The Young P.C. Ray and the Inauguration of the Social History of Science in India (1885-1907)

This paper discusses two projects in the early life of the Indian chemist, P. C. Ray, rightfully considered the founder of the 'school of chemistry' in modern India. Ray scholarship has often considered these years of his life as important from the point of view of an appreciation of the history of alchemy in India, but not in terms of his scientific contributions. It is only after 1907 that the Ray legend became the subject of serious scientific consideration. This paper discusses Ray's evolution till 1907, by examining the relationship between his project on the history of chemistry in India and his scientific researches on mercury. Further, it goes on to suggest that this effort was part of the larger programme of the cultural legitimation of modern science, and the two projects otherwise considered distinct, mutually informed each other during these years. While identifying the context of Ray's project, this exercise in social epistemology locates the factors that have clouded the recognition of the thematic unity of Ray's endeavour.