1974 CE · science technology
Smiling Buddha (Pokhran-I)
On 18 May 1974, India conducted its first underground nuclear explosion at the Pokhran test range in Rajasthan. The government described it as a peaceful nuclear explosion. The test took place during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's tenure; Homi N. Sethna was Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, Raja Ramanna was Director of BARC and played a pivotal role in the experiment, and R. Chidambaram worked on the implosion design of the device.
Sources and further reading
- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre — Former Directors and Nuclear Programme Leaders
- BARC Newsletter — Raja Ramanna and the 18 May 1974 Pokhran Peaceful Nuclear Explosion
- Ministry of External Affairs — India Foreign Relations 2007
- Department of Atomic Energy — Birth Centenary of Dr. Homi N. Sethna
- Press Information Bureau — New India Samachar: India's First Nuclear Test on 18 May 1974