Role of Dharwad in the Socio Economic Reconstruction of North 1

CMDR Monograph Series No. - 16

ROLE OF DHARWAD IN THE SOCIO ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION OF NORTH KARNATAKA

Dr. ANIL MUDBIDRI Professor & Chairman, Dept. of Sociology, Karnataka University, Dharwad.

CENTRE FOR MULTI-DISCIPLINARY DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH Jubilee Circle, DHARWAD-580001, Karnataka, Ph : 091-0836-447639, Fax : 447627 E-mail : [email protected] 2 CMDR Monograph Series No. - 16

PREFACE The Centre for Multi-disciplinary period from 1818 onwards was India Development Research (CMDR) is a social revealing that the town where CMDR is r science research institute in a moffusil area located has played during the British a of Karnataka and is sponsored by the Indian significant role in the socio economic Council of Social Science Research reconstruction of North Karnataka. It also (ICSSR), New Delhi. The Centre aims at arouses thinking in the minds of the residents undertaking analytical studies of conceptual of Dharwad as to whether the town is and policy significance on the socio- planning a same role in the present period economic and cultural issues using multi- and can play a more effective role in the disciplinary perspectives and micro level future. In the background of the emphasizes information. on bottom up approach in development, the role of the which micro region in the over all As a part of its publication development of bigger geographical region programme the Centre has initiated a needs to be appreciated. It is in this CMDR Monograph Series and also background that the idea of growth of publications based upon the research Centres, district planning, decentralised studies completed at the Centre. decision making under the geographical We are happy to present the 16th senses also need to be appreciated. The in the monograph series of entitled “The role monograph based upon the text of lecture of Dharwad in the Socio Economic delivered by Dr. Mudbidri in a symposium Reconstruction of North Karnataka : A organised jointly by the Karnataka Historical Historical Perspective”. This monograph Research Society and Centre for Multi- has been written by Dr. Anil G. Mudbidiri. Disciplinary Development Research. We This study brings out clearly the role of one are quite thankful to Dr. Mudbidri for this of the important towns of North Karnataka monograph. The Centre invites comments in the Socio Economic Development of the and suggestions from readers of this Region. It presents an account the monograph. contribution of this town during the British

P.R. Panchamukhi, Professor and Director. CMDR. Dharwad Role of Dharwad in the Socio Economic Reconstruction of North Karnataka 3

ROLE OF DHARWAD IN THE SOCIO ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION OF NORTH KARNATAKA

Dr. ANIL MUDBIDRI Professor & Chairman, Dept. of Sociology, Karnataka University, Dharwad.

Urbanization was one of the major of trade, transport and communication which issues in the programme of consolidation of provided necessary administrative support. the empire during the later British period. It was almost during this time that the British The British were urban oriented and their were themselves experiencing the fruitss of influence could be felt mainly in the urban industrial - urban expansion at home. The context. Their influence in the hinterland was citizen India began to experience vast felt in the region in the proximity of the towns changes in their institutional structure as new and cities. For extending and consolidating values and interests gained ascendency. The their authority in an alient soil and city became the centre of diffusion at western geographical territory, cities were their base ways. The city, according to kingsley Davis of action. In India the British centred their is where social change began in India.2 It influence first on the coastal cities and later was in the urban areas that one could find moved to the hinterland for maintaining and specialisation, talent and organisation integrating their authority and administrative necessary for executing new ideas. The city structure and also for securing economic became the home for the emergence of bases for their power. The colonial cities powerful mercantile class. The colonial became the focii for the European powers towns and cities left a definite impress on to develop their economy and power and the hinterland. maintain a ‘head link’ with their mother The British arrived in Dharwad in country. This was so in all colonial countries. 1818 after the Treaty of Poona, which led As Flanagen observes: “The colonial city to the abdication of the Peshwa. The British developed as a centre of commerce and became the masters of a large territory which administration, rather than industrial was once ruled by the Marathas. the area production. It originated as a means in the South came to be designated as the whereby the metropolitan rulers established Southern Maratha Country, or the Dharwad a base for the administration of the Collectorate. It was only later decades of countryside.” the nineteenth century that separate Districts In India, the British could introduce such as Sholapur, Kaladgi (Bijapur), several developmental changes in the sphere Karwar etc were carved out for purposes 4 CMDR Monograph Series No. - 16 of better administration. The most and land assessment. The trade began to importance administrative capital of the show a great improvement. Dharwad Collectorate was the town of Dharwad. Apart from the British The peasants who had migrated to administrative functionaries, the town also other areas due to the uncertain conditions had the representatives of ‘Native’ princes, were encouraged to return back to their such as the Vakils who represented the lands and cultivate them. The currency was Chiefs of Sangi, Miraj, Gajendragad, regularised. These developments boosted Mudhol, etc and also the representative of trade and commerce. Agriculture was the Chatrapati of Kolhapur. From this we stimulated due to several measures that the can surmise the influence Dharwad had on British undertook. With the increase in the region. Thus decisions taken in Dharwad trading activity a class of merchants became had a far reaching effect on the sorrounding the fulcrum of the new trading ventures and territory. The town became the centre of assumed positions of importance in the life the socio economic reconstruction of the and activities of town. region. The British as an alien power had The conditions which prevailed in no direct links with the peasants, and the the region before the arrival of the british relationship between the two was mediated were by no means encouraging. The through a class of landed gentry who were frequent was between the Marathas and the loyal to them and upon they could depend upon as a medium to transmit the innovations internacine quarrels between the various 3 Chiefs had brought about the considerable that they desired to introduce in the region deterioration of economic conditions. One of the first measures Frequent taxes had been collected to raise undertaken by the British was the assessment funds, crops had been destroyed by the last and survey of land. They introduced the days of the Peshwa conditions of raiatwari system. The ryots who had fled uncertainity prevailed. Trade and commerce to the Mysore territory due to oppression had been severely handicapped. and uncertainity were induced to come It was the British who first made back. The commencement of the survey of efforts to improve the infrastructure which land was done in accordance with the authorisation of the court of Directors in was needed to strengthen the economy. Less 4 than a decade after the arrival of the British, 1822. The Collector Thackeray efforts were made to bring about immediately began to get the land near improvement in communication, as sound Dharwad surveyed. system of administration, revenue collection The system of communication, prior Role of Dharwad in the Socio Economic Reconstruction of North Karnataka 5 to the arrival of the British, existed only for conducted his experiments till 1836 and the the transportation of the armies. There were work was later continued by Mr. Shearer, no proper roads until then. Only pack an American planter who tried out a hardy bullocks could be used. However, the American strain quite successfully. Under British improved the roads thereby giving a these circumstances the cotton grown in the fillip to trade. Many of these roads were vicinity of Dharwad was harvested and even constructed on the appeals made by Cpt. exported to Chaina. The Dharwad cotton Wingate.5 by the middle of the ninteenth received praise from the Cantonese century Dharwad was well connected even merchants.6 The Collector Mr. A.N. Shaw upto the western coast and had ten good also took keen interest in cotton cultivation. lanes of traffic. In 1840, Cpt. Bayles of the Madras The improvement in roads and army, who had been sent to America, agriculture was further supported by a long returned with ten planters who were skilled period of peace and stability. Under these in the growth and preparation of cotton. circumstances the British began introduce These American planters were sent to new modes of farming, improved seeds and different areas of the presidency to test the new farming implements. Perhaps one of suitability of the soil.7 Three of these Planters the most important decisions taken for giving were stationed in Bombay to look after the a fillip to the local economy was the experiments in Dharwad and Khandah. introduction of cotton and silk cultivation. Cpt. Bayles brought new seeds, agricultural implements, cotton ginsand presses. One Mr. Randall, an authority on cotton, among these planters, Mr. Mercer found opined that the Southern Maratha Country, after an initial survey that the soil around with its black soil, was ideal for the growth Dharwad was extremely suitably for the of cotton. He began to persuade the local growth of American cotton.8 Mercer farmers to switch over the cultivation of immediately proceeded to reserve 25 to 50 cotton. In 1819 he even offered rewards acres to form an experimental farm. Cotton of 50 pagodas or a gold chain to any farmer cultivation thus began to make rapid could cultivate good quality cotton. progress. It was estimated that, after all the Thackerat, the Collector of Dharwad, disadvantages, expenses etc., a clear profits invited tenders to encourage the merchants of Rs. 56 per acre could be had. The to trade with Government in cotton. Government issued orders to Mr. Barber The court of Directors in 1829 gave that a further 200 acres should be released orders for growing cotton and sent Dr. Lush to Mr. Mercer for growing cotton. For this a scientist to conduct experiments with purpose 48 bags of American cotton seeds cotton seeds in Dharwad in 1830. Dr. Lush were sent to Dharwad. By September 6 CMDR Monograph Series No. - 16

1843 five Ginning houses were established became popular, the experimental farms for clearing cotton. By the following year were abolished. The acreage under cotton the Collector was prepared to pay Rs. 300 cultivation steadily grew and brought and for the purchase of New Orleans seed and brought prosperity to the people. distribute it to the ryots in Dharwad taluka.10 The Collector observed : “The New Cotton came to be exported by the Orleans cottong have exceeded my merchants of Dharwad to distant Karwar sanguine expectations ... the cleaned cotton and Kumta ports. It was for this reason it is selling higher in the Bazar than was found that the Dharwad farmers were expected...”. As the cotton cultivation began more prosperous than those in the other to expand on a large scale, the Collector parts of Deccan. asked for an Engineer to help in setting up Towards the end of the ninteenth gins. The success of the experiment century different strains of cotton such a prompted the Government to send six more Mexican, Nanking or Khaki coloured cotton gins to Dharwad. were also introduced. It was discovered The Collector asked for permission that the seeds acclaimatised to the Dharwad to a Committee, consisting of the Collector, climate yielded better results in soils an American gentlemen and few Indians to elsewhere in the presidency than the defect distribute awards for those ryots who had sowing of imported seeds.11 Dharwad successfully grown cotton on more than 25 therefore, became a place for the distribution acres. The rewards were to consist of Rs. of cotton seeds, especially to Broach and 100, Rs. 70 and two of Rs. 50 each. He Ahmedabad.12 observed that the American cotton was The attempt to grow silk was so much better and superior to the local variety successful that a few packages were then grown. The Collector obtained dispatched to England where they received permission to start two more farms at Gadag fair acclaim. In 1842 nearly 400 pounds of and Saundatti which were to become centres silk was produced. It was estimated that for seed distribution. there were 200 mulberry trees and 24,000 Cotton thus became very popular bushes in the taluka. The people were in the Dharwad taluka and in other areas of successful in obtaining 272 pounds, while Southern Maratha country. During the the prisoners in the jail produced another season commencing in 1845, 1000 acreas 144 pounds during that year. After Mr. were sown with American cotton at Rs. 2 Baverm the next Collector Mr. Mackenzie per acre, the rent of the land and the payment took keen interest. The Dharwad silk was for the labour for picking was paid by the for some time exported to Glasgow, London Government. As the cotton cultivation and France. When making a choice for Role of Dharwad in the Socio Economic Reconstruction of North Karnataka 7 mulberry cultivation and production of silk Government, that transaction of ordinary on a large scale the authorities decided upon official business should be discontinued as Dharwad in preference to Calcutta. With far as possible on Sundays”.15 this success the British introduced the tasar Prior to the arrival of the British, variety in 1876.14 However, it is to be noted that due to a variety of circumstances, the there were in existence several types of silk industry did not make much progress. currencies, each of which had different value This may have been primarily due to the pre in different territories. The British introduced occupation of the British with the cultivation a common currency system thereby of cotton. Also a major hurdle was the lack eliminating this confusion and the of water supply as Dharwad experienced reconstruction on trade. The standard long periods of water shortage on account currency of the British stimulated trade. of scanty monsoons. May of the mulberry The Dharwad market became the imported began to dry up. chief market for the produce of nearly 136 Mr. Barbar also made attempts to villages. More and more cultivation of land, bring in fruit cultivation. He encouraged the both for garden crops and dry crops came inhabitants to cultivate apple trees and other to be taken up. Jowar, the staple crop in vegetables not popularly known in this the taluka which was sold at 51 seers for a region. Some of the ruit trees began to yield rupee between 1843 and 1845 in the a good crop. As an incentive he announced Dharwad market. Again, it was sold at 72 that those who planted 1000 fruit trees seers per rupee in 1851. As more lands would be exempted from land tax. Thus were cultivated the prices of many other many of the prominent citizens who had essential commodities came down. farms on the outskirts of Dharwad In 1852 the British turned their immediately sought permission to plant attention to yet another field which they felt mango, chickoo black grapes and apple needed to be encouraged. They began to trees. identify the different types of workmanship Under these conditions trade began and artifacts available in Dharwad to pick up considerably. The weight and Collectorate. The authorities felt that by measures were regularised and a uniform exhibiting these artifacts more interest should system was introduced all over the Southern be created among the people to encourage Maratha Country. Also a Notification was to purchase them. A Committee was issued in 1845 that the market and the formed to collect the artifacts. The Government offices in the Collectorate authorities noted that : “The goldsmiths, would remain closed on Sundays “ because sculptors, tailors and blacksmiths and other it was proper and desirable under a Christian artists of this country are able to make very 8 CMDR Monograph Series No. - 16 nice and really superior articles, but they are implements and kindle an interest for better none ready to purchase them, they do not and more extensive cultivation of land by prepare them unless they are ordered to the people. Since the Dharwad agriculturists prepare any particular article.16 and artisans were intelligent and resourceful, the authorities felt that they could be induced The experience of the Committee to try out the new agricultural implements formed to collect the artifacts was that the as that they would set an example for the traditional artisans were not too keen on rest of the agriculturists in the Collectorate. sending their exhibits to distant lands. It was with this intention that the authorities However, the committee persuaded them to were finally able to hold an exhibition which contribute to the collection being made by led to the setting up an experimental farm them and finally an exhibition was arranged nearby Dharwad in 1873. in 1953 in order to create an interest among the people for the purchase of local artifact. In many 1873, Mr. E.P. Robertson the Collector asked the Government for the In the field of agriculture, the British sanction of land for starting an experimental observed that the local farmers needed to farm at Navalur and Lakmanhalli in the be encouraged to make more modern vicinity of Dharwad. The farm began with implements. Hence, they organised an only 77 acres and was later extended to 200 industrial exhibition. The exhibition was acres. The Government sent Mr. Shearer proposed to be held in Dharwad on 15 as the Superintent of the new farm was to September 1857 and the Government be a model for the native agriculture.18 sanctioned Rs. 2,200. However, this programme was suddenly interrupted by the The experimental farm yielded a fine outbreak of the Mutiny. The authorities crop of sugarcane, a crop which the local therefore had to again revive the plans two agriculturists had attempted to row but had years later in 1859. The ultimate aim and failed. Similarly safflower was also purpose of the exhibition was started by the introduced, which was hitherto not known Collector: “As soon as so useful and in the region. Many types of new vegetables attractive museum has been opened and has were cultivated. The farm raised interested the public eye, it may be hoped successfully many new crops which gave that, the inhabitants of the station and the confidence for the local agriculturists and they province of Dharwad would cherish what felt encouraged to try them out on their own the Government authorities had lands. In 1873, the farm also introduced a commenced.” new type of plough which had several advantages over the wooden plough which Thus the Government made efforts was then popularly used. This new plough to introduce the use of modern mechanical was accredited to have been invented by Role of Dharwad in the Socio Economic Reconstruction of North Karnataka 9 the Marquis of Tweedale (a former Governor chief articles sold were jowar, rice, wheat, of Madras) and was sent out by him through gram, sweetmeats, sugar, spices and betel the Secretary of State.19 nuts as also cloth, gold and silver ornaments, brass vessels etc. By 1879 arable land in Dharwad had been cultivated instead of being kept The Dharwad market at one time under grasses, Now only waste lands were was also well known for its breed of ponies set aside for cattle grazing. IN 1857 the but during the later decades the breed of land in the vicinity of Dharwad town had horses had considerably deteriorated been covered by thick forests with instance because the best horses had been picked of jackals even entering houses. There were by British Officers. A large number of elephants and leapords in the forests, but horses were taken away by the British army by the end of the country the forest cover for the persian and Abssinian campaign. had given way to agricultural lands. What was left was purchased for the mail cart service and only the inferior breed were The American Civil War further sold in the market. However, the sale of created a fillip to cotton growth. It was horses completely stopped as the more of reported that large sums of money began to conveyance changed. pour into the market and people began to purchase houses and lands. The price of In 1876 a joint Stock Company these commodities to rise. was formed at Dharwad. Its chief aim was to export and import cloth of various types. The sale of cotton as the single It was registered under the name of largest commodity had brought prosperity “Dharwar company” and was started by a to the region. Between 1962 and 1865 it group of enterprising Dharwad traders with was reported that no less than Rs. a capital of Rs. 11,875, divided into 475 1,17,50,000 were amassed by the growers 20 shares of Rs. 25 each. The Company did and dealers in cotton. The ryots gradually brisk business and gradually increased its came to be freed from debts, and began to share to 1600 and advanced its capital to accumulate wealth. Traders were benefited Rs. 40,000 by 1883.25 The company began by a sustained demand and a plentiful to import cloth from Bombay, Beneras, supply, the laboures were in constant Bangalore and other distant places. It also demand the wages began to rise and there sold imported European printed cloth. The was continuos employment. Much of the company opened a branch in 1877, whose produce was consumed in the Dharwad affairs were managed by four of the directors market itself and the total sale value for one with an agent in each of the shops at Hubli day alone accounted for Rs. 49,650. The and Dharwad. 10 CMDR Monograph Series No. - 16

However, a sudden blow was The result of better means of wrought by a severe famine of the 19th communication, contact with distant places century. The famine of 1877-78 stalked the and a proliferation of prosperous merchants Southern Maratha Country taking a heavy brought about considerable improvement in toll of life. The poorer classes were the most the Dharwad market. Goods which were affected. The poor had to part with once sold in the old town was not sufficient whatever little gold and silver ornaments they for purposes of trade. A new extensive had accumulated during better off did not market was constructed towards the west. feel the impact of famine immediately due The Dharwad Municipality constructed the to the accumulated stock in the market. It Robertson Market on the banks of the was during the second year that the severity Kalgeri tank or Moti ralao. of the famine affected all classes of people. As the capacity for purchasing new People began to pawn not only ornaments commodities sinceraised with the people, the but even clothes. Such was the severity that traders began to import new articles of use. it is said that a pawn broker jocularly Many articles came from Bombay such as remarked to the effect that the famine should flassware, candles, lamps, carpets, utensils continue a little longer or visited with etc. Most traders purchased these from the regularity.23 Dharwad market and re-sold then in the To counter the ill effects of famine interior and other small towns. It is said that to forestall any such occurrence in future the caps from Europe wherein grand demand British immediately set about constructing a in the local market. Other articles such as railway in 1979. The railway further matches, kerosene, stationery, clocks, contributed to the stainility of the region. expensive liquor, cultery and cloth were in Trade and commerce which were disrupted great demand. by sever camine was again revised. However, the aftermath of the famine was However, these changes also had perceived in inflation and rise in the prices some of its own consequences. While the of commodities. upper classes benefited by the variety of articles they could buy, it had hard the native The town of Dharwad which had a artisans. Local manufacture being unable branch of the Bank of Bombay opened in to compete with the superior imported 1863 was closed won in 1878 as the articles began to suffer. Dharwad which had merchants took the aid of native bankers 78 cloth and 27 wooden looms was unable who granted “Hindduis” for an amount up to compete with the imported cloth, as they to Rs. 5,10,000 at places like Bombay, had no buyers. In fact, the effects of Poona, Madras, Bellary, Bangalore, Kumta imported commodities on the local produce and Karwar.24 was quite market as early as 1860s. So Role of Dharwad in the Socio Economic Reconstruction of North Karnataka 11 much so that many indegenous industries the reform iniriated by Raja Ram Mohan Roy began to suffer, such as for example, the and others in the nineteenth century. native paper manufactures of Shahpur who were once prosperous in the 1820s were In India, enforced widowhood and completely ruined. Such was the extent that Sati were two of the most henious crimes when Sir P. Wodehouse, the Governor of perpetrated on Indian women and social Bombay visited Dharwad many of the local reformers had taken cognizance of it. The citizens appealed to him in a Memorandum result was the abolition of Sati in 1829. to stem the discontentment among local However, the plight of widows was an issues artisans and revive some of the local which could not be tackled immediately due industries as also help those who had been to the prevalence of traditions and customs ruined doe to a loss in their heridatory caste and the strong sentiments of the people all based industries. over the country. The British had to mobilised sufficient public opinion before Thus improvement in economy they could eventually pass the widow brought in its wake prosperity and mistry. Remarriage Act towards the end of the However, one cannot fail to notice that a nineteenth century. general change had been brought about by improvements in agriculture, trade and It was specifically the educated commerce in the region. Dharwad being class which took an interest in ameliorative one of the chief markets of the collectorate, measures in order to rid the traditional Hindu it cannot be denied that what happened in society of many of its repungent social the entire collectorate was reflected in the customs. The new elite campaigned against economy of Dharwad and vice versa. rituals, superstition and ignorance. They never had any doubt of the soundness of SOCIAL RECONSTRUCTION : the Hindu religion. their main aim was to transform some of the traditional values of The changes brought about by the Indian society so as to bring it closer to economic prosperity and the spread of modern thinking. One may perceive a Western education also had an impact on distinct movement for social reform in North the life style and thinking of the people. One Karnataka during the nineteenth century with of the benefits of education being rational Dharwad town as its base. thinking and concern for other, one may perceive that the impact of education was The question of widow remarriage the rise of an educated class of native gentry and the prohibition of infant marriages, as a who began to take a keen interest in social logical extension of the prohibition of Sati, reform. this is a trend one may see in other engaged the attention of both British officials parts of the country too, such as for, example and educated Indians. the British began to 12 CMDR Monograph Series No. - 16 consult many eminent Indians for their ... I must candidly state that my most humble opinions. In 1837, the principal Sadar individual opinion is, that it would be highly Ameen (Native Judge) of Dharwad, Parsi desirable. Tho’ a great proportion of the Venkat Rao was consulted. Parsi higher castes of Hindoos may now consider Venkarrao immediately wrote back to the such a measure an innovation.... they may Government that the Government ought to consequently oppose and be a very unwilling take positive steps in making it possible for to express their approbation .... yet I think widows, especially virgin widows, to that several sensible individuals approve of remarry.25 Venkatrao recounted various the measure.”27 These remarks coming from examples to show the miserable life led by an educated Indian in 1837 were indeed Hindu widows who were considered in praiseworthy and quite revolutionary. auspicious and relegated to cloistered life. While forwarding the Report The judge pointed out some cases where submitted by Parsi Venkat Rao, the British young widows were led astray and a were Judge Mr. Shaw observed: “..... I wish all forced into immoral life by unscroupopous the hindoos could see the matter in the same male relatives and the harsh consequences light, but I doubt it much...” Similarly Mr. society meted to them. Le Geyt, the Collector opined: “I have In this report submitted to the Law forwarded the original sent by this talented Commission, Parsi Venkat Rao wrote thus : and respectable functionary as a Specimen “... widows are treaded with contempt and of the opinion of an enlightened and well scorn. The apprehension of such a state may educated Brahmin and who has the real be one reason, why so many females have advantage of this countrymen much at heart offered to immolate themselves with their and the good sense to perceive and departed husbands... than to suffer advocate the true path to it.” The Secretary immediate miseries with relations and to Law Commission again wrote to Parsi friends.”26 Venkat Rao seeking clarifications on some aspects of Hindu Law, inheritance, and the Venkat Rao abhorred also the prevalence of widow remarriage among the system of child marriages which he observed poorer sections of society. were the main cause of virgin widows. He felt that widow remarriage was a justifiable Venkatrao’s opinions were far in act and a logical measure to be taken after advance of his countrymen and this is fully the prohibition of the Sati system. In his brought out in the letter by Rev. Beynon, Report the Judge further observed that the well known educationist and missionary though widow remarriages were prevalent from , who wrote in 1846. “Have among the lower castes, the practice was you seen that the subject of the remarriage generally not favored. He further notes: “ of widows has been proposed by a member Role of Dharwad in the Socio Economic Reconstruction of North Karnataka 13 of the Dharma Sabha of Bengal? Some of Raja Sir R. Madhavarao, Dewan Bahdur the papers speak highly of the advancement Raghunath Rao, Chanchala Rao and others made by the native gentleman who made from the neighboring Madras Presidency the proposition. You are in advance of him. correspondent regularly with him. It may If I recollect, years ago I believe, you wrote be noted that the issue was even discussed in favour of the subject ....”28 The topic of in smaller towns. One supporter from widow remarriage was kept alive and was Navalgund wrote: “Looking at the still being discussed during the 1880s. Rao unrepariable distressed condition of our Bahdur lirmalrao Inamdar, Parsi Venkat widows and the atrocities perpetrate... I am Rao’s son, who also was a Sardar Ammen, inclined to offer up myself as one of the took a keen interest in this topic. The issue advocates...”31 had once again come to the forefront due to Credit should be given to Tirmalaro the efforts made by B.M. Malabari, a social for mobilising views is support of the reformer of Bombay. The remarks written legislation which the Bombay Government by Malabari on the subject of widow sought to introduce legislation for widow remarriage and prohibition of infant remarriage. Local stalwarts such as tirmalrao marriages was sent to Tirmalrao at Dharwad and others mobilised public opinion in favour for his opinion, upon the direction the of such a legislation. Fovernor - in - Council.29 Tirmalrao Inamdar wrote back that Many other residents of Dharwad infant marriages had no religious sanction. also took a keen interest in the subject during Similarly he decried the custom of enforced the later decades of the nineteenth century. widowhood. He further expressed his grave An Assistant Master in the local Kanerese School wrote an article upholding the idea doubts on whether it was in the interest of 32 native society for a man to marry wise when of widow remarriage in 1884. the first wife was living and had no children. However, the book written on this Tirmalaro summed the prevailing sentiments ensative topic by Venkat Rango Katti still thus: “... They are fully aware of the cruely remains as an important document reflecting and handships of enforced widowhood, and the nature of public opinion that was sought privately wish the young widows might be to be created by educated gentlemen. Katti remarried, and yet they have not the courage was the author of Vidhawa Vapana Anachar 30 of openly declaring their private wishes” (Maratha) or Vidhawa Mundana Anachar Knowing that a Native Judege at (Kannada) which was published in 1889. Dharwad was sympathetic to social reform, Katti was a prominent educationist and the many gentlemen from different parts of the Principal of the Dharwad Men’s Training country began to correspond with him. Thus College. He advocated quite strongly the 14 CMDR Monograph Series No. - 16 view that there was no religious sanctions thoughts on individual liberty.”34 The lower for the tonsure of widows. Katti castes which had been denied the privileges systematically argues that the disfigurement of higher education saw in western education of widows by shaving their heads was a an opportunity and avenue to enhance their custom which had crept into Hindu society status. as a consequency of Budhism. Katti cited The British were quite aware of the various Hindu law makers to show that problems which issued out of the caste there was no custom of tonsure of widows system in the India. In the field of education during the vedic period. He even offered a they were helpless as they had to be careful reward of Rs. 500 to anyone who could enough not to tamper with the customs and prove him wrong. In this context he said; traditions of the people. Elphinstone, the “An appeal is made to our present reformers Governor of Bombay knew of the and men of patriotic feelings to gird up their consequences of admitting low caste boys loins to put down this abominable and into government schools. He was also unauthorised custom of recent origin as early aware that the missionaries had found many as possible.”33 intelligent boys who were willing to be Thus did various enlightened men in educated if the opportunities were so the nineteenth century in the Dharwad provided. Referring to providing opportunity collectorate make an effort to reform Hindu for educating the low caste boys elphinstone society by taking up the issue of infant observed: “... if our system of education first marriages and widow remarriage. took root among them ... we might find themselves at the head of a new class, Perhaps, the other issue relating to superior to the rest in useful knowledge, but Indian Society was the nature of the rigid hated and despised by the castes to whom caste system which prevailed in India. these new attainments would always induce Western education enabled individuals in us to prefer them.”35 He further remarked Indian society extricate themselves from the “... We must be careful how we offer any restrictions of caste based-culture and special encouragement to men of that taboos. In fact self-betterment in India description ...” began with western education. Western education was secular by nature. It brought Many British educationists forth new ideas, aspirations and behavior supported Elphinstone regarding the idea patterns which were different from those to that western education should be first which the people were till then accustomed popularised among the upper castes and the to. As the eminent sociologist G.S. Churye task of educating the low castes should only notes: “The British brought with them a come later. Further, the issue of low caste casteless culture and a literature full of boys sitting along with upper caste boys Role of Dharwad in the Socio Economic Reconstruction of North Karnataka 15 would upset the local sentiments and the for low caste boys. But such an offer did British were quite aware of this fact. Yet, not come about as many saw it saw it as the British did not wish to purse a policy of further expenditure for the maintenance of open discrimination. The Director of Public schools. instruction, who was a british official felt that the children of the upper castes should be However in 1856 the British encouraged to take up education while at Government was forced to take a stand due the same time, the children of the lower to an incident which took place in Dharwad. castes should be cautiously admitted.36 He This brought about much discussion at the observed: “.... if the children of the poor are highest level and came to the notice of the admitted freely to Government institutions, Viceroy at Calcutta. In 1856 a Mhar boy, what is there no prevent all the despised vitoo bin Narayan was refused admission in castes - the Dhers, Mhars etc., - from the Government Marathi school at flocking in numbers to their walls.?” Dharwad. The boy pettoned to the Government of Bombay to intercede on his The Government took the stand that behalf to obtain for him the admission. He boys of low castes could not be denied mentioned that he was not the first low caste admission and in a Government Minute boy in school, as is evident from his Petition declared” “There is no rule of Government which says: 2 Your Petitioner is informed or of the Department of Public Instructions that, at least in one instance, a scholar of prohibiting the admission of boys of low your Petitioner is informed that, at least in castes in any of the Government schools... one instance, a scholar of your Petitioner’s on the contrary it has been declared, on caste was instructed for many years in more than on occasion and might be shown Government school in this very town of to be the avowed ultimate policy of the Dharwad. The present objection is therefore Government, that its schools should be open 38 37 a step backwards in the wrong direction.” to every caste, class and creed.” Thus, from this petition it appears that it too This was the broad policy laid down bin Narayan was not the first Mhar boy who by the british Indian Government, but in the was interested in getting himself educated. provinces it was difficult to implement it. The It also casts light on the fact that the desire provincial officials in the Education to get educated among the low caste boys Department cautioned that this would drive had been kindled as early as the middle of away the upper caste boys who were the nineteenth century. It also means gradually taking to english education. It was perhaps, that the low castes had become suggested that the alternative would be conscious of the fact that they were being encourage educated philanthropic minded denied many privileged and that they could native gentlemen to start separate schools possibly be obtained if one fought for them. 16 CMDR Monograph Series No. - 16

The principle involved in the case, In 1882 the admission of two boys whether a low caste boy could be admitted belonging to the Holeya caste boys to the or not, engaged the attention of the Government School created its a stir in the government for two years. The Viceroy town for four or five days. Many of the write to all the Governors of the Provinces upper caste boys left the school and joined to collect facts on this matter. The entire the school opened by one Lele.39 However, voluminous correspondence on this matter this school was not quite good and many in the National Archives shows the pupils began to return after a few days. meticulous manner in which opinion was Soon they were reconsidered to the collected from the officials and also the Government rule. Eventually the native upper castes on whether low caste boys educated gentlemen had to accept the could be admitted and if so what could be decision. the repercussions. Perceiving the enthusiasm for Finally, in 1858 the Government education among the low castes, the announced that in such schools where the Inspector of Education even recommended expenses were shared by Government and the opening of a Night School for low caste local contributors, low caste boys not be boys as many of them were otherwise admitted, in partially aided Government engaged during day time. The Inspector of schools the governor could withdraw the aid Education (Southern Division) also notified and that in Government school low caste in 1881 that students belonging to pupils and persons of any race had the right Mochiyyar, Holeya, and other low castes of admission. attending schools were to be exempted from fees. In fact Hubli and Dharwad had the When the above rule implemented higher number of students of these castes. it did create some anxiety among upper caste boys in Dharwad. As anticipated, the upper Remarkably even girls from the castes did not welcome the measure. Even lower castes began to take an interest in almost thirty years later the upper castes education. The barriers these girls had to were not quite willing to support the decision face was quite formidable, when even girls of Government. The Dharwad writt a local upper castes had no freedom to acquire newspaper in 1882 reported that the education. However, some how caste girls number of pupils in government schools was did attend schools and some of them did rapidly declining. the Director of Public quite well at studies. At the prize distribution Instructions was ready to close the of girl’s school in Dharwad in 1882, the Government School rather than deny District Judge was pleased to give monetary admission to low caste boys. help to a few girls coming from the Holeya caste.40 Role of Dharwad in the Socio Economic Reconstruction of North Karnataka 17

Dharwad had many low caste which provided the incentive for the students and the Director of Public development for North Karnataka. Instructions noted: “Dharwad has the largest However, one may perceive a gradual number of these children but has no special decline in the fortunes of the town with schools or classes. This is as it should be. regard to its importance during the early Every encouragement in the shape of free decades of the twentieth century. the shifting admission and convenient accommodation of the Railway Headquarters of the M & is given to these children to attend boys M.SM Railway, the migration of educated schools.”41 to better pastures, especially to Bombay, the shifting of the army from Dharwad to Western education thus played a Belgaum, etc. These and many other crucial role in the nineteenth century in India. developments in the socio economic sphere The most profound change was in the pattern conspired to retard the urban development of secular education, for it created of Dharwad. Hubli as an industrial city aspirations for a better society. Thus one further succeeded in eclipsing Dharwad. may perceive that the advent of the British One may say with certainity that the brought about several region in the nineteenth achievements made in the last century have century. All these changes may be perceived been kept up in the 20th. The tempo of in the light of the development of agriculture, progress has definitely lagged behind. The improvement in trade and commerce, the lead has been taken up by other cities in the introduction of western education, and the region. In this context one may wonder creation of aspiration for social reform and whether the merger of Dharwad with Hubli a better society. in 1962 has been beneficial for its From the above we can confidently development. The full potentialities of the assume that the town of Dharwad played a town as they were made use of in the last very prominent role in the region of North century have never been exploited during Karnataka which was at the time called the present times, though today there more Southern Maratha Country or the Dharwad educated citizens, more schools and colleges Collectorate. It was an administrative and two Universities in the city. The starting capital, a cultural, educational and economic of industrial areas near Dharwad at Belur centre. It was a centre for social reform and may to some extent rectify the from where many revolutionary and economic conditions but the city needs more reformative ideas germinated. Thus one may employmental opportunities to keep back perceive Dharwad as a progressive town its young from migrating. 18 CMDR Monograph Series No. - 16

REFERENCES 13.Gazetteeer (1884), op. cit, 304. 1. Flanagen & Ginder, Urbanization 14.Ibid, p.305 and Social Change in West Africa, 15.Notification of 13 July 1845, Territorial Cambridge University Pre’ss, 1978, Dept. Inamdar Daftar 0. p.26. 2. Kingsley Davis, Population of India 16.Packet No. 686, Inamdar Daftar J and Pakistan, Princeton University 17.Ibid Press, New Jersey, 1951, p.3 18.Gazetter (1884), op.cit, p.305. 3. Memorandum 19.Agricultural Report, 1885-86, p.84 4. R.D. Choksey, Economic History of Bombay Deccan and Karnataka 20.Ibid, p.59 (1818-1868), Oriental watchman, 1945, 21.First Settlement Report of Dharwad p. 266 Taluka, No. 373, Selections from 5. Ibid. S.D. Commissioner’s File, Govt. Central 6. Dharwad District Gazetteer (1884) Press, Bombay, 1887, p7. Ed. Campbell, Govt. Central Press, 22.“Notes”, Imandar Daftar A. Bombay, pp 287-88. 23.Tirmalrao, “Money Lending in 7. John Caper, The Presidencies of India, Dharwad Dist”, 15 Feb 1882. Ingram, Cooke and Co., London 1853, p.342. 24.Gazetteer (1884), op.cit, 8. Letter of 21 Jan 1843, No. 508, 25.Letter No. 281, Rao Bahdur Parsi Inamdar Daftar H. Venkat Rao to Secretary to Law Commission, No. 688, Inamdar Daftar 9. Ibid, Letter No. 200 of 22 March 1843. M. 10.Ibid, Letter No. 508, Daftar H, letter of 26.Letter No. 521 of 1837, Inamdar Daftar 8 March 1844. M. 11.Annual Report of 1884, pp 29-30 27.Ibid. 12.Letter of 13 May 1889, and 1890 from 28.Rev Beynon to Venkat Rao, letter of June a merchant of Ahmedabad of Tirmalrao 1846, Inamdar Daftar D. Inamdar for cotton seeds, No. 470, Inamdar Daftar E. 29. Acting Secretary to Govt. of Role of Dharwad in the Socio Economic Reconstruction of North Karnataka 19

Bombay, Letter No. 4164 of 1884, 36.Report of Board of Education, 1852- Inamdar Daftar D. 53, p.13. 30.Ibid, Report dated 13 Nov. 1884. 37.Home Department, Govt. of India, Letter No. 882, 1857, National 31.Ibid, Narayan Keshav Apte to Tirmalrao, Archives of India, New Delhi. 5 Feb 1885. 38.Parliamentary Papers, Vol.3, 1856, 32.Baswantappa Hebli, Shalapatrike, May- National Archives, New Delhi. June 1884, p.110. 39.Shalapatrike, March 1882, p.245. 33.Forward to Vidhawa Vapana Knachar, Venkat Range Katti, Gnyanavardhak 40.Shalapatrike, November 1882, Press, Dharwad, 1889, p.2. p.246. 34.G.S. Ghurye, Class, Caste and 41,Report of Education Dept. 1885-86, Occupation, Popular Book Depot, p.84. Bombay, 1961, p.178. 35.Report of Board of Education, 1850- 51, p.23.