(Kashmir Rechords Desk)

^{_{A recipient of Padma Bhushan in 1977, Kailas Nath  Kaul had also served as Director for Gardens, Parks and Floriculture in Jammu and Kashmir in 1969. He worked on floral biodiversity conservation and the revitalization of Mughal-era gardens while serving as an advisor to the Chief Minister.}}

Kailas Nath Kaul, a distinguished Indian botanist, naturalist, agricultural scientist, horticulturist, herbalist, plant collector and herpetologist, was a world authority on Arecaceae. Born into a renowned Kashmiri family, Kaul made immense contributions to India’s scientific landscape, though his legacy remains little known within his own community.

He was the founder of India’s National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and served as its director from 1948 to 1965. Under his leadership, NBRI emerged as one of the world’s five leading botanical gardens, alongside those in Kew (UK), Bogor (Indonesia), Paris (France), and New York (USA).

Kashmiri Ancestry and Role in Kashmir

Kaul was deeply connected to Kashmir, both by lineage and through his scientific and administrative work. In 1969, he was appointed Director for Gardens, Parks, and Floriculture in Jammu and Kashmir, a role in which he dedicated himself to conserving the region’s floral biodiversity. He played a key role in the restoration of Kashmir’s Mughal-era gardens, ensuring their preservation for future generations.

His work in Kashmir also extended to scientific research on medicinal plants. In 1929, his study of Artemisia brevifolia, a medicinal plant native to Kashmir, led to a sixfold increase in the production of Santonin, an anthelmintic drug, making its large-scale manufacture economically viable in India.

Academic, Scientific Contributions

Kaul was the first Indian scientist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and collaborated with the Natural History Museum, London, as well as leading British universities, including the University of Cambridge.

His botanical expeditions spanned the entire Indian subcontinent, from the Karakoram mountains in the north to Kanyakumari in the south and from the North East Frontier Agency to the Rann of Kutch. He also helped develop botanical gardens in Sri Lanka, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, and the Philippines.

In recognition of his scientific achievements, he represented India at the International Botanical Congresses in Paris (1954), Montreal (1959), and Edinburgh (1964). He later became President of the Palaeobotanical Society of India (1968) and the first Vice Chancellor of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (1975).

Pioneering Discoveries, Innovations

• Water Conservation in the Thar Desert (1947): Kaul discovered freshwater aquifers in Jodhpur by analyzing vegetation patterns and well depths. Using aerial surveys with Maharaja Umaid Singh’s aircraft, he formulated a desert reclamation scheme, later organizing Rajasthan’s Underground Water Board (1949–50).
• Soil Reclamation (1953): He introduced the Banthra Formula, a pioneering technique for reclaiming alkaline land in Uttar Pradesh, significantly expanding cultivable land.
• Science Education (1948): As the architect of the Vigyan Mandir (School of Science) Scheme, later adopted by the Government of India, he promoted science education and research across India.

Role in India’s Freedom Struggle

Kaul actively participated in India’s independence movement. In 1930, he joined Gandhi’s cause and worked alongside Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan in rural development across Kohat, Bannu, and Peshawar.

During the Civil Disobedience Movement, he assisted Asaf Ali in mobilizing support in Delhi’s villages. In 1931, he was arrested for hoisting the flag of independence and sentenced to six months in jail, where he set up a school for lower-class prisoners.

Kaul also fought against untouchability, offering free education to Dalit children in Lucknow. His thesis on alkaline soils was confiscated by British authorities due to his nationalist activities.

Personal Life, Legacy

Kaul hailed from a prestigious Kashmiri family. His parents were Rajpati Kaul and Jawahar Mull Atal Kaul. His sister, Kamala Nehru, was the wife of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister. His wife, Sheila Kaul, was an educationist, social worker, and politician.

His circle of scientific and intellectual friends included:

• Frank Hawking (Stephen Hawking’s father)
• Sir Edward James Salisbury (British botanist)
• Birbal Sahni (Indian palaeobotanist)
• Arthur Cronquist (American botanist)
• René Dumont (French agronomist)

Among his non-scientific acquaintances were Todor Zhivkov (President of Bulgaria), A.J. Ayer (British philosopher), and Margaret Mee (botanical artist).

Awards,Recognition

Kaul was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 1977 for his immense contributions to Botany, agriculture, and scientific research.

Through his pioneering work in Kashmir and beyond, Kailas Nath Kaul remains an unsung hero of Indian science, blending tradition with modern research and leaving a lasting impact on India’s scientific and environmental landscape.