The West Bengal State Archives hold documents on some of the early leprosaria in the Bengal Presidency.

A catalogue with more information on these files can be accessed here (PDF, 15 pages).

Summary

The documents on the Albert Victor Asylum, Gobra extend from 1873 to 1908 and deal with funding, government support; buildings, accommodation, and repairs to buildings; appointments to the Committee to administer the asylum (its control and supervision); the appointments of medical officers and the provision for medicines; the establishment of the asylum under the Lepers Act of 1895 and 1898; and a change of site.

The documents on Asansol extend from 1904-1908 and deal with funding, implementation of the 1898 Act, and a proposal for removal to an alternative site.

The documents on Bankura extend from 1904-1908 and deal with funding and the provision of additional accommodation.

The documents on Bhagalpur extend from 1904-1908 and deal with funding and the implementation of the 1898 act.

The documents on the Raj Kumari Leprosy Asylum, Deoghar, extend from 1888 – 1907 and include an appeal to the native chiefs for financial assistance, arrangements for the management of a trust, the appointment of trustees and civil surgeons, information about the management of the asylum, and complaints regarding segregation of the sexes.

The documents on Lohardaga extend from 1886-1908 deal with funding, the supply of medicine, and the application of the act of 1895.

The documents on Muzaffarpur extend from 1904-1908 and deal with funding.

The documents on Puri extend from 1836 – 1907 and include an appeal to the native chiefs for subscriptions to establish an asylum, details on the establishment of the asylum, and arrangements for its funding for construction and its management.

The documents on Purulia extend from 1873-1907 and deal with construction, funding grants, application of the 1895 and 1898 acts, appointments to a management committee, responsibilities shared with the Mission To Lepers, and experiments with Rost’s Leprolin treatment.

The documents on the Raniganj Leprosy Asylum extend from 1889-1908 and deal with segregation of the sexes, funding, the appointment of medical officers, implementation of the 1898 act, and works.

Also included in this collection: "The Amendment of the Definition of Lepers" [Nov 1908]; the "Bill Regarding the Isolation of Lepers and the Amelioration of their Condition" [Mar 1890]; the "Bill to Provide for the Segregation of the Pauper Lepers and the Control of the Lepers following Certain Callings", and an "Opinion on the Segregation of the Pauper Lepers" [Jun 1897]; the "Amendment of the Lepers' Act so as to Provide for the Segregation and Medical Treatment in Asylums in British India of any Leper or any Class of Lepers from theTerritories of any Native Province or State in India" [Jun 1903].

Documents relating to the Extension of the Lepers' Act to the following are also included: Asansol; Bengal [Aug 1901]; Bhagalpur Leper Asylum [Nov 1908]; Burdwan and Bankura; Birbhum Districts [Feb 1906]

Extension of the Lepers Act to the Krishnagar Municipality [Jun 1907]; Purulia; Raniganj; and Sambhalpur.

There is also a copy of the Lepers’ Act V (BC) of 1895 directing the removal thereto of all lepers found within the limits of the Calcutta Municipality, the Cossipore-Chitpur Municipality, the Manicktola Municipaility, and within the Cantonment of Fort William [July 1895].

Entry updated January 2016