Oriental Society, 1887; Asiatic Society of Italy, 1887; of Imperial Academy of Science, St. Petersburg, 1888: Foreign member of the French Institute, 1895: also of the International Congress of Orientalists, London, 1874; and of Vienna, 1886, which he attended: C.I.E., 1887: retired from service, 1893: Hon. Phil. Dr. Gottingen University: has contributed largely to the Journals and Transactions of learned Societies, especially in Bombay, on philological and antiquarian subjects: also to the Indian Antiquary: first lecturer on the Wilson Lectureship, Bombay University: reported on his searches for Sanskrit MSS. in the Bombay Presidency: edited the text of the Sanskrit Malati-Madhava: and has written Sanskrit educational works: is a leader of the enlightened religious movement of the Prathna Samaj in W. India: as a social reformer has practically supported the re-marriage of widows, and in politics is a moderate progressive.
BHASKARANANDA, SWAMI (1833–1899)
Motiram (his early name) was born in the village of Maithilalpur in Cawnpur, about 6 miles from the residence of Nana Sahib (q.v.): at 8, he learnt the elements of Sanskrit, and completed his study on Panini (grammar) at 17: renounced the world, went on pilgrimage, and wandered in search of knowledge: studied Vedanta philosophy at Ujain, became a Sanyasi (devotee) at 27, assuming the name of Bhaskarananda, (the sun-enchanted). For mental discipline, he kept silence for several months, and often roamed about the banks of the Ganges with head uncovered in the sun for hours together: lived for several years at Hardwar absorbed in the study of Bhagavat Gita and the Upanishads: migrated to Benares and lived a life of great austerity, devotion, contemplation and study, till he died in July, 1899: was a bright-looking ascetic, always cheerful and of intense spiritual energy: European savants and Princes, going to Benares, used to visit him: three marble statues have been raised in his honour.
BHATAWADEKAR, SIR BHATCHANDRA KRISHNA (1852–)
Educated at Elphinstone High School and Grant Medical College, Bombay: Chief Medical Officer in the Baroda State, 1875–85: President of the Bombay Municipal Corporation: author of several treatises: made a Knight Bachelor, Feb. 7, 1900.
BHAU DAJI, OR RAMKRISHNA VITAL (1821–1874)
A Sarasvat Gond Brahman, and son of a small farmer of Mandra, in Goa: educated in the Native Education Society's School in Bombay, and became a teacher in the Elphinstone School: joined, 1845, the Grant Medical College as a student, and graduated in 1850: as a practitioner, achieved great popularity and success: made original researches in the use of Indian drugs, with a special view to discovering a cure for leprosy in its earlier stages, and contributed some valuable papers to the Antiquary: was a member of the chief educational and learned Societies in Bombay: a Fellow of the University, a Justice of the Peace, the first native Sheriff of Bombay in 1869 and 1871: was also Dr.: died of paralysis in 1874.
BHIDE, GOPALRAO HARI (1843–1896)
A native of Mahapada in the Presidency of Bombay: son of a learned Brahman of the old type, who, too poor to maintain his family, migrated to Kalyan: educated at Poona: entered the railway service as a signaller, employed in the Berars and afterwards at Nagpur: became a clerk in the Magistrate's office and read law: in 1869 became a Pleader and obtained a lucrative practice: devoted himself to social reforms, particularly female education, the remarriage of widows, and improvement of modes of agriculture: through his advice the first proprietary cotton mill was established at Nagpur: died Jan. 4, 1896.
BHOPAL, NAWAB SHAH JEHAN, BEGAM OF (1838–1901)
Born July 3, 1838: proclaimed ruler of Bhopal, Jan. 10, 1847, her mother, Sikandar Begam (q.v.) being Regent: abdicated May 1, 1860, in favour of her mother, on whose death, Oct. 30, 1868, she succeeded to the government of the State: she married, first Bakshi Bahi Muhammad Khan, (who died 1867), and had one daughter, the present Nawab
