Medical education in Varanasi, the oldest living city of the world, dates from the days ofSushruta 500 BC. Infact this is   also the history of Medical education in India. The great treatise – ‘Sushruta Samhita’ is a living testimony of contributions   to Medical education that originated in Varanasi, Sushruta was the first to perform cadaver dissections and described a   number of operating instruments and surgical operations. Perhaps it is a continuation of this historical perspective that   Medical education in Banaras Hindu University took roots in 1920 with the establishment of Department of Ayurveda   under Faculty of Oriental Learning and Theology (1922-1927). Under the influence of Pandit Madan Mohan Malviyaji, Seth Mathuradas Vissanji Khimjiof Bombay donated a large some of Rs.1.5 Lacs for the Ayurvedic College. This was further augmented by donations from Shri Daya Shankar Dev Shankar Dave of Kathiawar and Bombay.