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Prof. V. V. Narlikar

Portrait: Gujarati Vishwakosh

BSc alumnus, Royal Institute of Science · Class of 1928

Prof. V. V. Narlikar

Physicist, Mathematician and Relativity Scholar

Banaras Hindu University and University of Poona

Vishnu Vasudev Narlikar was among the earliest Indian scholars to build a sustained research tradition in general relativity. An outstanding Royal Institute student and Cambridge mathematician, he spent much of his career developing mathematics at Banaras Hindu University.

1908-1991 General relativity and mathematics

Bombay and the Royal Institute

Born in Kolhapur, Narlikar studied at Rajaram High School before moving to Bombay. He attended Elphinstone College and the Royal Institute of Science, completed his BSc in 1928 and stood first in the University of Bombay examination.

Cambridge distinction

At Fitzwilliam House, Cambridge, Narlikar completed the Mathematical Tripos in 1930 as a Star Wrangler. He received the Rayleigh Prize and Isaac Newton Studentship and pursued mathematical research in Einstein's theory of relativity.

Academic leadership in India

Narlikar returned to India in 1932 to become Professor and Head of Mathematics at Banaras Hindu University at the age of 24. He later chaired the Rajasthan Public Service Commission and continued teaching at the University of Poona.

Legacy

Through research, teaching and mentorship, Narlikar helped establish general relativity as a serious field of study in India. His students and academic family carried that tradition into later work in gravitation, cosmology and mathematical physics.

Chronology

Selected milestones

  1. 1928

    Royal Institute BSc

    Placed first in the University of Bombay BSc examination.

  2. 1930

    Cambridge Tripos

    Completed the Mathematical Tripos as a Star Wrangler.

  3. 1931

    Royal Astronomical Society

    Was elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.

  4. 1932

    Banaras Hindu University

    Became Professor and Head of Mathematics.

  5. 1981-82

    Indian Mathematical Society

    Served as President of the Indian Mathematical Society.

Sources and further reading

This profile is a concise institutional biography based on the referenced public sources.

V. V. Narlikar - Wikipedia Two Early Relativists and Their Legacies - Bhavana Gujarati Vishwakosh biography