born in 
1799, he had a short life of only forty years. And yet, considering his wide 
variety of interests and his seminal contributions in many of areas, it can be 
stated that he was one of the greatest geniuses born in human history. Thus, he 
was at the same time a physicist, a chemist, an anthropologist, a geologist, a 
town-planner, a cartographer and an architect. His achievements, that of 
deciphering the 'Bhahmi' and "Kharoshthi" scripts would have entitled him to a 
place among the greats of intellectual history. 

Among varied interests, the holy and ancient city of Benares was his fashion. 
James Prinsep was the first to draw up a map of the city, the first to carry 
out an authentic census, and the first to a construct a bridge over the river 
"Karamanasa", a great which had defied engineers and architects for nearly a 
century. He was also the person to lay the underground drainage system - one 
that still serves the city. Author of a very recent book "Benares Illustrated 
by James Prinsep", the speaker has taken up a large project on James Prinsep, 
as his labour of love, and the topic of this colloquium. 

SPEAKER'S PROFILE: Dr Om Prakash Kejariwal has had a distinguished career with 
the Government of India rising up to Director-General, All India Radio from 
1997 to 1999, and Central Information Commissioner, in the Central Information 
commission, New Delhi from 2005 to 2009. He has keen interest in history, and 
has received several fellowships to pursue his researches in history, such as 
from British Council, the Asiatic society of Bombay, and the Indian Council of 
Historical Research.