Those Golden Bonds: Jawahar Lal and
Kashmir
D. K. Kachru*, New Delhi
[Reproduced from "Kashmiri Pandits : A Ctiltitral
Heritage" - Edited by Prof. S. Bhatt]
The opening years of the eighteenth century in
India were years of tumoil. Long before the final and formal collapse of
the last of the Moghuls in 1857 A.D., Kashmir was annexed by Nadir Shah in 1739
A.D. In the years of uncertainty and disintegration preceding the annexation, a
number of Kashmiris left their homeland. One of these was Pandit Raj Kaul.
He was a well-known Kashmiri Scholar of Sanskrit and Persian. He is said
to have come to the notice of Emperor Farrukhsiyar, and to have migrated to
Delhi about the year 1716 A.D. A small jagir with a house situated on the bank
of a canal (Nehar) was granted to him.
Six generations of the descendants of Pandit Raj Kaut continued to live in
Delhi with varying fortunes in the troubled times that followed. The Kauls
became known as Kaul-Nehrus because of the Nehru-the Canal. A few
generations later the original family surname became a casualty and Nehru alone
remained.
The grandfather of Pandit Motilal, Pandit Lakshmi Narayan, became the first
Vakil of the Company Sarkar at the shadow court of the Emperor of Delhi.
His father, Pandit Ganga Dhar, was the Kotwal of Delhi before the revolt of
1857. With the fall of Delhi, tragedy struck the family as it did for many
others. Pandit Ganga Dhar lost not only his job but all his possessions.
He and his family ultimately found shelter in Agra as fugitives. It was
soon after that he died at the young age of 34, leaving behind his widow and two
grown-up sons. The third son was bom in May 1861, three months after the
death of his father. This was Pandit Motilal.
The. burden of looking after the stranded family fell on the young shoulders
of the two grown-up sons, Pandit Bansidhar and Pandit Nanda Lal, Pandit
Bansidhar got into the Judicial Service, and was often posted in far away
stations. The brunt of looking after the family was, therefore, bome by
Pandit Nanda Lal. He entered the service of the small state of Khetri in
Rajasthan and rose to be its Dewan. Later, he took to law, started
practice at Agra, and finally settled down at Allahabad to be a prosperous
lawyer after some time. Pandit Moti Lal lived with him and under his
fostering care.
Pandit Moti Lal did not graduate. He was fond of sports, in which he
excelled. He finally took the Local Pleaders' Examination standing first.
He now joined his brother, Pandit Nanda Lal, at the bar. Soon after he
started making a name. Pandit Nanda Lal died in the meantime. He
could not live to see his young brother come to the top of the Allahabad bar,
and to start earning like a prince; also living like one in westernised style in
his palatial new home, which he named Anand Bhavan. Here he looked after
the entire joint family.
It was a little earlier that Jawaharlal was born on November 14, 1889, The
first wife of Pandit Moti lal had died young. Jawaharlal was born of his
second wife, Swarup Rani. She was from a Kashmiri family from Lahore. Her
people had left the home-land only two generations back. She, therefore,
brought a fresh flow of Kashmiri blood into the old Nehru veins.
Unlike his father, Jawaharlal was born in the lap of luxury. Kashmiris
in Allahabad, as elsewhere then, stuck to each other, and were proud of their
composite culture and their place in the order of things.The Nehru household was
a fine example of this composite culture. His pretty and petite mother
apart, Mubarak Ali, the Munshi of his father, was Jawaharlal's early confidant.
Kashmiri ladies, unlike most North Indians, observed no Purdah.
Kashmiri girls and boys mixed freely at feasts and festivals. Jawaharlal
recalls this with nostalgic pleasure and the Shadi-Khana and Nauroz gatherings
of Kashmiris, where he had fun and frolic in abundance.
He was intially admitted to a local Convent School. Later, British
governesses and a British tutor looked after his education and up-bringing at
home. Theosophy affected him powerfully for a time. His father took
him to England in 1905, at the age of 15. Here he was admitted to the
famous Harward School. Later, he joined Cambridge. He left Cambridge
in 1910 after he took his Degree with Honours. He got through his Law
examination, was called to the Bar in 1912, and returned to India after a stay
abroad of seven years.
His father, meanwhile, was assiduously looking around for a suitable Kashmiri
bride for him. After a prolonged search, he succeeded in selecting a
Kashmiri girl from a Kaul family in Delhi. Kamala was her name. She
was about ten years younger than Jawaharlal. The marriage was celebrated
with great eclat in Delhi in the spring of 1916. The following summer both
Jawaharlal and his wife spent in Kashmir - their first visit to the "old
homeland". In November 1917, their first and only child, Indira
Priyadarshini, was born to them.
Jawaharlal's was a sensitive soul. He was offered Judgeship and even a
Ministership by the British. He spurned these. Instead, he decided
to join the freedom movement and face all the resultant privations and
sacrifices. Not all his father's wealth and position could keep him back.
Soon after, Pandit Motilal also joined his son; such was the intimate
interaction of the thinking of the two on their lives and living. Under
the magic spell of Gandhiji, father and son soon became the two principal
torch-bearers of the great war of India's independence.
The first imprisonment of Jawaharlal in 1921 was only a prelude to many more
incarcerations later; to lathi blows at the hands of the Police; to repeated
confiscations of valued property, and its loss; to the beatings of other and
beloved members of the family; to their repeated imprisonment; and finally to a
police lathi-charge not only on ailing Kamala but also on the frail and old
mother, Swarup Rani. Father and son and the other members of the family
gave their all for the country and lived only to serve the nation and help break
its shackles of serfdom. The nation honoured their great sacrifice and
dedication. Pandit Moti Lal was elected the President of the Indian
National Congress twice, son succeeding father in 1929.
Pandit Motilal was a great lover of Kashmir and Kashmiris. Besides, he
was an epitome of the eclectic culture of the Kashmiri. He carried on a
regular correspondence with Maharaja Pratap Singh of Kashmir in his clear and
distinguished hand-writing. He called himself, in some of these letters, a
Kashmiri subject of the Kashmir Ruler. He also entertained Maharaja Pratap
Singh in royal style during his visits to Prayag-Allahabad.
It has been said of Pandit Motilal that he looked like an ancient Roman
emperor. Ramsay Macdonald, the first Labour Prime Minister of England,
considered him the most suitable Indian to be the first Prime Minister of a free
India. Pandit Motilal died in January 1937. In his last fatal
illness, immediately preceding his death, his son described him as "an old
Lion mortally wounded and with his physical strength almost gone, but still very
leonine and kingly". Kashmiris shared a nation's grief, and more than
that, felt a personal sense of bereavement.
Jawaharlal was the hero of us all in the beautiful but then benighted State
of Kashmir. His father's name and his, and the stories linked with them
both, had become a legend. All of us young students then, took a vicarious
pride in the great achievements and sacrifices of father and son for these
brought reflected glory on the down-trodden Kashmiri and showed him what
pinnacles Kashmiris could rise to.
I was a young student of fourteen when the historic Lahore Congress of 1929
was held on the banks of the river Ravi. Pandit Moti Lal was the out-going
President of the Indian National Congress and Jawaharlal, the incoming one.
Both father and son had been honoured in succession by a grateful and admiring
nation with the highest honour that it could confer. I vividly remember
the excitement in Srinagar and the rush we made to Amria Kadal for our copy of
'The Tribune' our only link then with the world outside. What a mad
scramble at the news-stand? Our eyes became wet with tears of joy and we
lapped every word of Jawaharlal's speech declaring independence as the goal of
India.
Jawaharlal was the third Kashmiri to be chosen as the President of the Indian
National Congress, the youngest ever. Pandit Bishan Narain Dhar and Pandit
Moti Lal had preceded him. Another distinguished Kashmiri, Dr. Saifud-din
Kichlu, was Secretary of the Reception Committee at the Lahore Congress.
His fiery welcome address was saturated with patriotic fervour and enthused us
all.
About two years later, in December 1931, 1 was deputed from S. P. College,
Srinagar, along with Pt Hirday Nath Dhar, later a leading member of the Kashmir
bar, to take part in the all-India hiterUniversity Debate in Allahabad
University. On arrival at Allahabad we almost rushed to Anand Bhawan to
have Jawahar Lal's darshan. The spacious gardens and the verandas were
crowded. Jawahar Lal, we were told, was very busy in a meeting inside. We
sent in a slip. "Two Kashmiri students from Srinagar come for your
darshan." To our great joy and excitement, he was with us in a couple of
minutes, leaving his meeting in the middle as he told us. A dream had come
true for the two of us. Our great hero stood there before us in flesh and
blood; a most winsome, charming and handsome youngman. He spent nearly ten
to fifteen minutes with us; enquired also about the subject of the debate we had
come for; and repeatedly exhorted us to keep the flag of 'us Kashmiris' high in
the contest. This memorable meeting was for us a thrilling personal
experience of Jawahar Lal's interest in Kashmir and Kashmiris.
It was in 1936 that the autobiography of Jawaharlal Nehru was published with
its poignant dedication. It provided exciting reading for us. The
explanation given for the sumame Nehru in the opening chapter of the book is
well-known. In Kashmir, Naroos now Nehrus did not, however, have the same
explanation to offer for their sumame. Like a hasty youngman, I
immediately wrote a letter to Jawaharlal explaining all this and requesting him
to reconcile the discrepancy. Pat came his reply pleading ignorance of the
Kashmir story and adding that what he had written on the subject was from his
father's account of it. A copy of this letter is reproduced at the end.
Other books by him followed, to name only a few; 'Discovery of India', 'Glimpses
of World History', 'Letters from a father to his Daughter'. These revealed
the sweep of a great mind, and the soul of a true humanist and patriot.
The autobiography ended with events upto February 14,1935. It was a
soul-stirring narrative. Only twelve years later, Jawaharlal was swo in,
amidst scenes of wild rejoicing and jubilation, as the first Prime Minister of
free and independent India. With its characteristic grim humour history
had fulfilled the wishful prophecy of Ramsay MacDonald with a twist: the son,
not the father, became the first Prime Minister of a free and independent India.
He continued as such from 1947 till 1964-seventeen long and crucial
years-dedicated to the building of a modem state and a modem nation. It
was a herculean task, for the partition had left the country prostrate and
bleeding. He battled like a Colossus to build a modern, democratic, and
secular India. His achievements were great, His failures whatever these be,
stemmed from his intensely human and civilized mind. The world recognised
him as an outstanding statesman, the builder of modern secular India, and the
architect of non-alignment. On May l6,1964, at the age of 74, Jawaharlal,
the beloved of a nation and the champion of the downtrodden and the suppressed
the world over, finally passed away from the terrestrial scene of his noble
activities. A whole nation, and many countries in the world besides, went
into mourning, and millions shed tears of grief.
The Kashmiris felt particularly widowed, for he had a special niche for his
"old homeland" in his great heart; and for all that pertained to the
welfare of Kashmir and Kashmiris. This was so in no parochial sense of the
term, but born of Jawaharlal's romantic love for that lovely land of lakes and
mountains, that ancient seat of India's culture, and the exemplary composite
living.
Jawaharlal often called himself "a child of Kashmir". He
always referred to the Happy Valley as "our old homeland". Many
of his letters from prison bear eloquent testimony to this. In a letter
from prison, dated January 5, 1933, to Gandhiji, he says, "The stopping of
interviews has made me retire a little more into myself, but I have had a
pleasing and friendly neighbour of Himalayas. They seem to rouse in me
ancient memories of the long ago when perhaps, my ancestors wartdered about the
mountains of Kashmir and played in their snow and glaciers." In a letter,
again from prison, to 'My dear Nan'-Mrs. Vijay Laksmi Pandit-dated March
20, 1933, he says, "the call (of Kashmir to me) comes from the higher
valleys leading upto the glaciers and the snows and the beautiful spring flowers
and the autumn hues and the lotus bloom on the Dal Lake", In yet another
letter from prison to "Darling Indu Boy'-Mrs. Indira Gandhi-dated
March 30, 1934, 'Kashmir is a place well worth visiting and as you know, it is
our old homeland and has a special claim on us". Again in letter of
June 15, 1934 from prison to "Indu Darling", he says, "I am glad
you are enjoying your visit to Kashmir and are growing fond of the place...What
is month in Kashmir? But you can look upon this as an introduction to the
place. I hope you have been able to meet some good Kashmiri families.
I am told that better class Kashmiri woman have now all taken to the sari.
Only a few years ago, they wore the phiran'.
He closely studied the Rajatarangini and whatever books he could get on
Kashmir. In his foreword to the Rajatarangini by R.S.Pandit-his scholarly
and erudite brother-in-law, published in 1935, he says. "I have read this
story of olden times with interest because I am a lover of Kashmir and all its
entrancing beauty; because, perhaps, deep down within me and almost forgotten by
me there is something that stirs at the call of the old homeland from where we
came long-long ago....... He has repeated this sentiment often in his letters to
various Kashmir leaders-Sheikh Mohd. Abdullah, Bakshi Ghulam Mohd,, Wazir
Ganga Ram and others. In a short but beautiful message to the Daily
Hamdard of Srinagar, dated July 30, 193,9, he says: "As a child of Kashmir
the fate of that beautiful land is dear to me and I send my greetings."
Again in a message, dated October 4,1939, to the all J & K National
Conference, he says, am continually drawn to Kashmir and as soon as I am able to
do so, I shall visit that beautiful country which it is a privilege for me to
call especially me own."
In a letter from Wardha, dated June 13, 1942, tin "Darling Indu",
he says, 'Two of your letters have reached me here from Srinagar and they have
made me feel a little hungry for the sight of the valley and the mountains that
surround it. But I take vicarious delight in your being there".
Notwithstanding all his longing to visit his "old homeland"
Jawaharlal could go to Kashmir just for twelve days, after a lapse of almost
twenty-three years, in May/June 1940. He had a hectic time. He
attended innumerable parties including one given by Pandit Shiv Narain Fotedar
in the Pratap Gardens. I happened to be present. I still recall the
animated interest that Jawaharlal evinced in those of us who were introduced to
him.
On the conclusion of his 1940 Kashmir visit, Jawaharlal sent a farewell
message to Kashmir in a press statement issued at Lahore on June 12, 1940.
It was published in "The National Herald". The message was a
moving one. It said, among other things, "To the Kashmir Pandit.
I would make a special appeal; for I have claim on them and they have on me.
Let them play a brave part in the mighty happenings of today and seek not a
narrow protection which binds and restricts, but the joy of taking part in the
great movements which are changing this old world of ours."
A few days later he wrote an article on "Kashmir". This was
published in 'The National Herald' in six parts between July 24-31. 1940.
It was in this article that he said of Kashmir : "Like some supremely
beautiful woman, whose beauty is almost impersonal and above human desire, such
was Kashmir in all its feminine beauty of river, and valley and lake and
graceful trees......... Again, "The Hindus of Kashmir proper, chiefly
Kashmiri Pandits, though only about 5% are an essential and integrated part of
the country and many of their families have played a prominent part in Kashmir's
history for a thousand years or more. Even today, they play a significant
part in Kashmir. Pandits are the middle class intelligentsia.
Intellectually they compare favourably with any other similar group in India.
They do well in examinations and in the professions. A handful of them who
migrated to other parts of Northern India during the last two hundred years or
so, have played an important part in public life and in the professions and
services in India, out of all proportions to their small numbers" Again, he
says........ I spoke frankly and freely (to the Kashmiri Pandits at the meeting)
for having been born in a Kashmiri Pandit family I could take liberties with my
own people."
Kashmiris showered their love on him in unstinted measure. They were
proud of their Jawaharlal and took him to their hearts. In a letter, dated
June 3, 1940, from Srinagar to "Indu Darling". Jawaharlal says,
"I have had wonderful time during these few days that I have been here,
Kashmir is surprisingly lovely and when you add to that the gift of a peoples
love the result is apt to be intoxicating".
The next visit made history. It was on June 19, 1946, when he rushed to
the help of this friend and comrade-in-arms Sheikh Mohd. Abdullah.
He did so against the wishes of Lord Wavell and some of his colleagues, for the
Cripps Mission was at Delhi. He was stopped at the border by the Kashmir
Police and his entry banned. He defied the ban, marched on foot into
Kashmir territory, and on June 20, was put under arrest. The Congress High
command had to decide on the Cabinet Mission's award of June 16 with Sir
Stafford and others waiting for Jawaharlal's return. Azad and Patel
implored Jawaharlal to return immediately. Lord Wavell sent a special
plane for him and Jawaharlal returned to Delhi on June 22. The Maharaja
and his Prime Minister had to grind their teeth in chagrin. Soon after
they were obliterated from the scene.
India became independent on August 15, 1947. Jawaharlal took over as
Prime Minister and continued as such till his death in May 1964. The
Kashmir issue became one of international import. Jawahar Lal stood by it like a
rock. Accusations of partiality towards Kashmir were hurled at him.
He stood unmoved. In a speech in Parliament, on August 7, 1952, he said,
"I am called a Kashmiri in the sense that ten generations ago my people
came down from Kashmir to India. That is not the bond that I have in mind
when I think of Kashmir, but other bonds which have tied us much closer.
These bonds have grown more and more in the last five years or so. When I
talk of my ties with Kashmir I am only a symbol of the vast number of people in
India who have been bound together with Kashmir in these five years of conflict
against a common adversary. Our history and our circumstances have made
Kashmir so closely associated with our feelings, emotions, thoughts and passions
that it is a part of our being."
Jawaharlal and his great father Pandit Motilal valued and cherished their
Kashmir bonds and took pride in them and in their composite culture. The
special message that Jawaharlal addressed to Kashmiri Pandits in 1940 is as
relevant today, after forty years, as it was then. The modern, democratic,
secular India of his dreams has to be built fully: brick by brick by you and by
me and by every son and daughter of India, and of Kashmir in particular; a task
that we dare not delay or defer. Long live Jawaharlal and all that he
stood and strived for !
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