Prafulla Chandra Ray

Sir Prafulla Chandra Ray (1861–1944) was a preeminent Bengali chemist, academic, and entrepreneur, widely regarded as the father of chemical science in India. He founded Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals, India's first pharmaceutical company, and authored the landmark two-volume "A History of Hindu Chemistry." A passionate historian of science, Ray also edited and published ancient Indian alchemical texts to highlight India's early scientific traditions, including his work on the Sanskrit text रसार्णवम् (Rasārṇavam).