Who was Kadambini Ganguly?

Kadambini Ganguly was India's first woman surgeon, who broke barriers by becoming the first female student at Calcutta Medical College in 1883.

What happened when Kadambini Ganguly applied to Calcutta Medical College?

When Kadambini Ganguly applied to Calcutta Medical College in 1883, the institute initially refused to admit her, as women had never been allowed inside its classrooms. However, after public pressure, the college was forced to reverse its decision and admit Ganguly.

How did Kadambini Ganguly's career progress after graduating from Calcutta Medical College?

After completing her medical training at Calcutta Medical College in 1886, Kadambini Ganguly traveled to the UK for advanced training, earning multiple medical qualifications. She then returned to India to practice as a gynecologist and surgeon, becoming a pioneering figure in the field.

Home / Lifestyle / Trailblazing Surgeon Kadambini Ganguly Breaks Barriers in 1880s Calcutta

Trailblazing Surgeon Kadambini Ganguly Breaks Barriers in 1880s Calcutta

17 Nov

•

Summary

First woman to study medicine at Calcutta Medical College in 1883
Became one of the first female medical graduates in the British Empire by 1886
Took a newspaper editor to court and won a defamation case for calling her "notorious"

Trailblazing Surgeon Kadambini Ganguly Breaks Barriers in 1880s Calcutta

In November 2025, the trailblazing journey of Kadambini Ganguly, India's first woman surgeon, continues to inspire. In 1883, Ganguly made history when she applied to Calcutta Medical College, a place where no woman had ever studied before. Despite facing fierce opposition from professors and an all-male student body, Ganguly persisted, and public pressure forced the college to admit her.

Even after Ganguly entered the classroom, the resistance did not end. Some professors refused to teach her, but the college administration eventually intervened, ensuring she was treated like any other student. By 1886, Ganguly completed her medical training, becoming one of the first female medical graduates in the British Empire.