Author Description

Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis (1893-1972) pioneered the use of statistics in India, helping to found the Indian Statistical Institute, the Central Statistical Organization, and the National Sample Survey. He built the statistical database of the Indian economy, inspired research in quantitativeeconomics, and was the architect of the Second Five Year Plan. Also, as illustrated in this detailed biography, Professor Mahalanobis took much interest in disciplines beyond his own field: anthropology, demography, psychology, literature, and education. He was a close friend to Rabindranath Tagore,and was at one time a secretary for Vishwa Bharati. This book offers an unprecedented and complete portrait of the man, fully depicting his genius and his shortcomings, his gifts and his arrogance.