Dr. Prafulla Chandra Ghosh was one of the most prominent Indian freedom fighters from Bengal and was also the first Chief Minister of the Indian state of West Bengal. He served as the Chief Minister in three separate governments in West Bengal, first in the Indian National Congress government from 1947 to 1948, secondly in the Progressive Democratic Alliance Front government from 1967 to 1968, and finally in a coalition government that was led by the Indian National Congress Party in the year 1971.

Early Life of Prafulla Chandra Ghosh
Dr. Prafulla Chandra Ghosh was born on 24th December, 1891 at Dacca or current day Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. He hailed from a Hindu- Yadav family. His parents Purna Chandra Ghosh and Binodini Devi were religious devout people. Pradulla Chandra had a rural upbringing in the remote village of Malikanda.

Education of Prafulla Chandra Ghosh
Prafulla Chandra Ghosh received his education from the Jagannath College and also earned high scholarship through his merit. He successfully completed his graduation from the University of Calcutta in Chemistry. In 1913, Prafulla graduated with Bachelors degree in Art and BSc in Chemistry. By 1916, he obtained his M.A and M. Sc degree in Chemistry.

Career of Prafulla Chandra Ghosh
After the completion of his higher education, Prafulla Chandra Ghosh got employed as a research scholar in Chemistry in the Dacca College, where he worked for around 2 years. Later, he was appointed to the Provincial Education Service. In 1919, Ghosh also served as a Professor in the Presidency College, Calcutta, modern day Kolkata, for a short period. Eventually he was recruited into the British Imperial Service and by January 1920, he started to work as the Deputy Assay Master of the Calcutta Mint. Prafulla Chandra Ghosh became the first Indian to be appointed in that designation. He received his Doctorate degree from the University of Calcutta in the year 1920, for the completion of his research on synthetic and natural dyes.

Political Career of Prafulla Chandra Ghosh
During his youth, Ghosh was allied with Dr. Suresh Chandra Banerjee in conducting political activities. The members of this organization were acknowledged workers who dedicated themselves to the cause of the Indian freedom struggle. The members became a part of the Non Cooperation movement on the suggestion of Mahatma Gandhi.

Dr. Prafulla Chandra Ghosh resigned from his job as the Deputy Assay Master of the Calcutta Mint and began the "Abhoy Ashram". In the year 1921, Dr. Ghosh conducted a volunteer corps and was consequently detained by the British Police. He was elected as the Secretary of the Provincial Congress Committee.

The Abhoy Ashram was a perfect model for other welfare organizations. It was unrivalled for its productive work in the area of village restoration and renovation, khadi propaganda, agricultural development, national education and medical assignments. This institution was the shining centre of constructive activities, but it was announced unauthorized and unlawful in the year 1932.

Dr. Prafulla Chandra Ghosh was appointed as the Secretary of the Civil Disobedience Council in 1930. He broke the Salt Law and was again arrested by the British Indian Police. As a result, he was sentenced to more than 2 years in prison. Ghosh was released after the signing of the Gandhi Irwin Pact.

Later Prafulla Chandra was elected the Chairman of the Indian National Congress, which was conducted at Calcutta. As the session of the Congress Party was declared against the law, he was again detained but was again jailed for another 6 months after his release. From the year 1934, Dr. Ghosh took several efforts to support and develop the village industries. The Abhoy Ashram, under his leadership, provided service to the victims of the flood devastations in East Bengal. Prafulla Chandra was elected the President of the West Bengal Relief Committee in the year 1936.

Prafulla Chandra Ghosh as Chief Minister
Prafulla Chandra Ghosh became the first Chief Minister of the Indian state of West Bengal after the withdrawal of the British rule and the attainment of national independence. His first appointment as the Chief Minister of West Bengal was on 15th August, 1947 and he served office till 14th January, 1948. He was succeeded by Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy.

Succeeding Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee, Prafulla Chandra Ghosh again became the Chief Minister of the state, and served from 2nd November, 1967 to 20th February, 1968. After this period, the state of Bengal was under the President`s Rule. Dr. Prafulla Chandra Ghosh was elected as the Chief Minister of West Bengal for a third and final time and served office from 2nd April, 1971 to 28th June, 1971.

Personal Life of Prafulla Chandra Ghosh
Prafulla Chandra Ghosh died in the year 1983 in Kolkata. His great- granddaughter is Priyanka Yoshikawa, who won the 2016 Miss World Japan contest.