Merchant Charity and Public Identity Formation in Colonial India: The Case of Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy

Abstract

This article examines the place of public philanthropy in enhancing the role of the Indian merchant in Bombay, India, during the first half of the 19th century. It supplements works that have stressed the indigenous elite’s attempts to contest and negotiate a significant place within the public culture of colonial India. Specifically, it emphasizes the opportunities and difficulties associated with Indian attempts to shape a colonial civic culture conducive to Indian requirements, by example of the establishment of the Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Hospital in Bombay.

Philanthropy, Medicine, and Health in Colonial India

“…First, charitable acts towards the construction of hospitals "served to demonstrate the donors' benevolence and their credentials as community leaders" (Harrison, 2009;Watt, 2012). Second, it was a manifestation of Indian agency to use "Western-style charity in the service of Indian interests" (Palsetia, 2005). Third, it demonstrated an ability to raise funds through public subscriptions to which even common Indians contributed.…”

“…Fourth, establishing modern hospitals, the preeminent symbol of western medicine in non-western countries, signalled a broadening acceptance of western medicine by Indians, and, finally, it helped Indian princes and members of the commercial class establish their progressive credentials (Harrison, 2009) . Several of these philanthropists were in turn rewarded with titles and other awards including membership in the Central Legislative Council (Palsetia, 2005;Sharma, 2012).…”

“…Sir Jamsetji Jeejeebhoy made a donation for Bombay's first general hospital (1845) and set the pattern for others to emulate (Palsetia, 2005;Talwalkar, 1995). This was followed by an obstetric institute to provide specialist medical care for poor women and to which others such as the Maharaja of Baroda also contributed.…”

Pragmatic and Paradoxical Philanthropy: Tatas’ Gift Giving and Scientific Development in India

“…Not only do they flatten significant conceptual distinctions — between charity, corporate social responsibility (CSR), volunteerism and venture philanthropy — they are also marked by historical amnesia. In particular, they disregard the formative influence of imperialism in the modernization of Indian philanthropy, despite historiography on the subject suggesting otherwise (Haynes, ; Palsetia, , ).…”

Citizens in the commons: blood and genetics in the making of the civic

“…Their formulations were elusive, but not unfamiliar: ‘humanity’ and the generalized ‘public good’ are not uncommon beneficiaries of Indian charity and philanthropic giving (Haynes 1987, Palsetia 2005). The available literature on these topics glosses such terms, however, in favor of explicating how particular circumstances modulate traditional giving practices according to context (L.…”