His father Ramlochan Ghose, was a renowned sub-judge of his times. Monomohun spent most of his childhood days with his father in Krishnanagar, West Bengal and was a student of Krishnanagar College. Monomouhan being a sharp, informed youth, participated in the ongoing indigo movement which took place in the mid 19th Century, Manomohun wrote a strong article opposing the indigo merchants, however that remain unpublished due to the untimely death of the editor. Later in 1861, when he enrolled in the Presidency College, he along with his friend Keshab Shunder Sen founded the Indian Mirror.

In 1862, he and Satyendranath Tagore were the first two Indians to sail to England to prepare for and appear in the Indian Civil Service examinations. The competition was one of the stiffest in the world at that time, but more so because any plan to cross the seas and travel to Europe was bound to meet with the strongest opposition from the Indian society. Preparations for the examination was tough, as they had to pick up many subjects not taught in India. Moreover, Ghose was subject to racial discrimination. Despite attempting the exam twice, he failed to succeed.

Monomohun Ghose was called to the bar from Lincoln’s Inn. After his call, Ghose returned to India in 1866 and started practising as a barrister in Calcutta High Court in 1867. He was the first Indian barrister to practice in Calcutta High Court. Although, Gnanendramohan Tagore was the first Indian to have been called to the bar in England in 1862, he never practised in Calcutta High Court and as such Ghose is considered the first practising Indian barrister.

His talents were immediately recognised and within a short period of time he made his mark as a criminal lawyer. In numerous cases he exposed the character of the British ruling elite and protected the subjects who were not guilty. Ghose was often subjected to mockery as he took on all the characteristics of an Anglicised Indian. Despite being close to the Tagore Family, who were leaders in upholding Indian culture and heritage while keeping their doors open to the world, he was inclined towards westernization. On return from England, his western inclination dictated him to put his wife in charge of the nuns at Loreto Convent, for her education. This western inclination was not only evident by their ideas but also by their looks as Swarnlata took to wearing gowns like English women and the couple looked as Anglicised Indians.

After being called to the English bar, Ghose returned to India in 1866. At that time his father died and he started practising as a barrister in Calcutta High Court in 1867. Ghose will long be remembered for his contributions towards the improvement of his countrymen, particularly in the field of women’s education, apart from donating the building of Krishnagar Collegiate School; Ghose had played a very important role in setting up a teacher’s training school in India during 1869 by Unitarian and social reformer Mary Carpenter. Ghose was very closely associated with Banga Maha Vidyalaya, the first liberal arts college for women which was established in India in 1872 by Annette Akroyd. He also played a leading role in the merging of Banga Mahila Vidyalaya with Bethune School, which later developed into a centre for higher studies where women could learn up to the postgraduate level.

When the Indian Association was established in 1876 he was one of the advisers. Numerous meetings with Surendranath Banerjee, Ananda Mohan Bose and others attending were held in his house. He was one of the founders of the Indian National Congress established in 1885 and was chairman of the reception committee of its session held at Kolkata in 1890. He fought hard for separation of the judiciary from the administration and wrote the book Administration of Justice in India. He fought the practice of child marriage and supported an 1891 bill requiring consent in marriage.

Right from 1869, he delivered speeches at various places arousing the patriotic feelings of his countrymen. Mano Mohan was an Barrister Monomohun Ghose effective speaker, though his oratory did not reach the level of his brother Lalmohan’s. In politics, he was a leader of the Moderates in Calcutta, and a supporter of Pherozshah Mehta. Post that he went to England in the 1880’s and lectured at various places enlightening people there about the state of affairs in his home country. The demise of Monomohun Ghose took place in Krishnanagar, West Bengal itself on the 16th of October 1896.