John Mathew and Pushkar Sohoni
- Published in print:
- 2021
- Published Online:
- September 2021
- ISBN:
- 9780192844774
- eISBN:
- 9780191933349
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780192844774.003.0013
- Subject:
- History, Cultural History
Bombay did not play the kind of administrative nodal role that first Madras and later Calcutta did in terms of overarching governance in the Indian subcontinent, occupying instead a pivotal position ...
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Bombay did not play the kind of administrative nodal role that first Madras and later Calcutta did in terms of overarching governance in the Indian subcontinent, occupying instead a pivotal position for the region’s commerce and industry. Nonetheless, the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in Bombay were a formative age for education and research in science, as in the other Presidencies. A colonial government, a large native population enrolled in the new European-style educational system, and the rise of several institutions of instruction and learning, fostered an environment of scientific curiosity. The Asiatic Society of Bombay (1804), which was initially the hub of research in all disciplines, became increasingly antiquarian and ethnographic through the course of the nineteenth century. The Victoria and Albert Museum (conceived in 1862 and built by 1871 and opened to the public in 1872), was established to carry out research on the industrial arts of the region, taking for its original collections fine and decorative arts that highlight practices and crafts of various communities in the Bombay Presidency. The University of Bombay (1857) was primarily tasked with teaching, and it was left to other establishments to conduct research. Key institutions in this regard included the Bombay Natural History Society (1883) given to local studies of plants and animals, and the Haffkine Institute (1899), which examined the role of plague that had been a dominant feature of the social cityscape from 1896. The Royal Institute of Science (1920) marked a point of departure, as it was conceived as a teaching institution but its lavish funding demanded a research agenda, especially at the post-graduate level. The Prince of Wales Museum (1922) would prove to be seminal in matters of collection and display of objects for the purpose of research. All of these institutions would shape the intellectual debates in the city concerning higher education. Typically founded by European colonial officials, they would increasingly be administered and staffed by Indians.Less
Bombay did not play the kind of administrative nodal role that first Madras and later Calcutta did in terms of overarching governance in the Indian subcontinent, occupying instead a pivotal position for the region’s commerce and industry. Nonetheless, the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in Bombay were a formative age for education and research in science, as in the other Presidencies. A colonial government, a large native population enrolled in the new European-style educational system, and the rise of several institutions of instruction and learning, fostered an environment of scientific curiosity. The Asiatic Society of Bombay (1804), which was initially the hub of research in all disciplines, became increasingly antiquarian and ethnographic through the course of the nineteenth century. The Victoria and Albert Museum (conceived in 1862 and built by 1871 and opened to the public in 1872), was established to carry out research on the industrial arts of the region, taking for its original collections fine and decorative arts that highlight practices and crafts of various communities in the Bombay Presidency. The University of Bombay (1857) was primarily tasked with teaching, and it was left to other establishments to conduct research. Key institutions in this regard included the Bombay Natural History Society (1883) given to local studies of plants and animals, and the Haffkine Institute (1899), which examined the role of plague that had been a dominant feature of the social cityscape from 1896. The Royal Institute of Science (1920) marked a point of departure, as it was conceived as a teaching institution but its lavish funding demanded a research agenda, especially at the post-graduate level. The Prince of Wales Museum (1922) would prove to be seminal in matters of collection and display of objects for the purpose of research. All of these institutions would shape the intellectual debates in the city concerning higher education. Typically founded by European colonial officials, they would increasingly be administered and staffed by Indians.
Preeti Chopra
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- August 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780816670369
- eISBN:
- 9781452947105
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Minnesota Press
- DOI:
- 10.5749/minnesota/9780816670369.003.0005
- Subject:
- Architecture, Architectural History
This chapter examines colonial Bombay's public institutions at the turn of the twentieth century, where class made its appearance as a new category of differentiation between groups. Despite the ...
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This chapter examines colonial Bombay's public institutions at the turn of the twentieth century, where class made its appearance as a new category of differentiation between groups. Despite the divisions in the public realm, the shared spaces helped in the construction of an “Indian” identity in contrast to Europeans who had their own institutions. At the turn of the century, attempts influenced by the spirit of “nationalism” tried to bring advanced scientific education and control of public institutions to Indians. By the early twentieth century, new medical and scientific institutions supported by native philanthropy sought to exclude European expertise. At the turn of the century, the old joint enterprise between the colonial government and native elite was on the wane. An unexpected outcome of the joint enterprise was that native philanthropy would increasingly be applied toward the nurture of native expertise.Less
This chapter examines colonial Bombay's public institutions at the turn of the twentieth century, where class made its appearance as a new category of differentiation between groups. Despite the divisions in the public realm, the shared spaces helped in the construction of an “Indian” identity in contrast to Europeans who had their own institutions. At the turn of the century, attempts influenced by the spirit of “nationalism” tried to bring advanced scientific education and control of public institutions to Indians. By the early twentieth century, new medical and scientific institutions supported by native philanthropy sought to exclude European expertise. At the turn of the century, the old joint enterprise between the colonial government and native elite was on the wane. An unexpected outcome of the joint enterprise was that native philanthropy would increasingly be applied toward the nurture of native expertise.
Jesse S. Palsetia
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- January 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780199459216
- eISBN:
- 9780199086337
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199459216.001.0001
- Subject:
- History, Indian History
This volume details the life and public career of one of Bombay’s and India’s legendary individuals, who became a merchant-prince and an influential citizen in colonial Bombay. Born of humble ...
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This volume details the life and public career of one of Bombay’s and India’s legendary individuals, who became a merchant-prince and an influential citizen in colonial Bombay. Born of humble origins, Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy started his career collecting and selling empty bottles, and within years became one of India’s earliest success stories having built up a business empire through the nineteenth-century China trade. Jejeebhoy utilized his wealth for copious charity for the people of Bombay and western India, and became one of India’s greatest early philanthropists. Both the contemporary and modern literature on Jejeebhoy has been eulogistic and uncritical. This book presents Jejeebhoy in an unconventional light, as an ambitious and canny individual who aimed to carve out a place for himself and the early Indian commercial class of Bombay under British colonialism. It examines his ‘idea’ of ‘partnership’ between the British and the Indians in the public and private culture of Bombay that aimed to give Indians an influential role under colonialism. The volume also examines Jejeebhoy’s personal motivations and larger civic outlook. It discusses the opportunities available to and the challenges faced by an Indian operating under colonialism. Jejeebhoy belonged to the loyal collaborationist class that emerged under early colonialism. He became the first Indian knight and baronet. The honours conferred on him were in recognition of his loyalty, public service, and great charity. Yet, Jejeebhoy faced many challenges in promoting himself and Indian capacities, and his efforts bear testimony to Indian ingenuity under the colonial regime.Less
This volume details the life and public career of one of Bombay’s and India’s legendary individuals, who became a merchant-prince and an influential citizen in colonial Bombay. Born of humble origins, Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy started his career collecting and selling empty bottles, and within years became one of India’s earliest success stories having built up a business empire through the nineteenth-century China trade. Jejeebhoy utilized his wealth for copious charity for the people of Bombay and western India, and became one of India’s greatest early philanthropists. Both the contemporary and modern literature on Jejeebhoy has been eulogistic and uncritical. This book presents Jejeebhoy in an unconventional light, as an ambitious and canny individual who aimed to carve out a place for himself and the early Indian commercial class of Bombay under British colonialism. It examines his ‘idea’ of ‘partnership’ between the British and the Indians in the public and private culture of Bombay that aimed to give Indians an influential role under colonialism. The volume also examines Jejeebhoy’s personal motivations and larger civic outlook. It discusses the opportunities available to and the challenges faced by an Indian operating under colonialism. Jejeebhoy belonged to the loyal collaborationist class that emerged under early colonialism. He became the first Indian knight and baronet. The honours conferred on him were in recognition of his loyalty, public service, and great charity. Yet, Jejeebhoy faced many challenges in promoting himself and Indian capacities, and his efforts bear testimony to Indian ingenuity under the colonial regime.
Jesse S. Palsetia
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- January 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780199459216
- eISBN:
- 9780199086337
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199459216.003.0001
- Subject:
- History, Indian History
The Introduction notes Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy’s reputation in the history of Bombay and western India, and the historiography on colonial collaboration. It notes his important image as a great ...
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The Introduction notes Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy’s reputation in the history of Bombay and western India, and the historiography on colonial collaboration. It notes his important image as a great merchant-prince, philanthropist, and member of the Parsi community of India. It explores the importance of colonial urban history, and Indians’ contributions to it. It shows how the book proceeds to examine Jejeebhoy as an example of Indian ingenuity under early colonialism in Bombay. The Introduction not only throws light on his idea of ‘partnership’ between the British and the Indians in the public culture of Bombay but also reveals his motivations in engaging with colonialism, and how he deliberately set out to carve a position of influence for himself and the Indian commercial class. It shows how personal ambition and the desire for advancement largely motivated Jejeebhoy, while also noting how his personal motivations embodied the larger inclusive civic milieu that sought to utilize the British–Indian link in benefit of Indian interests.Less
The Introduction notes Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy’s reputation in the history of Bombay and western India, and the historiography on colonial collaboration. It notes his important image as a great merchant-prince, philanthropist, and member of the Parsi community of India. It explores the importance of colonial urban history, and Indians’ contributions to it. It shows how the book proceeds to examine Jejeebhoy as an example of Indian ingenuity under early colonialism in Bombay. The Introduction not only throws light on his idea of ‘partnership’ between the British and the Indians in the public culture of Bombay but also reveals his motivations in engaging with colonialism, and how he deliberately set out to carve a position of influence for himself and the Indian commercial class. It shows how personal ambition and the desire for advancement largely motivated Jejeebhoy, while also noting how his personal motivations embodied the larger inclusive civic milieu that sought to utilize the British–Indian link in benefit of Indian interests.
