Growth of Liberalism in Maharashtra – II | Maharashtra State PSC (MPSC): Preparation - MPSC (Maharastra) PDF Download

 Page 1


GROWTH OF LIBERALISM IN
MAHARASHTRA- II
INTRODUCTION :
Western learning had inspired many young men of high and middle
class to bring about change in social and religious life of their people. In
the early stages of the British Rule the English educated gentlemen
admired the ideas of humanism and rationalism. They talked about
dignity of the individual if not the equality of man. Their minds were full
with idealist philosophy and achievements of modern science.
The first generation of the educated elite like Bal Shastri
Jambhekar, Dadoba Pandurang T arkhadkar and Gopal Hari Deshmukh
had expressed their views on certain evil customs in the Hindu Society
either through periodicals or speeches before an assembly of like-
minded people. These three men were erudite scholars but they lacked
the moral courage when it came to translate their ideas into actions.
The next generation of reformers like Ranade and Bhandarkar
moved with caution and circumspection. The leaders from Bombay in
Page 2


GROWTH OF LIBERALISM IN
MAHARASHTRA- II
INTRODUCTION :
Western learning had inspired many young men of high and middle
class to bring about change in social and religious life of their people. In
the early stages of the British Rule the English educated gentlemen
admired the ideas of humanism and rationalism. They talked about
dignity of the individual if not the equality of man. Their minds were full
with idealist philosophy and achievements of modern science.
The first generation of the educated elite like Bal Shastri
Jambhekar, Dadoba Pandurang T arkhadkar and Gopal Hari Deshmukh
had expressed their views on certain evil customs in the Hindu Society
either through periodicals or speeches before an assembly of like-
minded people. These three men were erudite scholars but they lacked
the moral courage when it came to translate their ideas into actions.
The next generation of reformers like Ranade and Bhandarkar
moved with caution and circumspection. The leaders from Bombay in
the last quarter of the century were more vocal not only on the social
reforms but also on matters concerning administrative and political
reforms. The champions of liberalism and nationalism namely
Pherozshah Mehta. Badruddin Tyabji and K.T.Telang emerged as all-
India leaders. Mehta and Tyabji were Presidents of the Indian National
congress in 1890 and 1887 respectively. All of them fought for rights of
the Indian people as we shall see in the following pages:
TRIUMVIRATE OF LIBERAL SCHOOL :
a) Phirozeshah Mehta
b) Badruddin Tyabji and
c) K. T . T elang.
Vishnubuva Brahmachari, Vishnushastri Chiplunkar and S.M.
Paranjape contributed significantly to the revival of ancient Hindu
religious and social traditions, customs and institutions and starved to
give Hinduism a place of honour in the family of religions. Their speeches
and writings inspired nationalism of a radical type anti-British, in some
cases even anti-liberal and a deep attachment to ancient Indian religious
and cultural institutions.
However, there were also others, equally popular and powerful
nationalists - who were imbibed in the spirit of modernity and liberalism.
Men like the Lokhitavadi, Jambhekar, Dadoba Pandurang Ranade, Phule
and Agarkar, through their multifarious activities and many institutions
they were connected with, strove to give a modern, liberal and
humanitarian outlook to Indian Society. Their progressive outlook
inspired moderate nationalism. In the city of Bombay, in the second half
to the nineteenth century, the famous Triumvirate, namely Phirozeshah
Mehta, K T T elang and Badruddin Tyabji, gave a fillip to liberal, secular,
moderate nationalism.
PHIROZESHAH
 
MEHTA
 
(1846-1915)
 
:
Mehta was a Parsi western educated lawyer and prominent
political leader of the city of Bombay. He was a secretary of Bombay
Branch of the East India Association (EIA), member of the Bombay
Association, the
 
Western India Association, and a powerful leader of
Page 3


GROWTH OF LIBERALISM IN
MAHARASHTRA- II
INTRODUCTION :
Western learning had inspired many young men of high and middle
class to bring about change in social and religious life of their people. In
the early stages of the British Rule the English educated gentlemen
admired the ideas of humanism and rationalism. They talked about
dignity of the individual if not the equality of man. Their minds were full
with idealist philosophy and achievements of modern science.
The first generation of the educated elite like Bal Shastri
Jambhekar, Dadoba Pandurang T arkhadkar and Gopal Hari Deshmukh
had expressed their views on certain evil customs in the Hindu Society
either through periodicals or speeches before an assembly of like-
minded people. These three men were erudite scholars but they lacked
the moral courage when it came to translate their ideas into actions.
The next generation of reformers like Ranade and Bhandarkar
moved with caution and circumspection. The leaders from Bombay in
the last quarter of the century were more vocal not only on the social
reforms but also on matters concerning administrative and political
reforms. The champions of liberalism and nationalism namely
Pherozshah Mehta. Badruddin Tyabji and K.T.Telang emerged as all-
India leaders. Mehta and Tyabji were Presidents of the Indian National
congress in 1890 and 1887 respectively. All of them fought for rights of
the Indian people as we shall see in the following pages:
TRIUMVIRATE OF LIBERAL SCHOOL :
a) Phirozeshah Mehta
b) Badruddin Tyabji and
c) K. T . T elang.
Vishnubuva Brahmachari, Vishnushastri Chiplunkar and S.M.
Paranjape contributed significantly to the revival of ancient Hindu
religious and social traditions, customs and institutions and starved to
give Hinduism a place of honour in the family of religions. Their speeches
and writings inspired nationalism of a radical type anti-British, in some
cases even anti-liberal and a deep attachment to ancient Indian religious
and cultural institutions.
However, there were also others, equally popular and powerful
nationalists - who were imbibed in the spirit of modernity and liberalism.
Men like the Lokhitavadi, Jambhekar, Dadoba Pandurang Ranade, Phule
and Agarkar, through their multifarious activities and many institutions
they were connected with, strove to give a modern, liberal and
humanitarian outlook to Indian Society. Their progressive outlook
inspired moderate nationalism. In the city of Bombay, in the second half
to the nineteenth century, the famous Triumvirate, namely Phirozeshah
Mehta, K T T elang and Badruddin Tyabji, gave a fillip to liberal, secular,
moderate nationalism.
PHIROZESHAH
 
MEHTA
 
(1846-1915)
 
:
Mehta was a Parsi western educated lawyer and prominent
political leader of the city of Bombay. He was a secretary of Bombay
Branch of the East India Association (EIA), member of the Bombay
Association, the
 
Western India Association, and a powerful leader of
the moderate faction of Indian National Congress. During 1884-85 he
was the Chairman of Bombay Municipal Corporation. Mehta and K T
T elang concentrated their activities from 1870’s onwards in building up
their power base; within the decade, they made a successful bid to
capture the leadership of the city.  For Mehta, secretariship of EIA was
an important stepping stone to leadership and fame. By the close of the
century he had emerged, alongwith Gopal Krishna Gokhale, as an
acknowledged political leader of the Country.
Phirozeshah Mehta was a liberal. He was in favour of reform,
especially of municipal affairs of Bombay. Although, in 1874, he was a
supporter of the (corrupt) Municipal Commissioner of Bombay, Arthur T .
Crawford. He struggled for popularly elected body for the Bombay
Municipality. Alongwith V .N.Mandlik, Badruddin Tyabji, K. T . T elang and
other like-minded intelligentsia, Phirozeshah Mehta supported the
campaign for a complete reform of the electoral system. In his view, the
continued appointment of the ‘Justice of Peace’ (JP’s) for life by the
Government was bad. Hence, he demanded a popular and responsible
corporation, elected by the “ratepayers” themselves.
At a public meeting held in April 1883. Mehta, Tyabji, Telang,
Mandlik and Dadabhai Naoroji affirmed that the educated intelligentsia
should participate fully in the administration not only of their city but of
India as well. They urged the English educated Indians to unite and
present a united front to their rivals for prestige and power i.e. the Anglo-
Indians. They told them to be prepared for sacrifice and struggle until
they had won a status of equality with the ruling race. But as P H Mody
writes, ‘‘ Mehta, like Naoroji, had a sincere faith in the sense of justice
and fair play of the British’’ .
Phirozeshah Mehta rendered unforgettable service to the
systematic organisation of the Municipal Corporation as a member and
Mayor. According to G K Gokhale, by pacing his outstanding abilities
freely at the disposal of the city for nearly 50 years, Mehta attained a
position of  “unrivaled predominance” in the Corporation and in the
country’s affairs.
Phirozeshah Mehta was liberal and moderate in politics. His faith
in the British fair play and justice did not preclude him from opposing
policies of the British in India which were not in the interest of the country
and its people. His grasp of things and vigour of his intellect, and his
fearless independence together dignity and judgment won him a
prominent place in the public life of Bombay. In the Legislative Council
of Bombay, he showed himself to be a match for the ablest of his Anglo-
Indian opponents.
Page 4


GROWTH OF LIBERALISM IN
MAHARASHTRA- II
INTRODUCTION :
Western learning had inspired many young men of high and middle
class to bring about change in social and religious life of their people. In
the early stages of the British Rule the English educated gentlemen
admired the ideas of humanism and rationalism. They talked about
dignity of the individual if not the equality of man. Their minds were full
with idealist philosophy and achievements of modern science.
The first generation of the educated elite like Bal Shastri
Jambhekar, Dadoba Pandurang T arkhadkar and Gopal Hari Deshmukh
had expressed their views on certain evil customs in the Hindu Society
either through periodicals or speeches before an assembly of like-
minded people. These three men were erudite scholars but they lacked
the moral courage when it came to translate their ideas into actions.
The next generation of reformers like Ranade and Bhandarkar
moved with caution and circumspection. The leaders from Bombay in
the last quarter of the century were more vocal not only on the social
reforms but also on matters concerning administrative and political
reforms. The champions of liberalism and nationalism namely
Pherozshah Mehta. Badruddin Tyabji and K.T.Telang emerged as all-
India leaders. Mehta and Tyabji were Presidents of the Indian National
congress in 1890 and 1887 respectively. All of them fought for rights of
the Indian people as we shall see in the following pages:
TRIUMVIRATE OF LIBERAL SCHOOL :
a) Phirozeshah Mehta
b) Badruddin Tyabji and
c) K. T . T elang.
Vishnubuva Brahmachari, Vishnushastri Chiplunkar and S.M.
Paranjape contributed significantly to the revival of ancient Hindu
religious and social traditions, customs and institutions and starved to
give Hinduism a place of honour in the family of religions. Their speeches
and writings inspired nationalism of a radical type anti-British, in some
cases even anti-liberal and a deep attachment to ancient Indian religious
and cultural institutions.
However, there were also others, equally popular and powerful
nationalists - who were imbibed in the spirit of modernity and liberalism.
Men like the Lokhitavadi, Jambhekar, Dadoba Pandurang Ranade, Phule
and Agarkar, through their multifarious activities and many institutions
they were connected with, strove to give a modern, liberal and
humanitarian outlook to Indian Society. Their progressive outlook
inspired moderate nationalism. In the city of Bombay, in the second half
to the nineteenth century, the famous Triumvirate, namely Phirozeshah
Mehta, K T T elang and Badruddin Tyabji, gave a fillip to liberal, secular,
moderate nationalism.
PHIROZESHAH
 
MEHTA
 
(1846-1915)
 
:
Mehta was a Parsi western educated lawyer and prominent
political leader of the city of Bombay. He was a secretary of Bombay
Branch of the East India Association (EIA), member of the Bombay
Association, the
 
Western India Association, and a powerful leader of
the moderate faction of Indian National Congress. During 1884-85 he
was the Chairman of Bombay Municipal Corporation. Mehta and K T
T elang concentrated their activities from 1870’s onwards in building up
their power base; within the decade, they made a successful bid to
capture the leadership of the city.  For Mehta, secretariship of EIA was
an important stepping stone to leadership and fame. By the close of the
century he had emerged, alongwith Gopal Krishna Gokhale, as an
acknowledged political leader of the Country.
Phirozeshah Mehta was a liberal. He was in favour of reform,
especially of municipal affairs of Bombay. Although, in 1874, he was a
supporter of the (corrupt) Municipal Commissioner of Bombay, Arthur T .
Crawford. He struggled for popularly elected body for the Bombay
Municipality. Alongwith V .N.Mandlik, Badruddin Tyabji, K. T . T elang and
other like-minded intelligentsia, Phirozeshah Mehta supported the
campaign for a complete reform of the electoral system. In his view, the
continued appointment of the ‘Justice of Peace’ (JP’s) for life by the
Government was bad. Hence, he demanded a popular and responsible
corporation, elected by the “ratepayers” themselves.
At a public meeting held in April 1883. Mehta, Tyabji, Telang,
Mandlik and Dadabhai Naoroji affirmed that the educated intelligentsia
should participate fully in the administration not only of their city but of
India as well. They urged the English educated Indians to unite and
present a united front to their rivals for prestige and power i.e. the Anglo-
Indians. They told them to be prepared for sacrifice and struggle until
they had won a status of equality with the ruling race. But as P H Mody
writes, ‘‘ Mehta, like Naoroji, had a sincere faith in the sense of justice
and fair play of the British’’ .
Phirozeshah Mehta rendered unforgettable service to the
systematic organisation of the Municipal Corporation as a member and
Mayor. According to G K Gokhale, by pacing his outstanding abilities
freely at the disposal of the city for nearly 50 years, Mehta attained a
position of  “unrivaled predominance” in the Corporation and in the
country’s affairs.
Phirozeshah Mehta was liberal and moderate in politics. His faith
in the British fair play and justice did not preclude him from opposing
policies of the British in India which were not in the interest of the country
and its people. His grasp of things and vigour of his intellect, and his
fearless independence together dignity and judgment won him a
prominent place in the public life of Bombay. In the Legislative Council
of Bombay, he showed himself to be a match for the ablest of his Anglo-
Indian opponents.
Mehta was unsparing in his criticism of the Indian Civil Service
and of the policy of the Government of India of denying Indians an
opportunity to join it. He highlighted in the Council debates the indifference
of the Civil Servants to the grievances of the Indian people and public
opinion. As President of the Indian National Congress, he urged the
adoption of direct election and enlargement of the functions of Legislative
Councils so that the people were not left at the mercy of an indifferent
officialdom.
Phirozeshah Mehta was a champion of the Free Press. Therefore.
he severally criticised the Vernacular Press Act of 1878 which imposed
severe limitations on the freedom of the Press. He denounced this
autocratic measure of Lord Lytton as a “narrow minded policy of autocratic
imperialism”. He went to the extent of opposing the proposal of giving a
public address and erecting a memorial to Sir Richard T emple, the retiring
Govemor of Bombay Presidency.
He had faith in the capacity of the Indians to manage representative
institutions. He also believed that “the time was past when strong popular
opinion on any subject could be successfully resisted by Government
for any length of time”. As an active member of the Bombay Branch of
the East India Association, Bombay Association, Western India
Association and founder-member of the Bombay Presidency
Association, Mehta strove through resolutions, memorials and public
meetings to focus the general feeling of the community on matters of
common interest as well as to attract the government’s attention towards
grievances of the people.
Phirozeshah Mehta was one of the founder members of the Indian
National Congress and soon came to be recognised as one of its pillars.
A moderate and constitutionalist, Mehta was elected President of the
Congress in 1890.  He put the case of the Congress in a nutshell when
he said that it had survived the ridicule, abuse, misrepresentation and
charges of sedition and disloyalty. However, like Gokhale, he differed
from the radicals like Tilak as to the methods and course of action to be
followed by it. According to Mehta :
“It is because the masses are still unable to articulate definite
political demands that the functions and duty devolve upon their educated
and enlightened compatriots to feel to understand and to interpret their
grievances and requirements and to suggest and indicate how these
can best be redressed and met.
By 1890, Phirozeshah Mehta’s position in the political life of
Maharashtra and at the all India level had become almost unassailable.
He was President of the Congress in 1890; a member of the Bombay
Page 5


GROWTH OF LIBERALISM IN
MAHARASHTRA- II
INTRODUCTION :
Western learning had inspired many young men of high and middle
class to bring about change in social and religious life of their people. In
the early stages of the British Rule the English educated gentlemen
admired the ideas of humanism and rationalism. They talked about
dignity of the individual if not the equality of man. Their minds were full
with idealist philosophy and achievements of modern science.
The first generation of the educated elite like Bal Shastri
Jambhekar, Dadoba Pandurang T arkhadkar and Gopal Hari Deshmukh
had expressed their views on certain evil customs in the Hindu Society
either through periodicals or speeches before an assembly of like-
minded people. These three men were erudite scholars but they lacked
the moral courage when it came to translate their ideas into actions.
The next generation of reformers like Ranade and Bhandarkar
moved with caution and circumspection. The leaders from Bombay in
the last quarter of the century were more vocal not only on the social
reforms but also on matters concerning administrative and political
reforms. The champions of liberalism and nationalism namely
Pherozshah Mehta. Badruddin Tyabji and K.T.Telang emerged as all-
India leaders. Mehta and Tyabji were Presidents of the Indian National
congress in 1890 and 1887 respectively. All of them fought for rights of
the Indian people as we shall see in the following pages:
TRIUMVIRATE OF LIBERAL SCHOOL :
a) Phirozeshah Mehta
b) Badruddin Tyabji and
c) K. T . T elang.
Vishnubuva Brahmachari, Vishnushastri Chiplunkar and S.M.
Paranjape contributed significantly to the revival of ancient Hindu
religious and social traditions, customs and institutions and starved to
give Hinduism a place of honour in the family of religions. Their speeches
and writings inspired nationalism of a radical type anti-British, in some
cases even anti-liberal and a deep attachment to ancient Indian religious
and cultural institutions.
However, there were also others, equally popular and powerful
nationalists - who were imbibed in the spirit of modernity and liberalism.
Men like the Lokhitavadi, Jambhekar, Dadoba Pandurang Ranade, Phule
and Agarkar, through their multifarious activities and many institutions
they were connected with, strove to give a modern, liberal and
humanitarian outlook to Indian Society. Their progressive outlook
inspired moderate nationalism. In the city of Bombay, in the second half
to the nineteenth century, the famous Triumvirate, namely Phirozeshah
Mehta, K T T elang and Badruddin Tyabji, gave a fillip to liberal, secular,
moderate nationalism.
PHIROZESHAH
 
MEHTA
 
(1846-1915)
 
:
Mehta was a Parsi western educated lawyer and prominent
political leader of the city of Bombay. He was a secretary of Bombay
Branch of the East India Association (EIA), member of the Bombay
Association, the
 
Western India Association, and a powerful leader of
the moderate faction of Indian National Congress. During 1884-85 he
was the Chairman of Bombay Municipal Corporation. Mehta and K T
T elang concentrated their activities from 1870’s onwards in building up
their power base; within the decade, they made a successful bid to
capture the leadership of the city.  For Mehta, secretariship of EIA was
an important stepping stone to leadership and fame. By the close of the
century he had emerged, alongwith Gopal Krishna Gokhale, as an
acknowledged political leader of the Country.
Phirozeshah Mehta was a liberal. He was in favour of reform,
especially of municipal affairs of Bombay. Although, in 1874, he was a
supporter of the (corrupt) Municipal Commissioner of Bombay, Arthur T .
Crawford. He struggled for popularly elected body for the Bombay
Municipality. Alongwith V .N.Mandlik, Badruddin Tyabji, K. T . T elang and
other like-minded intelligentsia, Phirozeshah Mehta supported the
campaign for a complete reform of the electoral system. In his view, the
continued appointment of the ‘Justice of Peace’ (JP’s) for life by the
Government was bad. Hence, he demanded a popular and responsible
corporation, elected by the “ratepayers” themselves.
At a public meeting held in April 1883. Mehta, Tyabji, Telang,
Mandlik and Dadabhai Naoroji affirmed that the educated intelligentsia
should participate fully in the administration not only of their city but of
India as well. They urged the English educated Indians to unite and
present a united front to their rivals for prestige and power i.e. the Anglo-
Indians. They told them to be prepared for sacrifice and struggle until
they had won a status of equality with the ruling race. But as P H Mody
writes, ‘‘ Mehta, like Naoroji, had a sincere faith in the sense of justice
and fair play of the British’’ .
Phirozeshah Mehta rendered unforgettable service to the
systematic organisation of the Municipal Corporation as a member and
Mayor. According to G K Gokhale, by pacing his outstanding abilities
freely at the disposal of the city for nearly 50 years, Mehta attained a
position of  “unrivaled predominance” in the Corporation and in the
country’s affairs.
Phirozeshah Mehta was liberal and moderate in politics. His faith
in the British fair play and justice did not preclude him from opposing
policies of the British in India which were not in the interest of the country
and its people. His grasp of things and vigour of his intellect, and his
fearless independence together dignity and judgment won him a
prominent place in the public life of Bombay. In the Legislative Council
of Bombay, he showed himself to be a match for the ablest of his Anglo-
Indian opponents.
Mehta was unsparing in his criticism of the Indian Civil Service
and of the policy of the Government of India of denying Indians an
opportunity to join it. He highlighted in the Council debates the indifference
of the Civil Servants to the grievances of the Indian people and public
opinion. As President of the Indian National Congress, he urged the
adoption of direct election and enlargement of the functions of Legislative
Councils so that the people were not left at the mercy of an indifferent
officialdom.
Phirozeshah Mehta was a champion of the Free Press. Therefore.
he severally criticised the Vernacular Press Act of 1878 which imposed
severe limitations on the freedom of the Press. He denounced this
autocratic measure of Lord Lytton as a “narrow minded policy of autocratic
imperialism”. He went to the extent of opposing the proposal of giving a
public address and erecting a memorial to Sir Richard T emple, the retiring
Govemor of Bombay Presidency.
He had faith in the capacity of the Indians to manage representative
institutions. He also believed that “the time was past when strong popular
opinion on any subject could be successfully resisted by Government
for any length of time”. As an active member of the Bombay Branch of
the East India Association, Bombay Association, Western India
Association and founder-member of the Bombay Presidency
Association, Mehta strove through resolutions, memorials and public
meetings to focus the general feeling of the community on matters of
common interest as well as to attract the government’s attention towards
grievances of the people.
Phirozeshah Mehta was one of the founder members of the Indian
National Congress and soon came to be recognised as one of its pillars.
A moderate and constitutionalist, Mehta was elected President of the
Congress in 1890.  He put the case of the Congress in a nutshell when
he said that it had survived the ridicule, abuse, misrepresentation and
charges of sedition and disloyalty. However, like Gokhale, he differed
from the radicals like Tilak as to the methods and course of action to be
followed by it. According to Mehta :
“It is because the masses are still unable to articulate definite
political demands that the functions and duty devolve upon their educated
and enlightened compatriots to feel to understand and to interpret their
grievances and requirements and to suggest and indicate how these
can best be redressed and met.
By 1890, Phirozeshah Mehta’s position in the political life of
Maharashtra and at the all India level had become almost unassailable.
He was President of the Congress in 1890; a member of the Bombay
Legislative Council from 1887 to 1893; in 1893, he was elected to the
Viceroy’s Legislative Council. His position within the Bombay Presidency
Association was equally strong. He had close personal contacts with J.
N. T ata and D. M. Petit, the leading capitalists of Bombay. Thus he came
to dominate the city of Bombay, and was hailed as the “Lion of Bombay.
The differences between the Moderates and the Extremists ideas
culminated in an open split at the Surat Session of the Indian National
Congress (1907). The split  remained unlit the death of Phirozeshah, G.
K. Gokhale and Subramanya Ayer in 1915. Bereft of Mehta and Gokhale,
the Moderate-dominated Congress could not keep the Extremists out
any longer and the two factions were united at the Lucknow session of
the Congress in 1916.
Phirozeshah Mehta was a staunch nationalist. He believed that
despite differences India was acquiring a general will as a political
community which gave it the status of a nation, a consciousness of
political unity. This spirit was evident, he believed, in the Congress. The
members of the Congress “met together as men on the common basis
of nationality influenced for weal of woe by the system of administration,
urged by like impulses to secure like rights and be relieved of like burdens
...” , he said.
BADRUDDIN
 
TYABJI
 
(1844-1906)
 
:
Badruddin Tyabji was one of the prominent nationalist leaders of
Bombay. Born in a family of Arab descent, he was educated first in a
Muslim Madrasa, and then in the Elphinstone Institute of Bombay. His
western education inspired him in the ideas of political freedom and
equality, and generated in him the spirit of public work and political
aspiration.
He was drawn to politics in 1878 by Lytton’s notorious Vernacular
Press Act. Tyabji rose to the position of eminence in the Company of
leaders like Phirozeshah Mehta, K .T . T elang, R. G . Bhandarkar and V N
Mandlik. According to R.C. Majumdar “the leadership of the so-called
triumvirate, namely Kashinath Trimbak T elang. Phirozeshah Mehta and
Badruddin Tyabji greatly helped in the evolution of political ideas and
organisations in Bombay.