Origins & Early Life

Radhanath Sikdar (Bengali: রাধানাথ শিকদার; 5 October 1813 – 17 May 1870) was an Indian mathematician and social reformer. He is best known for being the first person to calculate the height of Mount Everest, in 1852. He was a member of Henry Derozio's Young Bengal group. In 1854, along with fellow Derozian Peary Chand Mitra, Sikdar founded Masik Patrika, a Bengali journal for the education of the Indian women.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Sikdar was born on 5 October 1813, into a Bengali Brahmin family in Calcutta to Tituram Sikdar and Deviki Sikdar. His father worked as a clerk. He had a brother named Srinath Sikdar. Demonstrating exceptional mathematical ability from an early age, Radhanath's talent soon drew the attention of John Tytler, then Professor of Mathematics at Hindu College (now Presidency University). Recognizing his promise, Tytler provided him with invaluable mentorship and academic support, which played a formative role in Sikdar's intellectual development.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1831, George Everest, the Surveyor General of India, was in the pursuit of a mathematician who had specialised in spherical trigonometry, so that they could be a part of the Great Trigonometric...

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