IJMRR - International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews
Int. J. Multidiscip. Res. Rev.
DOI Prefix: 10.56815
I J M R R
Int. J. Multidiscip. Res. Rev.

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews

Peer Reviewed | UGC Compliant | High Impact Factor | Scientific Journal

ISSN: 2945-3135 | High Scientific Impact | UGC-CARE Followed
IJMRR - International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews

International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Reviews

DOI DOI Prefix: 10.56815
Vol. 5 (2026) No. 4: April (2026)

Medical and Educational Missions of the Christian Missionaries in South-West Bengal with Reference to Midnapore, Bankura and Manbhum District

Dr. Shib Sankar Ghosh

The contribution of the Christian Missionaries in the field of educational and medical development in Bengal occupies a significant place in colonial social history. Prior to colonial intervention, healthcare in regions such as Midnapore, Bankura, Manbhum, Birbhum, Burdwan the south-western portion of Bengal largely depended on indigenous systems of medicine i.e., Ayurveda, Unani and folk remedies. From the late eighteenth century onwards, Christian Missionaries began to propagate evangelical work with humanitarian services, especially in the field of healthcare and education. The London Missionary Society, Church Missionary Society, Baptist Missionary Society, Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society, German Evangelical Lutheran Mission and United Free Church of Scotland Mission played pioneering roles in integrating medicine and education into missionary activity. Missionaries realised that educational and medical charity could be the easiest tools of contact with local communities, especially among the poor and the socially excluded who were largely neglected by the colonial government. This paper explores the impact of missionary medical and educational activities in South-Western tracts of Bengal establishing them within the broader colonial context and analysing the relationship between humanitarian service, social reform and religious motivation.

 

Keywords:
Missionary Medicine Education Midnapore Bankura Manbhum SouthWest Bengal Tribal