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Home , Ardeshir Godrej, Bhikaiji Cama, Dinshaw Edulji Wacha, Shapurji Saklatvala

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A and the Spirit of

Adi H. Doctor The Parsis constitute 's smallest and most distinct ethnic group. Although miniscule in number they contributed immensely to enriching all aspects of Indian life, both political as well as economic. The political attitudes of the Parsis have been considerably shaped by their early history in India. In the first place Parsi historians are very conscious of the common Aryan heritage that they share with their Hindu brethren. Secondly, in keeping with the promise made by their ancestors to King Jadi Rana in 936 CE, at the time of being provided shelter, the Parsis, ever since, have endeavoured "to sweeten the country by their good deeds"; while retaining their distinct identity. They became one with the country and its people.1

A Civic Conscious Community: Building the City of Bombay 1 Detail of a portrait of Dadabhai Right from the beginning of British rule in India, Parsi Naoroji (1825-1917) painted by intellectuals showed a remarkable awareness of where the Jehangir Ardeshir Lalkaka. had in 1892 roots of the community lay. A good index of this is to be found the distinction of being the first Asian to be elected member of in the community's immense contribution to the development parliament. He was a founding of local self- in the city of Bombay, to India's member of the and fought hard national movement, and to the struggle for freedom by the against the discriminatory policies of colonial rule, Indian Congress. specially with regard to the civil The Parsi community's interest in local self-government service. He promoted the idea of self-government and wrote and civic improvement is evident from the large number of extensively on the effects of Parsi citizens represented in the Bombay Town Council from "Un-British Rule in India". He presided over meetings of the 1872 to 1920.1 This representation of the Parsis in the Council Indian National Congress (1886, 1893, 1906) and was a close was particularly noteworthy as it was attained on the basis of friend of . their own social and economic standing and not due to any Photograph courtesy: Parsiana. preferential treatment by the British.

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2 Sohrabji Shapurji Bengalee (1831-1893) was the first Indian to advocate a progressive factory legislation, that took into consideration the well­ being of the employees. As a Justice of Peace and secretary of the Parsi Law Association, Bengalee advocated reforms in all areas affecting the interests of the ordinary workers. In 1878, he submitted a draft for legislating factory law to Sir Richard Temple, the Governor of Bombay, long before the idea caught the imagination of social reformists in . Despite opposition, Bengalee mobilized British public opinion through Parliament and the press. It was due to his efforts that the Indian Factories Act of 1881 became law. He served as a member of the Bombay Municipal Corporation and the Legislative Council, and was appointed Sheriff of Bombay. He worked for the advancement of education and social reform in India. Photograph: Fram Petit.

J Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy (1783-1859) amassed wealth, first in the volatile cotton trade and later as an opium trader. An outstanding philanthropist, he established a trust fund, the first of its kind in India, which by 1864 was involved in administering twenty-one schools. Many Indians received their first exposure to western education in a school established by him. He also built an art school, endowed hospitals, and established religious foundations. He was the lirst Indian to be awarded a baronetcy in perpetuity. Photograph: Fram Petit.

494 Adi H. Doctor W hen one considers civic development and public improvement, several prominent Parsi names come to mind. There was Nanabhoy Byramjee, noted for his leading role in the development of the Bombay Municipal Corporation; there was Naoroji Fardoonji, nicknamed "father of the Bombay Municipality," who earned fame for his fearless criticism and exposure of Arthur Crawford, the Municipal Commissioner of Bombay; Sohrabji Bengalee, father of factory legislation and also a member of the Bombay Legislative Council (fig.2); Byramjee Jejeebhoy, legislative councillor, noted for his work on the City Improvement Trust; and stalwarts like , four times Chairman, and Councillor for forty-three years without interruption, whose numerous civic services to Bombay earned for him the title of "the uncrowned king of Bombay." It was in India's metropolitan centres like Calcutta and Bombay that the beginnings of a distinct national movement emerged.3 The Bombay Association was formed in 1852, primarily with the financial support, of the Parsis, including Dadabhai Naoroji, Naoroji Fardoonji, and Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy (figs.1,3). They played a distinct role in awakening political consciousness and in demanding equal and active participation in the new political institutions being set up by the imperial rulers. In 4 Dadabhai Naoroji believed that in order to achieve political freedom for the people of 1853, the Bombay Association lamented the lack India, it was important to battle the British on their own ground, through constitutional of Indian representation in the Governor's Council means. He worked alongside with the 'Moderate' group of politicians such as Pherozeshah Mehta, and to make India and denounced the policy of racial exclusiveness. independent. Photograph: Kaiyan K. Mistree The Bombay Association under Parsi leadership adopted a bold, secular and liberal approach to provincial and national problems. This was subsequently to influence the All India National Congress in the first twenty years of its formation.

Parsi Constitutionalism: a Virtue and a Strength Partly by virtue of their religious temperament and partly because of their business interests, the Parsi community all along showed an inclination for constitutionalism and a desire to work for freedom and change through law. Dadabhai Naoroji may rightly be called the Father of Constitutionalism in India (figs.4,5). India had no constitution of its own in Dadabhai1 s time, but he accepted the common law of England 5 and more specifically the Queen's Proclamation and The personal effects of Dadabhai Naoroji. Collection and copyright: F.D. Alpaiwalla Museum, The Bombay Parsi Punchayet. the solemn pledges made by English statesmen, as Photograph: Fram Petit. the constitution.

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6 Dadabhai Naoroji in the House of Commons with the Liberal Prime Minister Gladstone, at the dispatch box. Dadabhai won his seat from Finsbury Central; his opponent, Captain Penton was from the Conservative Party. Photograph courtesy: Malcolm Deboo, The Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe.

497 10 opposite ' ■ A No Ruz banquet held at Pherozeshah Mehtars (1845 the Cafe Royal in -1915) undisputed position on 21st March 1906. in The Bombay ‘Presidency Presiding over the dinner is Association, the Indian ' -' ' ii| lljl Dadabhai Naoroji, then National Congress and the President of the Town Council of Bombay, Zoroastrian Association, placed him in an influential *ag f M uncherjee M. position in Indian politics. Bhownagree and Allen Mehta did his law at Octavian Hume, the Lincoln's Inn and was seen General Secretary of the as a "leading statesman and %. • *, f\ i, Indian National Congress. politician in India." He Photograph courtesy: dominated the Indian Malcolm Deboo, The political arena for thirty Zoroastrian Trust Funds of years and was referred to as I Europe. the "uncrowned king of Bombay." Photograph: Kaiyan K. Mistree.

Dinshaw Edulji Wacha (1844-1936) was the 8 Secretary of the Bombay Sir Muncherjee M. Bhownagree (1851-1933) was honoured Presidency Association for with the Order of the Lion and the Sun of Persia for services thirty years. As a m em ber of rendered to Iran. Bhownagree was the Tory candidate for the Legislative Council, Northeast Bethnal Green. He objected in parliament to Indians Wacha opposed the being made to finance the British campaign in Africa, which he economic exploitation of felt was being waged to promote imperial interests. He was also India, and wrote extensively concerned with the vast sums of money spent in maintaining on the subject. In the Indian the British Army in India. Bhownagree emphasised that it was National Congress, he the moral duty of the British government to invest in scientific worked closely with and technical education. He strongly advocated that India Dadabhai Naoroji and should not be exploited by British industry which had made the Pherozeshah Mehta towards Indian economy vulnerable to plague, drought, and famine. gaining autonomy and self­ Photograph courtesy: Malcolm Deboo, The Zoroastrian Trust governance for India. Funds of Europe. Photograph: Fram Petit.

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Therefore, in his struggle against the British arguments of the British conservatives, against 11 previous pages administration for securing justice and fair play he giving representation to the Indian masses. He was A bronze commemorative plaque at the base of constantly cited the promise made in the effective in neutralizing the political activities of Dadabhai Naoroji's statue proclamation, and in the various rights that were the supporters of the Indian National Congress in located in Bombay's financial district. It depicts pledged. In a paper, read at the East India E nglan d. Dadabhai leading the nation; Association on 2nd of May 1867, Dadabhai the inscription reads outlined the duties of the British towards India. Dinshaw E. Wacha and "Mothers Really Build Nations." He never once spoke of the Natural Rights to Pherozeshah Mehta Photograph: Fram Petit. which Indians were entitled, but instead spoke of Dinshaw E. Wacha, was a liberal nationalist and "the only right policy having been thus decided founding member of the Congress Party. He served and proclaimed in the name of the sovereign."4 as its secretary for many years and in 1901 became In 1855, the India Office suddenly reduced its President (fig. 9). Underlying his crusade the minimum qualifying age for Indians wishing to against the Government of British India was his compete for the Indian Civil Service to twenty-three abiding concern for the welfare and prosperity of years. This affected the prospects of a young Parsi India. Like Dadabhai, he criticized the British for candidate whose case Dadabhai took up and pursued their expenditure on a costly foreign administration. with the Secretary of State, Lord Stanley. Dadabhai In his 1901 Presidential address to the Congress, continued to raise the entire issue in the House of Wacha boldly asserted, "The fact is India is not free Commons, until he finally obtained the assurance of to choose its own administrative agency. Were it the Secretary of State that henceforth no change free, is there the slightest doubt that the entire would be made in the Civil Service Regulations administrative agency would be indigenous, living without adequate prior intimation and publicity. He and spending their monies in the country?" also championed the cause of holding the Indian Though Wacha was impatient with the Civil Service examinations in England and India British, he remained a constitutionalist and simultaneously, which was finally agreed to by the advised his countrym en to be patient especially in House of Commons in 18935 (figs. 6,7). politics. He knew that the path to self-government Dadabhai's faith in constitutionalism was built would not be easy. He advocated that, "W hat is on his firm conviction that neither terrorism nor most essential and of param ount importance is the revolution would serve India's long term interest. Dadabhai believed that constitutionalism would build up the strength of the nation gradually and this would be an enduring strength. Muncherjee Bhownagree was the second Indian elected to the House of Commons (fig.8). His candidature was supported by the Conservative 12 Party primarily to neutralize Naoroji's political Madame Bhikaiji Cama influence in England. Bhownagree's political views (1861-1936) was a fiery on the annexation of the Himalayan state of Chitral revolutionary. She believed that only radical actions and his defence of the British military expedition could dislodge the British in Lhasa against the Tibetans, in 1907, clashed with from India. She came to national attention when she: the position held by Naoroji. However he advocated spoke against British the need for increased industrialization of India and tyranny at the International for the improvement of technical and commercial Socialist Congress in Stuttgart. At this congress education which he saw as being imperative for she unfurled for the first progress. Despite his support of British rule, he time the Indian tri-colour on was critical of British colonial policies with regard w hich India's.; National Flag was later based. She was to the treatment of Indians in South Africa. While forced to live in exile in he did not believe in promoting home rule for Europe for thirty-five years India, he did however support economic progress because of her activities against the British under British rule, which he felt was an achievable government. goal. Bhownagree's position reinforced the Photograph courtesy: Private

502 Adi H. Doctor 13 uniting the Indian people. In Dadabhai's time, Shapurji Dorabji SaklatvaJa social reform was an explosive issue because it (1874-1936) was the Labour Member of Parliament for affected the religious beliefs of the people (fig.l 1). the constituency of north Dadabhai's advice to overzealous reformers like . In his early life he B.M. Malabari was not to become involved with came under the influence of ; and was in community reform, but rather to help the All charge of the Tata office in India National Congress to focus on specific issues London. Saklatvala's socialist that would politically unite the people of India.8 leanings were probably sparked by his close association with Professor Madame Bhikaiji Cama Vladimir Haffkine who pioneered an immunization Though the Parsi community was, in general, programme in India. With committed to non-violent agitation, there were a Haffkine, he worked for the few militant nationalists amongst whom Madame poor of India. The grinding poverty that he saw affected Bhikaiji Cama stands out prominently (fig.12). his beliefs and political She was convinced that the liberals would never thinking. In his early days in succeed in obtaining the rights of self-government London he supported the Liberal Party and later from the British. She eventually felt compelled to affiliated himself with the advocate, even as a woman, violent and Labour Party. With the onset revolutionary measures. In 1908 at in of the Russian Revolution, communism became his London, she announced, "Well Sirs... three years abiding passion. His ago it was repugnant to me to even talk of communist leanings annoyed the British Government who violence... but owing to the heartlessness, the were reluctant to grant him hypocrisy and rascality of the liberals that feeling permission to return to India, concentration of responsible opinion, well is gone. W hy should we deplore the use of force the land of his birth. Photograph courtesy: reasoned, well balanced, and well directed which when our enemies drive us to it."9 Malcolm Deboo, The might unmistakably reveal the fact that India is of The days for passing resolutions and calling Zoroastrian Trust Funds of one mind and one heart."6 meetings were over and the time was now ripe, Europe. Similarly Pherozeshah Mehta, another liberal proclaimed Madame Cama, "to show self-respect" constitutionalist, was concerned about several and "set to work" to attain the goal of liberty and aspects of British rule in India (fig. 10). His entry "India for Indians." Madame Cama's speech was into the Legislative Council, and later the Imperial later published as a leaflet and widely distributed Council ushered in a new spirit of ever growing in India, where many welcomed it as a manifesto vigilance among Indians. He disapproved of the of the revolutionary creed.10 Vernacular Press Bill, declaring that he would In 1907, at the International Socialist never be a party to the repression of civil liberties. Congress at Stuttgart in Germany, the previous Pherozeshah Mehta opposed the Police Bill, the year she had boldly unfurled "the Indian national object of which was to convict and punish without flag", a tricolour in green, yellow and red with the any judicial trial, under the cover of executive w o rd s Bande Mataram inscribed on the middle measures. His criticism of the Official Secrets Act band. Thereafter, whenever she spoke in public was based on his commitment to an open and she would first raise the Indian tri-colour before transparent government. He warned the British in addressing the audience. Madame Cama also India that if they imposed "illiberal measures", supported the revolutionary group, the Abhinav such as the Ilbert Bill, they would soon produce Bharat Society, which was started by Veer Savarkar Englishmen trained in "the maxims of despotism", in London. Her association with him led the British who on returning to their home "could not but look authorities to keep her under surveillance, but in with intolerance on free and constitutional forms."7 spite of this, she managed to send revolutionary Parsi liberals and constitutionalists sought to literature and arms to India. She was interned develop a secular nationalism in India. W hether it during the war years and lived for many years in was Dadabhai Naoroji, Dinshaw Wacha or exile. She was allowed to return to India in 1935. Pherozeshah Mehta, they all believed that there Frail and in ill health she died, neglected and were enough political and economic issues for unsung in the Parsi General Hospital in Bombay.

503 Parsis and the Spirit of Indian Nationalism Shapurji Saklatvala 14 Khurshed Framjee Nariman Shapurji Saklatvala, who described himself as known as Veer Nariman, a "Tilakite extremist", was elected to the British was an advocate of the Parliament as a Communist (fig. 13).11 He fully Bombay High Court. He was elected President of the condemned British imperialism. He worked in Bombay Provincial Congress England for the liberation of , committee and he led the usually with young Indian students who were Civil Disobedience Movement in Bombay in studying in the United Kingdom. He encouraged 1930. He was imprisoned their patriotic and communist ideals. W hen he four times because of his came to India in 1927 he attempted to organize political activities, and was h later honoured with the title Indian labour and farm workers. He supported the of Veer. He was M ayor of strike by employees of the British owned Bengal Bombay and member of the All India Congress Nagpur Railway and wanted them to form an All Committee. India Trade Union Federation. Despite his Photograph courtesy: communist leanings, Saklatvala urged left wing Parsiana, , India. forces to join the Congress because, as he said: "We should have a strong united National Congress representative of all classes and interests." 15 Veer Nariman The prison coat worn by Khurshed Framjee Nariman, Khurshed Framjee Nariman was given the seen along with his identity honorific title of Veer Nariman (figs. 14,15). He tags and the key to his cell. Collection: Private. was well known among the Parsi extremists. He Photograph: Fram Petit. considered the goals of the British Empire to haw been achieved largely as a result of force and naval supremacy. When the representatives of such an empire advocate constitutional methods, "is it not the devil quoting the scriptures," enquired Nariman. Thus, not trusting the British, he felt that the path to Indian Independence could not be achieved by purely constitutional methods. As a result, he was highly critical of Mahatma Gandhi's suspension of the Civil Disobedience M ovement.12 At the same time, Nariman supported such measures as the Dandi March and the . He advocated a direct action programme against the continuance of British rule in India.

Parsi Economic Nationalism The Parsi community may be described as being among the leaders of economic nationalism in India. Dadabhai Naoroji and Dinshaw Wacha were probably its most vocal spokesmen. In his classic study on "Poverty and Un-British Rule in India", Dadabhai accused the British of being even worse than the Indian rulers and invaders, such as Nadir Shah. The native princes may have imposed heavy taxes, but at least the proceeds were not sent out of India. Consequently, although individuals

504 Adi H D octor may have suffered, the country as a whole did not. The British on the other hand, continually and increasingly drained the country of its wealth. They both felt that Englishmen were needlessly employed in the civil service, the railways and in the army, when competent Indians were available. Further expenses were incurred as a result of furlough and pension allowances paid to these employees. This unwarranted employment denied Indians the opportunities to learn and acquire experience in these vital fields of the country's adm inistration.13 Dinshaw Wacha's studies revealed that each European soldier cost the country approximately three times more than an Indian soldier. He therefore urged that the limb of the army, "which is needless and most costly" be curtailed.14 Dadabhai and Wacha arrived at the same conclusion that it was time for self-government in India when they examined British activity in trade and industry. Through the nineteenth century much of the pioneering effort came about as a result of Parsi enterprise. Many indigenous industries such as shipping, textiles, iron and steel, emerged and financial institutions along with other infrastructural facilities were established.15 The pioneers were Cowasjee Nanabhoy Davar, Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata and the Wadias (figs. 16a, 16b). The spirit of nationalism received further impetus when entrepreneurs set up businesses and industrial units with the aim of reducing dependencey on British goods.

16a Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata. Photograph by Raja Deen Dayal. 11th January 1899. Courtesy: Hemlata Jain

16b /.s • Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata (1839-1904) was a visionary and a nationalist. He began his career as a China trader, and played a prominent role in the textile and hotel industries. Jamsetji's ability to view world events laterally and assess their long term effects on India, placed him in a position where he could effectively influence new ideas emerging from the tumult caused by the Industrial Revolution. He understood the significance of the Industrial Revolution in the West, and saw a need for India to harness the benefits towards increasing self-sufficiency. A frequent visitor at the home of Dadabhai Naoroji and a close friend of Pherozeshah Mehta, Muncherjee Bhownagree, and Dinshaw Wacha, Jamsetji realised that political action as advocated by his friends and other Indians, needed to be supported by an industrial programme. While others thought only in terms of political initiatives, Jamsetji maintained a need to support an economic base in India which worked towards reducing its dependency on the British government . Although he died before the Tata Iron and Steel Company, Tata Hydro-Electric Power Supply Company, and the Institute of Science at Bangalore were established, he was however able to lay the ground for them. Today, these institutions remain a tribute to Jamsetji Tata, a man of foresight, grit, and determination. Photograph: Fram Petit.

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17 Ardeshir Burjorji Godrej (1868-1936), inspired l>y Mahatma Gandhi, who was waging a political battle for freedom, endeavoured to strengthen India's quesi for freedom by making the country economically self-sufficient. It was with this in mind that he established an industrial base in 1897, to manufacture high security locks, and security equipment, later followed by making quality soaps and toiletries. Collection and copyright: Godrej Archives.

18a above Pirojsha Burjorji Godrej (1882-1972) believed that only a policy based on industrial self reliance would lead India to prosperity. Large tracts of land in the village of Vikhroli, on the outskirts of Bombay, were purchased in 1943 by Naoroji his youngest son, who with Pirojsha transformed it into an industrial garden township, Pirojshanagar, which presently houses the Godrej industrial complex. Collection and copyright: Godrej Archives.

18b Pirojsha Burjorji Godrej surveying the land at Vikhroli. Collection and copyright: Godrej Archives. P P Q

506 Adi H. Doctor Ardeshir Godrej, pioneer-founder of the 4. A. Appadorai, Documents on Political Thought in Godrej enterprise, firmly believed that until India Modem India, vol.l, New Delhi, 1981, pp. 49-62. became economically self-reliant, freedom would 5. R.P. Masani, Dadabhai Naoroji, The Grand Old Man of India, London, 1939. remain a distant dream (fig. 17). In pursuance of 6. G.A. Natesan and Co. (author not m entioned) his motto, "Self-respect through Self-reliance", Famous Parsis, Madras, 1930, p.357. Ardeshir set up a factory in 1897 to manufacture 7. Famous Parsis, p. 359; A. Appadorai, Documents on high security locks which, with several patented Political Thought in Modem India, vol. 1, (Document nos. inventions, proved superior to the existing variety. 10 and 11), pp 32-36. Again, in pursuance of the swadeshi vow taken by 8. For Malabari on reforms see Documents on Political the Indian National Congress in 1906, Ardeshir Thought in Modern India, (Document Nos. 31 to 40), pp. manufactured a soap made from vegetable oil 86 to 109; Dayaram Gidumal, The Life and Work of BehramjiM.Malabari, Bombay , 1888. instead of animal fat, which was considered a 9. Source Material For a History o f the Freedom Movement significant innovation of its time. in India, vol.l 1, Bombay, 1958, pp. 524-526. Inspired by Gandhi's plea that business houses 10. M anm ohan Kaur, Role of Women in the Freedom must function as trustees of the wealth they made, Movement, New Delhi, 1968, p. 110. S.P. Sen, ed., Ardeshir donated three hundred thousand rupees Dictionary of National Biography, Institute of Historical for the upliftment of Harijans, which Gandhi Studies, Calcutta, 1972, pp 240-242. declared "had eclipsed all donations to the Tilak 11. P. Saha, Shapurji Saklatvala, 1970. Fund." This, however, incurred the wrath 12. R.C. M ajumdar, History of the Freedom Movement in of the British rulers who issued a secret circular India, vol.3, Calcutta, 1963, p. 481. ordering government departments to boycott 13. A.Appadorai, Documents on Political Thought in Godrej products, an act which was severely Modern India, vol. 1, (Document No 1), pp. 3 to 6. Also, Chunilal Lallubhai Parekh, ed, Essays, Speeches, Addresses condemned by Gandhi. Undeterred, Ardeshir and Writings (on Politics) of the Honourable Dadabhai ' continued to support the cause of swadeshi. Naoroji, Bombay, 1887. Ardeshir's younger brother Pirojsha 14. Famous Parsis, pp.308-315. consolidated the many gains of Ardeshir's 15. A.V.Desai, "The Origins of Parsi Enterprise," The inventive genius (figs. 18a, 18b). He pursued a Indian Economic and Social History Review, December 1968; policy that exemplified a new spirit in modern Bipan Chandra, The Rise and Growth of Economic industrial outlook. Believing that a happy worker Nationalism in India, New Delhi, 1966; Vera Anstey,77ze Economic Development of India, London, 1952. is a good worker, he provided benefits that anticipated labour legislation in the country. It was this partnership of Swadeshi with industry that gave impetus to the ongoing struggle for freedom. The early pioneers also introduced various labour and social welfare schemes along side their business enterprises well before a welfare state emerged in England. Parsi involvement with industry and their concern for the welfare of labour as a group, merged with the ideals of the Indian National Congress and reflected not only the spirit and philosophy of their ancient religion but also their commitment to the nation and its people. Obverse Reverse Bust of the king in M int: N A R =N ahr Tir. profile.Crown with wings of Date: year 2. Verethragna symbolising Sun and moon symbols on NOTES victory. King's name in edge of coin. 1. D.F. Karaka, History of the Parsis, vols. 1 and 2, Pahlavi on the right. In Pahlavi farr apzud= London, 1884. may his Glory increase, 2. E. Kulke, The Parsees in India- A Minority as Agent of on the far left. Star and moon symbols placed on edge. Social Change, New Delhi, 1974. 3. R. Suntharalingam , Indian Nationalism - An Historical Analysis, New Delhi, 1983, (Document no.20), Silver drachm of the Khusrow II (591-682 CE). pp. 69-70.

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Parsis and the Spirit of Indian Nationalism