British Empire League

Sindh Branch, its activities1) INTRODUCTION

Karachi Branch of the British Empire League was inaugurated on 5 th March 1906 with aim to protect and propagate the interests of the Ruling Class and community. London was the Head Quarter of the League. On the eve of its establishment in Sindh 85 members were enrolled as its members. They consist of various communities such as Hindu, Muslim ant Parsi besides, Ruling community. Mr. A.D. Young husband was its founder President, whereas Mr. Webb became its founder Vice President.

In 1907, following were the office-bearers:

President: A.D. Younghusband (commissioner-in-Sindh)

V.President: H.N.Crouch (Additional com.-in-Sindh)

Hon.Secretary & Treasurer: P.Wren (Acting Educational Inspector)

Working/Managing Committee: Mr. A.Lucas (Judicial commissioner),

Col.Westmorland (Commonding Karachi

Brigade)

Mr.H.C.Mules (Collector Karachi)

Sir Edmund Cox Bart (I.G.Police,Sindh)

Col. Travers (South West Borders)

Mr. J.Forrest Bruton (Chief Officer K.M.C)

Dr.V.N.Nazareth, Prof.Sahibsing Shahani,

Mr.Teckchand Udhavdas, Mr. Ghulam Ali

Chagla,Mr.N.D.Dinshaw and Mr.Ysif Ali

Alibhoy.

In 1909 following were the office-bearers of the League:

President: W.H.Lucas

V.President: M.de P.Webb

Secretary & Treasurer: C.N.Brockbank

Managing Committee: Brig.General C.H.Westmorland,

Col. C.H. Price

Lt. Col. H.E.Voyle

Commander N.F.J. Wilson

H.T. Robson

Harcandrai Vishindas

Prof.H.C. Shahani

N.E. Dinshaw

Ghulam Ali Chagla

Yousifali Alibhoy

Mir Ayoob Khan

E.L. Price

The British Empire League on the eve of the anniversary of the birth of the late Queen Empress Victoria celebrated EMPIRE DAY every year since its inception. The league also arranged lecture program for its members and citizens. Some of lectures were given on the following topics and dates:

On 27.01.1912 Vice President of the League delivered his lecture on the subject of “Sindh and Punjab: to be or not to be”. The speaker dwelt with the topic with special reference to merits and demerits of amalgamation of Sindh with Punjab after separating Sindh from Mumbai Presidency. This lecture program was presided over by Mr. M.E.M. Pratt.

On 31.05.1912, Dr. Dhalla delivered his lecture on the topic of “East and West”. It was arranged in Ferer Hall. Dr. Dhalla in his lecture indicated common factors and different position of East and West.

On 20.01.1914, Mr. H.N. Crouch of Karachi Chamber of Commerce gave lecture on the topic of “The British Merchants in India”. In his lecture he threw light on the past, present and future of British Merchants in India.

2) Formation of the Ladies of the Empire AssociationThis association was formed on 28th of January, 1921 with the initiate of Lady M.de P. Webb. In the meeting held in her home, the following aims and objectives were proposed and passed:

1) To promote social interaction between leading ladies of various communities,

2) To provide social services to needy individuals and families.

Mr. Neilson was appointed as an honorary treasurer of this association. All the ladies belonging to the British officers and army men and our important Hindu and Parsi families were nominated as members of this association. Leading members were as under:

Dadi Nannavati, Mrs. Aston, Mrs. Sethna, Mrs. Punthakey, Mrs. Mulchand Khialdas, Mrs. Haji Haroon, Mrs. Vajifder, Mrs. Elphinston, Mrs. Chilty, Mrs. A.C.Wild, Mrs. R.R.Gibson, Mrs. Homi Mehta, Mrs. P.Bilimora, Mrs. Limbuwal, Mrs. Hatim Tayyabji, Mrs. Jagannath, Mrs. Hallifax, Mrs. Bowtell-Harris and Mrs. Karaka etc.

In 1929, the total number of members of the association was 186, regular monthly meetings were held for collection of donations in cash and kind. The amount and articles collected by the association were being presented to various maternity homes and hospitals.

In 1929, following were the office bearers of the association:

President: Mrs. A.C. Wild (wife of additional judicial commissioner)

Vice President: Mrs. R.E Gibson (from British officers)

Mrs. Homi Mehta (from Parsi Community)

Mrs. Haji Abdullah Haroon (from Muslim Community)

Mrs. Moolchand Khialdas (from Hindu Community)

Cutter-out: Mrs. D .E. Katrak

Needle work Supervisor: Mrs. P.Bilimora

Honorary Secretary: Mrs. Limbuwal

Honorary Treasurer: Mrs. Tobutt

Member of central committee: Mrs. Hatim Tayyabji, Mrs. Jagannath, Mrs. Hallifax and Mrs. Karaka

3)MeetingsMeeting held on Saturday, 1st July 1909 @12 Staff lines, Subject of the Baghdad Railway was discussed at Some length. Those Present included. Mr. W.H. lucas (President), M.de P. Webb (V.P), Col: C.H.u. Price, lt.col. H.E Voyle, E.L.Price, Prof. S.C. Shahani (Member of committee) and some fifteen memners, Several ladies were also present.

The general conclusion arrived @by col. Voyle was that it was to G.Britian’s Present interests to discourage the building of the line by withholding all financial Support. But Webb challenged this conclusion and said that it would prove of considerable advantage to India and to Empire generally.

It was announced that H.E Sir George Clarke, Governor of Bombay had consented to be patron of the Karachi Branch of this Empire league.

(Daily Gazette Karachi, p/4 Dt: 19th, July 1909).

A meeting of members of the Karachi branch of the British Empire league was held on Saturday 17-07-1909, at 12:00, staff lines, Karachi, when the subject of the Baghdad Railway discussed at some length. Those present included Mr. W.H. Locas, I.C.S. President; The Honourable Mr. M.de P. Webb, C.I.E.; Vice President, General C.H. Wastmoreland, Colonel C.H.U. Price and professor S.C. Shahahni, Memmber of committee, and some fifteen members, several ladies were also present. Colonel Voyle delivered an excellent address on the origin, growth and possibilities of the Baghdad Railway Scheme, dealing with his subject from the historical, political, commercial and strategically point of view. The general conclusion arrived that by Colonel Voyle was that it was to Great Britan’s present interest to discourage the building of the line by withholding all financial support. It was announced at this meeting, that His Excellency Sir George Clarke, Governor of Bombay, had kindly consented to be Pattern of the Karachi Brach of the British Empire League. (The sindh Gazette, dated 19-07-1909, Page 4)

The Annual General Meeting of the Karachi Branch of the British Empire League was held at the Frere Hall, Karachi on 3rd August, 1909 (Tuesday), Mr. W.H. Lucas, I.C.S., presiding. The President having taken the chair, called upon the Honorary Secretary to read the Managing Committees Report for 1908-09. Mr. C.N.Brock-bank responded. During the past year the Committee had arranged to Meetings, encouraged the celebration of Empire Day, and obtained full and complete information regarding the difficulties between Indians and the Transvaal Govt. in South Africa. It had not been part practicable to take any official action in this last matter, but representations and enquiries for information were made privately to all the Chambers of Commerce in South Africa and replies received and copies of official correspondence between the Transvaal and the Supreme Governments and other publications were available for the use of Members and Associations who may desire to the study the subject. The roll of membership now being 61 and of Associations 34. After this the report was unanimously adopted.

Mr E.L Price proposed that the Managing Committee for the ensuring year should be composed as follows:-

Br. General C.H. Westmorland, C.B; Col.C.H.U.Price, D.S.O; Lt. Col. H.E. Voyle; Commander N.J.F. Wilson, R.I.M; H.T. Robson, Esq; Harchandri Vishindas, Esq; Proffessor Shahibsing C.Shahani; Nadirshaw E. Dinshaw, Esq; Ghulam Ali G. Ghagla, Eaq; Yusafali Ali bhoy, Esq; Mir Ayub Khan, W.H Lucas, Esq, i.c.s.__President. The Hon. M.M.de P.webb, C.I.E __vice president; C.N. Brock bank, Esq.__ Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.

Mr. J.Kothari, seconded the proposed. The Hon. Mr. Webb, moved that the name of Mr. E.L. Price be included in the Managing Committee for 1909-10. The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr. M.de P.webb addressed the meeting on the subject of “Mr. Lloyd George’s Budget Proposals” which he understood would be described as “A New Era in Finance.”

The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the President.(The Sind Gazette, Karachi; dt: 5.8.1909,P.4)

4) Appeal of local branch Empire league

Empire day“The movement which annually finds expression on the anniversary of the birth of the late Queen Empress Victoria, has for its main objects the training of the rising generation in the virtues of loyalty and Patriotism and in the duties and responsibilities attaching to the membership of British Empire. Empire day is a day or rejoicing and thanks giving for all British subjects ___rejoicing, because of the progress already made, and the freedom and security attained under the aegis of British rule: and thanks giving, because it is impossible to regard their conditions of the development as we see them through out the various parts of the British Empire at the present day without a feeling of gratitude to the great creator of all Empires for the many blessings we now enjoy. Empire day is officially recognized as a holiday in practically all the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Empire and although Govt. have not made yet 24th May a Saturday Holiday in India, it is nevertheless practically observed as such in many parts of this great Dependency. Since 1906, the year in which Empire Day was first observed in Sind, each 24 th

May has been recognized as an un official holiday, and it is hoped that the people of Karachi and of Sind will, this year exhibit the same recognition of the late Queen “Empress” birthday as hereafter.

(p/4 dt: 25.5.1912 Daily Gazette Karachi)