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Letters Written While Employed in the Princely State of Baroda 1895 1906
To the Sar Suba, Baroda State
Ootacamund. June 1. 1895 Sir I have the honour to report that I arrived at Ootacamund on Thursday the 30th instant & that I saw H.H. the .. Maharaja Saheb yesterday (Friday). It appears that His Highness wishes to keep me with him for some time farther, I have also the honour to state that as I desired a peon rather at Ootie than on the journey & even so it was not absolutely necessary, I did not think myself justified in taking advantage of your kind permission to engage one at Bombay as far as Ootie.
I beg to remain, Sir, Your most obedient servant, Aravind. A. Ghose.
To Rao Bahadur the Sar Suba Saheb Baroda State.
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Dear Bhuban Babu, I have been here at Nainital with my wife & sister since the 28th of May. The place is a beautiful one, but not half so cold as I expected. In fact, in the daytime it is only a shade less hot than Baroda, except when it has been raining. The Maharaja will probably be leaving here on the 24th, — if there has been rain at Baroda, — but as he will stop at Agra, Mathura & Mhow, he will not reach Baroda till the beginning of July. I shall probably be going separately & may also reach on the 1st of July. If you like, you might go there a little before & put up with Deshpande. I have asked Madhavrao to get my new house furnished, but I don’t know what he is doing in that direction. Banerji is, I believe, in Calcutta. He came up to see me at Deoghur for a day.
Yours sincerely Aurobind Ghose
To an Officer of the Baroda State Baroda. 14th Feb 1903.
My dear Sir, I shall be very much obliged if you can kindly arrange for the letter to the Residency1 to be seen by His Highness and approved tomorrow, Sunday, so that I may be able to leave Baroda tomorrow night. I am sending the draft to the Naib Dewan Saheb for his perusal and approval. I am obliged to make this request because it will put me in serious difficulties if the arrangements I have made are upset. Yours sincerely Aravind. A. Ghose
1 See “Draft of a Reply to the Resident on the Curzon Circular” on the next page. — Ed.
Page – 153 Draft of a Reply to the Resident on the Curzon Circular
My dear Sir, In reference to your letter of the 11th February last, conveying the remarks and views of the Government of India on the representation of His Highness’ Government dated the 19th .. December 1902, I am to express to you His Highness’ extreme disappointment that the Government of India has not seen its way to give a more favourable consideration to the representation, I had the honour to submit in December last. That letter expresses a hope that His Highness will now withdraw his objections to the provisions of the circular. It further makes certain remarks on the delay in sending the protest, the absence of His Highness from Baroda and its results on the administration of the State. I am anxious therefore to place before the Government of India certain facts and circumstances relating to those matters and in explanation of His Highness’ objections to the circular. It must be admitted that the protest reached the Government of India more than 2 years after the circular was issued but in explanation of that circumstance I have to state in the first instance that no copy of the circular has ever been formally and officially communicated to His Highness’ Government and even now any knowledge they may have of the contents of the circular is that which they share with the general public and which is drawn from the portion extracted in the Government Gazette and the public prints of the country. It was indeed His Highness’ wish to disregard the absence of a formal intimation and submit a protest forthwith but I may perhaps be allowed to say that as things are constituted it is naturally felt as no light thing to appeal to the Government of India against its own orders. This course was therefore abandoned under the advice of His Highness’ responsible officers that it would be inadvisable and might be thought premature and uncalled for to submit any protest before the circular was officially communicated to this Government or it became clear on occasions arising that what would involve in the case of the Baroda State an important
Page – 154 change of procedure was really intended to apply to this State. Such occasion first arose in 1902 when in answer to this Government’s intimation of His Highness’ wish to proceed to Europe on account of ill health the Government of India required His Highness to conform to the provisions of the circular for the first time. This was in May 1902 about 2 years after the circular had been issued. Thereupon the protest was forwarded in December last. This explanation of the apparent delay in sending the protest will it is hoped serve to dispel the doubt which seems to be conveyed in your letter as to the strength of His Highness’ feelings on the subject of the circular. The next point which calls for an explanation is the implication clearly conveyed in the letter that no efficient administration of the State is possible during the absence of H.H. from Baroda. With reference to this I beg to submit that the administration of the Baroda State has been systematically regulated by H.H. so that it can be worked by his officers even when he is not present in person at the Capital. It stands therefore on a very different footing from unregulated administrations in which every detail is dependent on the personal will of the ruler. Further His Highness when going to a hill station during the hot months of the year takes with him his staff & office & the supervision of administrative work goes on with the same regularity as at Baroda. Indeed it is a fact that owing to better health & greater freedom from harassment more work is done by H.H. outside than at Baroda. In the case of absences in Europe efficient control is no doubt more difficult but on such occasions H.H. has to delegate some of his powers & those matters which require reference to him can in these days of easy communication be answered in a comparatively short space of time & in urgent cases orders can even be obtained by wire. Incidentally it may be remarked here that in making arrangements for the conduct of administration during the absence of H.H. in Europe H.H. is not allowed a free hand which his close knowledge of the administration & the people & the intimate & permanent manner in which his interests are bound up with the good government of the State
Page – 155 would seem to require. If greater freedom of action were allowed H.H. feels that more satisfactory arrangements could be made than are now possible. It may be added that the administration of a Native State when regularized is largely a matter of routine; no new & considerable problems are to be apprehended & such questions as do arise, can with the thorough knowledge of the administration which H.H. possesses be easily grasped by him even when he is not on the spot. With regard to the discontent consequent on the injury to the administration referred to in your letter, I wish to state that His Highness’ Government is not aware of any genuine dissatisfaction which has resulted from his absence from Baroda. It must be remembered that there are grievance mongers everywhere especially in a Native State where there is the representative of the paramount power to whom they can prefer their complaints whether imaginary or real. The amount of credence given to them must in the nature of things depend on the judgment and discretion of the individual officer who for the time being represents the paramount power. From the reports of that officer, the Government of India derives its information whilst His Highness’ Government has generally hardly any occasion to give its own version of the contents of those reports. This is an inevitable disadvantage of the position in which Native States are at present placed, but as I have said so far as His Highness’ Government is aware no real injury has up to now resulted to the administration by the absence of His Highness from Baroda much less any discontent consequent on such injury. It is true that in 1894 considerable agitation was created in the State against its land policy, but this was due in His Highness’ opinion entirely to the policy itself and not to his absence and the agitation would have soon subsided if the Resident had not unfortunately taken a position of active hostility to that policy which eventually turned out to be an unjustifiable attitude. Further in regard to these trips to Europe it has always to be borne in mind that there is such worry & difficulty in making arrangements for them that they can never be undertaken except
Page – 156 under the strongest necessity. Even were it otherwise the deep interest which H.H. takes in the administration of his state — an interest which has been testified to by more than one Resident — who have warned him against an excess of zeal rather than its deficiency, would not admit of his frequent absence from India. Thus it happens that H.H. has not been out of India for more than 4 years during the 22 years of his active rule & his trips have always been necessitated by considerations of health. It need hardly be stated that in sending the protest nothing was further from His Highness’ mind than either to challenge the policy of Government or to question their authority. What His Highness intended was to place before the Government of India his feelings and present for their consideration the effect which the Circular was calculated to produce on his status and dignity as a Ruler. The Circular it is stated in itself establishes no new principle and that the Government of India always exercises the right to give advice on the subject of His Highness’ trips to Europe. But such advice both by its form and the rare occasions on which it is given is more suited to the position and dignity of His Highness whilst the necessity now imposed of an application for permission in every instance leaves no independent power of movement out of India & gives room for the inference that in the estimation of the Government of India H.H. if left to himself cannot be trusted to enjoy this privilege in a reasonable & judicious manner. At least this is the view which would be taken by the public at large. The advice again was given & received confidentially so that the public had no authentic means of knowing whether the trip was given up because vetoed by the Government of India or by the Prince himself of his own motion. It fell in with the policy of the Government of India to maintain the prestige of Indian Chiefs by allowing their public acts to bear the appearance of having proceeded from the Chiefs themselves rather than by direction of the Government of India. It may be that some Princes fell short of their responsibilities but a general rule which applies equally to all is calculated to discourage those who may have been devoting their whole time and energy to the welfare and good Government of their subjects.
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Your letter no doubt contains an assurance that there is no idea of curtailing the judicious & moderate enjoyment by Native Chiefs of the privilege of absenting themselves from their States. What is a moderate enjoyment, however, would in the nature of things have to be determined by the Resident in the first instance & ultimately by the Government of India. In your letter you calculate the absences of H.H. from Baroda at 71 years since 2 1886, thereby probably implying that they were not moderate. Of these only 4 years were spent out of India & that too during the course of the 22 years of his rule. It would seem to H.H. that this was not an immoderate exercise of the privilege but possibly it is thought otherwise by the Government of India. In the same way though previous absences may not have been frequent still a particular trip may not be considered to be judicious and as it is not possible to define the requirements of a judicious trip, no definite meaning is conveyed to the mind as to the extent to which the privilege will hereafter be allowed. These are some of the objections to the Circular which still hold good. His Highness therefore can only express his regret that the Government of India could not see their way to alter its provisions.
To the Dewan, on the Government’s Reply to the Letter on the Curzon Circular
Confidential Gulmarg Aug 14. 1903. My dear Sir, In reference to the answer of the Government of India to our protest dated the 2d May, 1903, His Highness directs me to write .. that you must think over the whole matter and consider what is to be done. You must clearly understand that it is not because His Highness wishes to go to Europe often, as is popularly supposed, that he stands by his protest, for he does not care about the matter in that light, but because he is bound to defend a natural right
Page – 158 which is being hedged in with humiliating conditions and that without rhyme or reason. It is under such circumstances your part as Minister to consult with Mr.. Bhandarkar, Mr.. Samarth and other officers on whose abilities and devotion His Highness places confidence, and if they merit that confidence, they should surely be able to suggest some course which would meet the peculiar difficulties of the situation, and advise His Highness in a wise and fruitful manner. Yours sincerely Aravind. A. Ghose Secretary
P.S. His Highness wishes you to consult Mr.. Pherozshah Mehta very confidentially on the point, paying him his fees, as to what action he would advise the Maharaja to take. A. A. G.
H.E. R. V. Dhamnaskar Dewan Saheb Baroda
Re Govt. answer to protest against the Circular about visits to Europe.
To the Naib Dewan, on the Infant Marriage Bill
Gulmarg July 8. 1903 Rao Bahadur V. Y. Bhandarkar Naib Dewan Baroda
My dear Sir, Many articles have been published in the papers regarding the proposed Infant Marriage Bill and one or two private representations have reached the Maharaja Saheb and others will, doubtless, have reached yourself. I have already written to you asking you to take steps to observe and carefully weigh all public
Page – 159 criticisms that may seem to deserve consideration. His Highness directs me to write again repeating that he wishes you to go thoroughly into all private representations and the arguments urged on either side in the public prints and draw up a very full and exhaustive memo balancing the pros and cons under each head of reasoning. His Highness does not wish to hurry you unduly, but he would like you at the same time to submit the memo without any unnecessary delay. Yours sincerely Aravind A Ghose Secretary.
Gulmarg July 10 1903
My dear Dr.. Sumant, I am desired by His Highness to write to you expressing his sorrow at the death of your father and his sympathy with you in your great and sudden loss. This sympathy cannot come to very much, but His Highness hopes you will accept it as a tribute and expression of the regard he entertained for your father. Even when Dr.. Batukram was in the State service, before he entered on personal duties, he came much into contact with His Highness, and afterwards when he was in personal service, His Highness had special occasion to become acquainted with his character and personality. In that character there were some fine qualities which His Highness can never afford to forget. One of these was the sincere and steadfast interest he took in the welfare of His Highness and the State; he was a friend with whom His Highness could always converse and interchange views freely, a thing which is very rare amongst our countrymen and particularly in these days when the personality of the Raja is being detached from the administration and the interests of the servants being secured by rules and regulations. As to his professional abilities His Highness has not the requisite knowledge which Page – 160
would entitle him to say anything, but as a personal physician
His Highness had great confidence in him; he was, he thinks, prudent, sympathetic and strong, able to withstand influences,
which are not uncommon in a palace and surroundings, such as obtain in a Native State. His Highness feels that it would be long
before his place can be filled, if indeed it can ever be filled at all.
His Highness would like to do something which would
show in a slight degree his appreciation of the good qualities and services of
Dr.. Batukram and since your father has left two
young sons and a little daughter, His Highness intends to give a scholarship of Rs 25/ to each for ten years while they are being
educated, by which time, he hopes, they will be able to look after their own interests. If at the expiry of this period a farther
continuation of the scholarship is necessary, His Highness will take into consideration a request to that effect.
I am forwarding this letter through the Minister who will give effect to its contents unless you wish anything different.
Yours sincerely
Aravind A. Ghose.
Secretary
Baroda
July 30. 1904.
My dear Mr. Dutt,
I received your two letters this morning and they have been
read by His Highness. There is no necessity to apply to the Government of India previous to engaging your services, now
that you have retired. With an English Civilian it would have been different, but that would have been on the general rule
against engaging Europeans or Americans without the previous sanction of the Govt.
The position is that of Councillor with Rs 3000 British as pay; Baroda currency is not at present in use, as we have given
up the right to mint for a season.
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His Highness sympathises with you entirely about your health and will give you every facility possible in that respect.
The only difficulty that could arise, would be in case of some considerable emergency or some very serious question cropping
up which would necessitate your presence. But as you will very easily understand, such contingencies occur rarely enough in a
state like Baroda and are not really anticipated. The details need not be discussed just now, as they will be satisfactorily arranged
by personal conversation when you come.
His Highness would like you to join as soon as possible
and if you can do so within the month, he will be glad, but he does not wish to put you to inconvenience. If therefore you
require a full month for your preparations, you will of course take it. Please let me know, as soon as you find it possible and
convenient, when you propose to join so as to give me a little notice beforehand.
Yours sincerely
Aravind. A. Ghose
To the Principal, Baroda College
L. V. Palace.
18 9 04.
My dear Mr.. Clarke,
Under His Highness’ directions I have written to the Chief Engineer not to build the rooms for the students’ quarters as yet.
His Highness wants to make some important alterations in the plans.
His Highness would like you, in consultation with Mr.. Krumbiegel if necessary, to draw up a plan showing the relative
positions in which all the buildings it may be necessary to erect in future, will stand, Students’ Quarters, Professors’ houses etc.
This will make it convenient for future building so that buildings may be put up at any time when necessary or desired without
difficulty or inconvenience.
Though we may not build Professors’ houses just now, yet
Page – 162
sooner or later His Highness would like to build some at least; so will you please take the Professors into consultation, and after
fixing on all the requirements and conveniences necessary, make out a model plan which should be accompanied with elevations,
estimates and a computation of the rent which may be charged, all complete, so that whenever it is thought desirable to build,
orders can at once be given without going each time into details and estimates.
Yours sincerely
Aravind. A. Ghose.
A. B. Clarke Esq.
Principal
Baroda College.
To the Dewan, on Rejoining the College
Huzur Kamdar’s Office
28th September 1904.
My dear Dewan Saheb,
I have been directed by H.H. the Maharaja Saheb to join
the College immediately if that were possible so that there might be no delay in my beginning to draw the increment in my salary.
In accordance with these instructions I have reported myself to Mr.. Clarke today, having forwarded the original order of my
appointment in due course. I am also instructed, as there will be vacation for three months, to continue to help
Mr.. Karandikar
in the work of Huzur Kamdar as before.
These directions will, I presume, emend the last paragraph
of the Huzur Order of the 26th September 1904 on the tippan for Mr.. Clarke’s confirmation as Principal, since in the original
order it is directed that the increment shall begin from the day I join the College.
Yours sincerely
Aravind. A. Ghose.
Huzur Kamdar
Page – 163
29 March 1905
May it please Your Highness,
Last December Your Highness was graciously pleased to
grant my request that my brother might be entertained in Your Highness’ service and directed me to remind Your Highness of
the matter subsequently.
Owing to my brother’s ill-health during the last two months,
I have not thought it right to do so as yet, but now that Your Highness is leaving for Europe, I am obliged to take advantage
of Your Highness’ kind permission, hoping that Your Highness will consent to his joining whatever work may be assigned to
him in June after he has recovered his health by a change.
My brother has read up to the F. A. of the Calcutta University. He had to give up the University course for certain family reasons, but since then he has studied privately with my elder
brother and myself and can both speak and write English well and fluently; he has indeed some little literary ability in this
direction. He can speak Hindustani fluently and has learned by this time to read and understand Marathi to some extent.
Your Highness asked me in December in what Department I should like him to be put. A work [?in which]2 his knowledge
of English would be immediately useful would perhaps be most suitable to him at the beginning. But this is a matter which I
would prefer to leave entirely in Your Highness’ hands. Your Highness is aware of the circumstances which oblige me to
request this kindness at Your Highness’ hands and it will be a great obligation to me if Your Highness will graciously keep
them in mind when deciding this point.
Your Highness was once gracious enough to offer under
similar circumstances to make an appointment of Rs 60. A start of the same kind [of] Rs 50 or 60 would be enough to induce my
brother to settle here in preference to Bengal. If Your Highness will give him this start, it will be only adding one more act
2 MS damaged; conjectural reconstruction. — Ed.
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of grace to the uniform kindness and indulgence which Your Highness has shown to me ever since I came to Baroda.
I remain
Your Highness’ loyal servant
Aravind. A. Ghose
I have visited the Vividha Kala Mandir and seen specimens of the work as well as some groups taken for College classes.
The work is admirably conceived and executed; the grouping etc is done with great taste and a keen eye for effect, and the details
of the work brought out with both firmness and delicacy, being especially noticeable indeed for what should be always present
in Indian work, but is too often deficient nowadays, minute care and finish. It is gratifying to note that the photographers
are former students of the Baroda Kalabhavan and that this institution is producing silently and unobtrusively this among
other admirable results.
Aravind. A. Ghose
Vice Principal, Baroda College
28 Feb. 1906
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