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Makers of modern India: A tale of two graves in UK
LONDON: Rammohan Roy and Dwarkanath Tagore were allies in social reform, early Indian journalism and much else in colonial Calcutta, but after both died in England
LONDON: Rammohan Roy and Dwarkanath Tagore were allies in social reform, early Indian journalism and much else in colonial Calcutta, but after both died in England in the 19th century, their lives are remembered differently: one is celebrated, while the other lies in a crumbling grave, neglected.
Roy (1772-1833) died in Bristol, while Tagore (1794-1846) passed away on a stormy August day in London. During their time in England, both were the toast of Victorian society, feted at elaborate dinners in elite company, which has been the subject of much recent research in academia.
As the death anniversaries of the two makers of modern India are observed – Roy’s on September 27 and Tagore’s on August 1 – the difference in approach is stark. The state in which the two lie in cemeteries also reflects a selective interpretation of history.
In fact, it was Tagore who paid for Roy’s beautiful Indian-style mausoleum in the Arnos Vale Cemetery in Bristol, where he is buried. The local council, members of the Brahmo Samaj and others gather every year to pay their respects and celebrate his life every September.
Cut to the Kensal Green Cemetery in London, and you will find hardly anyone paying tribute to Dwarkanath Tagore, grandfather of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. His grave lies neglected, while Roy’s mausoleum is well-maintained and preserved.
“There is ambivalence among lovers of Rabindranath Tagore about his grandfather. This is because, it may be fair to say, Rabindranath distanced himself from him for moral and political reasons. Simply put, Dwarkanath was pro-British; this did not sit well with his grandson’s nationalism,” said senior London-based journalist Ashis Ray.
Writer-historian Shrabani Basu added: “It is tragic that the man who constructed the beautiful mausoleum for Rammohan Roy in Bristol, has himself been forgotten, with no one visiting or taking care of his grave.”
Known as “Prince Dwarkanath”, Tagore was one of the most successful entrepreneurs of his time, besides providing the financial muscle for Roy’s social reform activities.He also had a stake in some of India’s first print journals published from Calcutta.
Sumit Mitra, who has researched Tagore’s life, said he was the original internationalist in the Tagore family – not Rabindranath – and needs more recognition for helping modernise the country. “During his lifetime there was hardly any major Indian voice in western narratives, but he managed to achieved much in various fields,” Mitra said.
