In this article, we have added the details of Satyendranath Tagore, who is the first ICS (Indian Civil Service) officer. So let us know all the interesting facts of the first civil servant of India. He was the first Indian to pass ICS. Read the complete article for more information.
First Indian Civil Service Officer
To begin with, many of you probably wanted to know, who is the first IAS officer in India? That’s the reason we have covered all the details of the first ICS officer in India. He was none other than Satyendranath Tagore. He is the older brother of Rabindranath Tagore.
Satyendranath Tagore was born on 1 June 1842, and he was the second oldest son of the family. Further, he is from the Jorasanko branch of the Tagore family of Calcutta. He learned Sanskrit and English at home. Talking about education, he studied at a Hindu school, and he was the first person to write an exam for the University of Calcutta in 1857. Satyendranath Tagore, placed in the first division, and he was admitted to Presidency College. Later, he got married at the very young age of 17 to Jnanadanandini Devi. His children are Surendranath Tagore and Indira Devi Choudhurani. Further, they had the experience of English life as children. His son had a great command over English and produced a condensed version of the main portion of Mahabharata in Bengali.
Satyendranath Tagore was not only the first Indian ICS officer; he was an author, song composer. Further, he also made a significant contribution towards the emancipation of women in Indian society.
Satyendranath Tagore Details
| Date of Birth | June 1, 1842 |
| Place of Birth | Calcutta (now Kolkata), India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Father’s Name | Debendranath Tagore |
| Famous Person in Family | Rabindranath Tagore (Nobel Laureate) |
| Date of Death | January 9, 1923 |
| Place of Death | Calcutta, India |
| Important Achievement | Became first Indian to crack Indian Civil Service |
| Associated With | Brahmo Samaj |
| Name of Wife | Jnanadanandini Devi |
| Other Important Connections | ● Mary Carpenter● Michael Madhusudan Dutta● Monomohun Ghose |
Note – If you want to know the complete details of the IAS exam and other related information, you can go through the official website.
Civil Service of Satyendranath Tagore
As already mentioned above, he is the first UPSC officer in India. During the 1750s, it was the time when the East India Company had been ruling over India. Further, aspirants were nominated by the company’s director; they were supposed to sign a “covenant of indenture.” It is the employment contract, and it is a bond backed by two guarantors. In the mid-nineteenth century, some posts finally opened for Indians. It was that time when a competitive examination was introduced for recruits. Then, the exam was conducted in England and compete with the British for a position. However, Satyendranath Tagore had the support of his friend Monomohun Ghose. Both of them went to England in 1862 to prepare themselves and write the civil service exam.
Satyendranath Tagore was selected as the first Indian Civil Service in June 1863 and he was the first civil servant of India. Further, he completed his probationary training and returned to India in November 1864. On the other hand, his friend Monomohun Ghose was not able to clear the exam. So then, he had been posted to the Bombay Presidency, and after a few months, he had been posted to Ahmedabad. Later, because of various posting in town, he traveled across the country. Further, it also made him stay away from the house, but his family members visited him and stayed with him for a long time.
Satyendranath Tagore Literature Works
Further, now we will try to understand some of his literary works as we have already mentioned he used to write as well. He comes from a family rich in the literature field; even he contributed to literature. Below we have listed some of his works,
- Sushila O Birsingha
- Bombay Chitra
- Bhartvarsiya Ingrej
- Amar Balykatha O Bombay Prabas
He got posted outside Bengal helped him to learn several Indian languages. He converted Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s Geetarahasya and Tukaram’s Abhang poems into Bengali. After retirement, he stayed for some time in Park Street and then Ballygunj in Calcutta. They used to discuss topics like The Bengali language and the Bengali character”, “The elements of poetry,” “Chivalry,” and “Love in women and men.
Brahmo Samaj
Ever since his childhood, he believed in the ideology of the Brahmo Swaraj and took active participation as well. Brahmo Samaj is the component of Brahmoism that rose out of the Bengal Renaissance. Satyendranath had deep regard for his father, and the religion took so much pain to develop. When he was in England, with his busy work, he made some time to preach the ideals of Brahmo Samaj. Further, when he got posted to Ahmedabad, he sent Brahmo Samaj to Max Muller.
Women’s Emancipation
Talking about the Women’s Emancipation, Ram Mohan Roy found women of Bengal called uneducated and illiterate, married before puberty, and cultural habit called sati. By the time Satyendranath was born sati had been banned. Further, the position of women in his society used to trouble him from a younger age. He used to think that the system in his family is from Muslim practices. When he visited England, he witnessed more freedom for women in Indian society. When he got married to Jnanadanandini Devi he found an ideal partner to fulfill his thinking and he was excited to see women in the advanced society.
Further, he sent his wife to England along with his English couple. It was a challenging task for her in those days to go to England with three children. They stayed with a family called Prasanna Coomar Tagore and later they shifted to Brighton. They returned to India in 1880. Then his sister oudamini Devi wrote, ‘The mocking we faced when we went out in the carriages is difficult to believe now.
Satyendranath Tagore Patrotism
Tagore family were strong Indian patriots. Although the Tagore family chose to wear Indian dress, it was the age when de rigueur to imitate Western dress habits and speak the English language in Indian high society. Further, Satyendra was associated with Hindu Mela; his purpose was to awaken this patriotism in the ordinary Indian people.. During the first session, he was away in western India. Later, during the second session in 1868, he was present. He composed the song mile sabe Bharat Santan, Ketan gaho gaan for the occasion. Back in India, he took his wife to Bombay, where she tried to live in the manner and style of the wives of the English officers of the ICS.
Conclusion
To conclude, in the article, you will find the details of India’s first Indian ICS officer/first civil servant. Further, you will find all the information of the first Indian to pass ICS. You will understand his journey from childhood to retirement. Along with being the first IAS officer, he was an author and a song composer. We have also added details of his literary work. It is interesting to know who is the first Indian Civil Service Officer and how he made it possible. One must take inspiration from Satyendranath Tagore, and he was able to achieve his goals. Today, we have seen many IAS officers and their struggles. Every year, lakhs of students apply for the exam, but only a few will be able to clear the exam. Further, you can go for coaching or study on your own. But, your hard work is the most important.
Besides, it completely depends on us, how we will be able to clear the exam and make dreams count. Work hard and put all your efforts to clear the exam. IAS exam is one of the toughest exams present in India and also it is the most respected job in India. Besides, the syllabus of the IAS exam is vast. We have covered all the information of the IAS exam, you will find details of the exam syllabus, pattern, books, tips, and other information. Read More. Then, we wish you good luck with your exams.
FAQs
Lastly, look at a few FAQs
The first civil servant of India is Satyendranath Tagore.
On 26 January 1950, the first time the IAS exam was held.
Talking about the ICS salary is Rs. 56,100 and can go on to reach Rs. 2,500,00
Editor’s Note | Satyendranath Tagore
In summary, in the article, you will find the complete details of the first Indian ICS officer. Satyendranath Tagore was the first Indian to pass ICS (Indian Civil Service Officer). Please read the complete article for the complete details of Satyendranath Tagore’s wife, children, and literary work. Also, understand how he became the first Indian to pass ICS. We all know that the IAS exam is the toughest, and it requires hard work and special efforts. But, it doesn’t mean you cannot clear the exam; it is possible with all your efforts. To help you with the exam preparations above, we have provided the necessary links to help you with the exam. Satyendranath Tagore is the first Indian to pass ICS; even you can become the next ICS officer. Lastly, we wish you best wishes for the exam.
