Meghnad Saha, a scientist of substance, was one great person who added a big theory in the field of astrophysics. The science behind how stars were made remained a big question. Saha was one of those eminent personalities who worked on this and gave a new theory to theworld of science.
On 6th October, 1893, MeghnadSaha was born in a small village named Shao Ratoli near Dhaka (present day Bangladesh). Saha was the fifth son of Jagannath Saha and Bhuvneshwari Devi. Meghnad Saha was from a very poor family and had a simple way of living. Saha’s childhood was spent struggling against certain hardships of life. After finishing his primary education, his father wanted him to join his business. But the luck of Meghnad Saha was good and he got the support from a local doctor, Ananta Kumar Das, for his education.
Saha Joined the Collegiate School but was suspended because of his support to Freedom Fighting Movement. So he joined Kishorilal Jubilee School and later Calcutta University in the year 1909. The process of he becoming a physicist began after he joined the Presidency College, Calcutta in 1911. Saha did his BSc in mathematics and MSc in Applied mathematics.
Meghnad Saha started his career by joining the University College of Science, Calcutta as a lecturer in 1916. Along with the teaching career, Saha started research on topics of astrophysics and radiations. He brought in the concept of ‘Ionization formula’, also known as Saha’s ‘Thermo-Ionization Equation’ which tells about the distance between the celestial bodies and the intensity of heat. He also explained about the spectral lines. This was indeed, one of the biggest contributions made by him in the field of astrophysics. He also did research in London and Germany under Prof. Alexander Fowler and Prof. Walter Nurnst.
Be-sides this, Saha has various other contributions in the field of science. He devised an instrument to measure the pressure and weight of solar rays. Saha was a part of various organizations like the Indian Institute of Science, National Academy of Science, etc. He established institutions like Institutes of Nuclear Physics and Indian Science News Association, Calcutta. The credit of creating the original plan of Damodar Valley goes to Meghnad Saha.
Meghnad Saha was one great personality who faced many odds in life and still managed to get a name and fame in the world. He had a great knowledge about science and language which he used for benefitting the nation.
Meghnad Saha died on 16th February, 1956, due to heart attack. But before leaving the world, he left his imprints so that he would be remembered. The book ‘Complete Works of MeghnadSaha’ has detail information about all the achievements made by him.
MeghnadSaha paved a new way to stellar astrophysics and has helped the science to know a lot more about Universe and Astrology. He was one amazing personality about whom the nation will always be proud of!