Charles Stewart Thompson

Dr. Charles Stewart Thompson (1851-1900 was the first medical missionary to Kherwara Chhaoniin Rajputana, the Bhils region of Central India. His schools, famine relief centres and medical service transformed care in the region.

He was accepted as a missionary by the Church Missionary Society (CMS) and in June 1880 he was ordained a deacon, in October ordained as a priest

He was a doctor, reverend, translator and philanthropist who worked to treat cholera. leprosy, the Bubonic plague, ophthalmia, malaria rheumatism and fever.

It took him nearly 10 years to achieve his first convert. It was said that many of his Bhil students were Christian at heart but none had the courage to be baptized for fear of social ostracism. On 15th December 1889 Sukha Damor, his wife and their 4 children were baptized. Others followed. He eventually pioneered Christianity in 7 districts.

In 1896, after 15 years, he took a furlough. He had established primary schools, dispensaries, relief centres and orphanages. He had also translated and published the Gospel, the first grammar and vocabulary book and a prayer book into the Bhili language.

While in the UK he desperately attempted to persuade the CMS to send more doctors and nurses.

In 1899 he heard about the terrible Chappania Famine afflicting the Bhil region. and returned to India. The men had fled leaving only women and children who were starving. He took matters into his own hands -he set up 7 relief centres - feeding 700 Bhili children and some adults. He set up an orphanage. By April 1900 he had opened 15 relief centres and was feeding 5,500 children, twice daily who would have been either dead or starving.

In May 1900 he fell ill with cholera. The Bhil people tried to get him European Aid. He died on May 19th at noon, under a tree.

On his death he became a source of inspiration. He was acclaimed as the founding father who had laid down his life for the salvation of the Bhil. Many volunteers came forward to help with the Bhil mission. In Kherwara there is school named in his memory - The Thompson Memorial School.

Charles spent nearly 20 years living, working, and ultimately dedicating his life to the plight of the Bhils.