Anatomy and Empire: The Influence of Anatomical Research on Medical Practice and Public Health in British India.

Original Article, 2025, Volume -1, Issue -1, Page No 80-88

Arshad Khan, Department og Anatomy, GMC, HR

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Abstract This research explores the profound influence of anatomical research on medical practice and public health initiatives within the context of British India. During the colonial era, British medical officers and institutions embarked on extensive anatomical studies, driven by both scientific curiosity and the pragmatic needs of maintaining imperial control and improving the health of both European and indigenous populations. This abstract investigates how these anatomical investigations, ranging from cadaveric dissection to the establishment of anatomical schools, fundamentally reshaped medical education and clinical approaches in India. The study will particularly focus on how anatomical knowledge informed the understanding and treatment of prevalent diseases, surgical advancements, and the implementation of public health measures aimed at controlling epidemics and improving sanitation. Furthermore, it will analyze the socio-cultural implications of these anatomical practices, including the engagement with local populations for cadaver procurement and the transfer of Western medical concepts into diverse indigenous medical systems. By examining archival records, medical treatises, and historical accounts, this research aims to illuminate the complex interplay between scientific pursuit, colonial administration, and the evolving landscape of healthcare in British India, demonstrating how anatomical research served as a crucial pillar in the edifice of imperial medicine and its lasting legacy on the subcontinent's health infrastructure.