Jagadishchandra began a new chapter
in his life at the age of nine. He had to leave his hometown. He went to the big city of
Calcutta for further education. He was admitted to Saint Xavier School there. There was a
world of difference between the previous school and this one. . In Faridpur he had studied
everything in his own language. But here in Calcutta his schoolmates knew only English.
The city boys, especially the English boys, teased him. One of them even hurt Jagadish
chandra in a bout of boxing. Jagadish was provoked and he taught the boy a well- deserved
lesson. That was the end of any teasing.
While he was studying at Saint Xavier's, Jagadishchandra was staying in
a boarding house. He had no friends and was lonely here. But he was a born scientist. Even
as a boy he had many hobbles which showed his scientific interest. He used to breed frogs
and fishes in a pond nearby. He would pull out a germinating plant and observe its root
system. He had also a number of pets like rabbits, squirrels and non-poisonous snakes.
Even in Calcutta he continued these hobbies to get over his solitude. He grew
flower-bearing plants and had animals and birds as pets. He did well in his studies and
was in the forefront. The teachers liked him for his intelligence. Jagadishchandra passed
the School Final Examination in the First Class.
He joined the B.A. class in the college. In those days, science
subjects formed a part of this course. He was most interested in Biology (the science of
life). But Father Lafont, a famous Professor of Physics, inspired in Bose a great interest
in the science of Physics and Bose became his favourite student. Even so, Bose was always
interested in any branch of science. Botany, the science of plants, still attracted him
much.