Biography of Pandit Divi Gopalacharlu: A revolutionary reformer of Ayurveda in preindependent India

Abstract

Pandit Divi Gopalacharlu was a legendary Ayurvedic physician who provided valuable service to Ayurveda and made a remarkable contribution to the upliftment of Ayurveda. His primary education and Sanskrit studies were held in Machalipatnam, and he completed his studies at Mahant school in Tirupati and was conferred with the title “Acharya.” He completed his Ayurveda education at Maharajah’s Ayurveda Oriental School in Mysore. The British Government recruited him as a special plague officer in 1895. He succeeded in curing and controlling the disease. His services were applauded across India for his exceptional contribution and successful management of an emergency epidemiological condition through Ayurveda. Later, he worked as Chief Physician at a free dispensary hospital of Kanyaka Parameswari Devasthanam and Charities. He established the Ashramam of Ayurveda. He started teaching Ayurveda in Telugu and tried to create awareness among people about Ayurveda. He started Ayurvedashrama Granthamala and published nearly 20 Ayurvedic texts. He wrote translations and commentaries in Telugu for the classical Ayurvedic texts. He also started a journal, Dhanvantari, to publish various research outcomes of Ayurveda. He deciphered many inscriptions that had medical importance. He was honored with many awards and worked as the president of many committees. Through Kanyaka Parameswari Devasthanam and Charities, he started a free hospital and Ayurveda college. He established Madras Ayurveda Laboratory and started manufacturing and supplying Ayurvedic medicines all over India. He prepared hundreds of medicines and set standards for the preparations. This article covers his contributions and scholarliness in detail.