BOOK REVIEW Life and Times of An Indiaphile, Whose Legacy Endures in Mumbai
By Pramod Kulkarni
The British empire was built by English adventurers, aided by the spoils of their conquests in India and the other colonies. Many of the progressive technologies the British introduced in India, such as the railway and telegraph, were intended primarily to strengthen their military and economic control. Furthermore, most of the British administrators exhibited racist attitudes and looked upon their service in India as lifting the “white man’s burden.”
Nevertheless, there were a few enlightened individuals, who took a genuine interest in India and Indians. Among these were Mountstuart Elphinstone, who introduced the system of state education in the Bombay Presidency. And now, through a scholarly book written by Dr. Vijaya Gupchup, we are reminded of the vital role of Sir George Birdwood (1832-1917) in promoting goodwill between the East and the West.
Sir Birdwood was born in the small town of Belgaum (now in Karnatak state). His father was General George Christopher Birdwood. He was educated at Plymouth Grammar School in England and Edinburgh University in Scotland, where he took his MD degree. He returned to India in 1854 to enter the Bombay Medical Service. After serving in the Persian War from 1856-57, he went on to perform a series of distinguished services in Bombay.
First, Birdwood worked as a surgeon and professor at Grant Medical College. Next, he became Registrar of the University of Bombay, secretary of the Bombay branch of the Royal Asiatic Society; secretary of the Agri-Horticultural Society; curator, Government Museum; and Sheriff of the City of Bombay.
At the University of Bombay, his physical legacy remains in the form of the Gothic styled buildings of the Senate Hall and the Clock Tower Library.
Through his work at the Asiatic Society and the Government Museum, Sir Birdwood was largely responsible for creation of the Victoria & Albert museum. His interest in the horticultural society led to the development of the Victoria Gardens. Due to the recent trend of renaming British institutions, these are now known as the Bhau Daji Lad museum and Rani bagh.
As Dr. Gupchup explains, Sir George Birdwood’s exceptional talent was his ability to raise funds for his major projects through government grants as well as his friendhip with Indian well-to-do merchants and community leaders such as Dr. Bhau Daji Lad, Juggonath Sunkersett and Cowasjee Jehangier.
After returning to England, Sir Birdwood arranged several exhibitions on India and was even appointed to a post at the India Office to publish works on its historical records.
According to Dr. Gupchup, if Sir Birdwood had a blind spot, it was about Indian art. Birdwood admired Indian crafts, but did not recognize the existence of Indian fine arts and was horrified by the depiction of Puranic dieties asa “eight armed monsters.”
Dr. Gupchup conducted her research at the University of Bombay and Asiatic Society of Bombay, Oriental & African Studies section of the British Library as well as several university libraries in the US.
Dr. Gupchup is now conducting research for a book on a more controversial British administrator: Arthur Crawford (1835-1911), who was the first Municipal Commissioner and is famous as an able administrator as well as for his underhand financial dealings.
Sir George Birdwood is published by Popular Prakashan and can be purchased for delivery in the US via popularprakashan.com.