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Birbal Sahni, a leading paleobotanist from India, dedicated his life to studying the fossils of the Indian subcontinent. His interests extended beyond paleobotany, covering geology, and archaeology as well. Not only did he make significant contributions to understanding plant evolution and India’s ancient flora, but he also played a key role in fostering scientific education in India. So in this article, we will discuss everything about the Birbal Sahni.
Table of Contents
Overview of Birbal Sahni
Here is some of the basic information about Brbal Sahni.
| Aspect | Detail |
| Birthdate | November 14, 1891, Behra, Shahpur District (now part of West Punjab, Pakistan) |
| Parents | Ruchi Ram Sahni (Father) |
| Ishwar Devi (Mother) | |
| Early Education | Lahore (Mission, Central Model, Government College) |
| Academic Achievements | 1st in Sanskrit (Matriculation) |
| Top Student in Intermediate Science (Provincial Level) | |
| University Education | Punjab University (Graduation – 1911), Cambridge University |
| Degrees | B.Sc. (London University) |
| D.Sc. (Palaeobotany, London University) | |
| Mentor | Sir Albert Charles Seward |
| Additional Contribution | Revised Lawson’s textbook of botany |
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Career of Birbal Sahni
The career of Birbal Sahni can be summarised in the following points. So have a brief look at his career.
- Birbal Sahni returned to India in 1919 and began his teaching career. Beginning his journey he worked as a natural science teacher at Banaras Hindu University for a year.
- In 1920, he moved to Lahore and spent the following year there. He was again teaching plant science at Punjab University.
- In 1921, Sahni arrived in Lucknow to take up a teaching position at Lucknow University. He quickly rose through the ranks.
- Here he was promoted to a senior member of the Faculty of Science in 1933. In the same year, he also married Savitri, the daughter of a close friend of his father’s.
- Birbal Sahni remained at Lucknow University until his death in 1949.
- During his time there, he became the Head of the Departments of Botany and Topography. He also founded the Indian Botanical Society in 1924, leaving a lasting impact on the field of botany in India.
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Achievements of Birbal Sahni
His journey of achievements began in 1936 when he was elected ‘Fellow of the Royal Society’ (FRS), the highest scientific honour in the UK (1st Indian botanist).
- He was an awardee of the following prizes:
- Barelay Medal (Scientific exploration)
- C.R. Reddy National Prize (fundamental sciences)
- Nelson Wright Medal (Numismatics Society of India)
- Discovered different aspects of Indian palaeobotany:
- Studied Gondwana flora
- Discovered diphenoxylate & pentoxylate (fossil gymnosperms) in Bihar’s Raj Mahal hills
- Other major contributions:
- Researched Indus Valley Civilization & Salt Range (now in Pakistan)
- Founded Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany in Lucknow
- In his legacy:
- Birbal Gold Award given to India’s best botanist
- Died at career peak (April 10, 1949)
FAQs
Birbal Sahni, a person known for his contribution to paleobotany, is known for his extensive studies and discoveries of fossil plants in India, particularly from the Gondwana era.
Birbal Sani is the father of Indian paleontology because of his extensive contribution to the respective industry.
Shrimati Ishwar Devi is Birbal Sahni’s mother and he was the third child of his family.
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