The challenging situation that Raman faced when he started his experiments on light was the lack of modern equipment and resources. This was in the early 20th century, and India was still developing its scientific infrastructure.

Here's a breakdown:

* Limited Funding and Resources: Raman worked at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) in Kolkata, which was a relatively under-funded institution. He often had to rely on his own ingenuity and resourcefulness to build and modify his experimental setup.

* Lack of Advanced Equipment: Compared to laboratories in Europe and the US, Raman's lab lacked advanced equipment, such as powerful lasers and spectrometers, which would have made his work much easier. He had to make do with simpler and less sensitive instruments.

* Limited Access to Knowledge: Scientific communication was less efficient in those days. Access to international scientific journals and publications was limited, making it difficult for Raman to stay abreast of the latest advancements.

Despite these challenges, Raman's brilliance and dedication led him to make groundbreaking discoveries in the field of light scattering, eventually earning him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance and ingenuity in the face of adversity.