A descendant of Chattrapathi Shivaji, and one-time ruler of the kingdom of Tanjore, this scion of a warrior dynasty became an ardent champion of the arts, education and healthcare. When the British forced him to give up his throne in 1799, Serfoji turned the crisis into an opportunity by seeking the privilege to manage temples and choultries in the kingdom. By promoting social, cultural and educational activities on an unparalleled scale, he accomplished much more than what he would ever have done with just a title.

The Dhanvanthri Mahal, a medical research centre dedicated to the research and practice of the alternate systems of medicine of Siddha, Unani and Ayurveda became the nucleus of medical care in the State. He dispensed medicine in the Aushadha Kothadi (pharmaceutical godown) and had scholars to document prevalent health disorders with these medical practices. The result was the scholarly treatise Sarabendra Vaidya Muraigal that dealt with, among other things, diseases of the eye.Rajah Serfoji was known to carry boxes of medicines and surgical appliances with him even when he went on pilgrimage to Kashi (Benares). He not only treated various diseases, but also practised surgery. The successful removal of the cataract by the couching method that he advocated and practised as early as in the 18th Century was perhaps as stunning an achievement as those of his British and European counterparts of that era. But, Rajah Serfoji II never stepped on the world stage. His little known achievements were confined to books and manuscripts and paintings, and now preserved by his descendants in the Saraswathi Mahal Library in Thanjavur.

In September 2003, a meeting between Dr. Badrinath and Babaji Rajah Bhonsle, current Prince of Thanjavur and sixth descendant of King Serfoji II, revealed the existence of 200-year-old manuscripts in the Saraswathi Mahal library containing records of the eye operations conducted by Prince Serfoji II. That was in early 19th century when photographic techniques had not yet evolved. But that did not deter Rajah Serfoji. He commissioned artists to draw pictures of the eyes of his patients with their defects. He filed these charts with details of their age, occupation, date of admission and discharge. The method of surgery and post-operative treatment with the names of prescribed medicines were also recorded. Babaji Rajah Bhonsle described at length the work done by his ancestor. We were delighted to hear about this treasure house and made plans to visit the library with a historian and a photographer.

We felt that not only should this important discovery be conveyed to the ophthalmic community in India but the royal surgeon of Thanjavur deserved a place in the world community of physicians and surgeons.

In March 2004, three of us accompanied by archaeologist Dr. R. Nagaswami and the photographer examined the records in the Saraswathi Mahal Library and the Dhanavanthri Mahal where the former prince conducted his operations. (The hospital is now a school run by St. Peter’s Church.) It was a voyage of discovery. A medieval library serving as the nucleus of a range of activities in the fields of art, religion, history and literature. Along side was a wealth of material on judicial functions, social service and medicine. A scholar and visionary, Maharajah Serfoji may have belonged to a warrior race.

It was found from the Modi records that English ophthalmologist Dr. McBean was associated with the Eye Hospital of Dhanvantri Mahal. He was paid by the Company Rs. 4,000 towards his professional services.

Other questions will never be answered and will always remain a mystery because all instruments he used were all confiscated and lost. The hospital where he treated patients and performed operations is now a church.

Amazing contribution to medicine lies in 50 charts and manuscripts as evidence. They contain handwritten case histories (38 of these written in English) of the patients operated by King Serfoji. Starting with the diagnosis of the disease, these records contain minute personal details of the patients. The medical team from Sankara Netralaya was astonished to find ophthalmic terminology like “cornea, conjunctiva, capsule of the lens and posterior chamber”. In patients in the age group of five to 60 years, the most common condition was cataract and glaucoma. The status of their vision, and post-operative improvement were all carefully recorded. Medicines like silver nitrate, belladonna, chalk powder and peppermint water were used extensively. They also used leeches to reduce congestion and inflammation. Both Indian and European medicines were used. The significant part of these findings lies in some magnificent colour drawings of patients’ eyes before and after surgery. At a time when scanning and imaging were unknown factors, this prince of medicine made use of his own techniques to treat and cure people free of cost.

Will the world of modern medicine understand or appreciate Serfoji’s remarkable contribution to this field? With its own sophisticated and cutting edge techniques of surgery and disease treatment,will go in blind ears as done in past?

A record of the treatment done at the time of King Serfoji (1777-1832).

He may have sought no recognition or won no awards, but if one can find the time and pause to consider the vast humanity of his labour, one will understand the magnitude of his achievement. This humanity can be found in the simplest of his actions. At the end of every cataract operation, a patient received a reward of two rupees from the royal surgeon for having given him the privilege of restoring one more person’s vision!