Subodh Chandra Basu Mallik
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Subodh Chandra Basu Mallik (son of Probodhchandra Basu Mallik and Kumundini). He married (1) Prokashini. He married (2) Kamalprova.
Notes for Subodh Chandra Basu Mallik:RAJA SUBODH CHANDRA
The only son of Probodh Chandra, 28th decedent of Dasharath Basu, Subodhchandra was born on 9th February 1879 at 3 P.M. in the Pataldanga Basu Mallik House.
Thereafter his father purchased the land in the east of Wellington Square and constructed the palace at 12, Willington Square. Subodhchandra lived in that house throughout his life.
Subodh lost his father at the age of 9 years only and was brought up by beloved uncle Hemchandra. Hemchandra's son Nirode and Subodh were living like real brothers.
Subodh had his secondary education at City School and St. Xaviers School. He studied intermediate in Presidency College. While he was a fourth year B.A. student, he went to England and got admitted in Trinity College, Cambridge.
In 1903, on return from England, he came in contact with all renowned freedom. . In 1905 Subodh Chandra started a society under the banner of "Field and Academy" in the house of Mahendra Narain Das in Shibnanrain Das Lane. Patriots, Barrister, Govt. Officials and respectable persons of the society were member of the "Field and Academy". Subodh was founder, secretary and all powerful person of the organisation. Deshbandhu Chittaranjan, Rabindranath, A. Choudhri, Mr. Rasul were members of the society.
On 7th Kartik 1312, a big meeting was held under the banner of Field & Academy. Barrister A. Rasul presided over the meeting while speakers included Bipin Chandra Pal and Shyam Sunder Chakraborty. Thereafter on 10th Kartik students had a big rally and a meeting at 22, Radhanath Mallik Lane. The courtyard of the house accommodated 1000 students. This belonged to Kshetra Chandra Basu Mallik, uncle of Subodhchandra. This meeting was presided over by Rabindranath Tagore.
Sachindra Nath Basu, a student of City College proposed a resolution which meant that students were ready to leave Government schools and colleges but not to allow the British Rulers to divide the province. This proposal was supported by Satish Chandra Sinha and Mohammed Siddiqui. Rabindranath in his presidential address encouraged students to join the anti-government movement.
As a result Government Schools did not allow agitators to continue their studies. They were harassed, beaten and arrested.
Subodhchandra seeing the condition of students and the education systems was completely upset. He proposed at a meeting of the Field & Academy to start schools & colleges without waiting for help from Government. He promised to donate Rs. 1 lakh for the initial expenditure of a new college. Next Day, on 9th November 1905, a meeting was held in the Panther Ground to discuss the issue of national college. At the request of all present, Subodhchandra presided over the meeting. Chittaranjan Das proposed the establishment of national university. Hirendra Nath Dutta supported the proposal. Ramendra Sunder Trivedi, Bipin Chander Pal, Shyam Sunder Chakraborty, Moulavi Abul Hussan, renowned educationists and orators of those days narrated the necessity of having national educational institutions. This led to the foundation of Jadhavpur University.
In a meeting of massive attendance in 1906 when he was presiding he declared contribution of 1 lac of Rupee for the formation of National University. This in due Course converted to Jadavpur University
SWADESHI MOVEMENT & SHIVAJI FESTIVAL
In 1905 the general assembly of Indian National Congress was held in Varanashi, Lala Lajpat Rai in his speech made special mention about the brave protest of Bengalis against partition of Bengal. On 3rd December there was a lecture on self-defence at Field & Academy. Those who worked as Volunteer at the festival were given a grand party by Subodh Chandra at his residence.
BANDEMATARAM NEWSPAPER:-
From 1st August 1906, Brahma Bandhab Upadhyay took initiative to publish a national newspaper in English. But without funds no such dreams can be materialised. His friend Shri Haridas Halder started publishing a newspaper from his "Sandhya" press under the style of "Bandemataram."
He approached Subodhchandra for financial help. Subodh agreed to help him. In October 1906, at a meeting in his house, an Editorial Board was formed with Bipin Chandra Pal, Aurobindo Ghosh, Shyamsunder Chakraborty and Hemendra Prasad Ghosh. Bipin Chandra Pal became the Chief Editor. From 1st week of October 1906, Subodhchandra allowed the press, office of Bandemataram to operate from his 2/1, Creek Row residence.
Jugantar, Bandematram, Navshakti, Sandhya provided inspiration to youths for freedom movement. For Bandemataram, Subodhchandra, Aurobindo and Chittaranjan worked together and became very close friends. Slowly, the newspaper came in the bad note of the British Government. On 27th June 1907 an article styled as "Policies for Indians" and 27th July 1907 "Judgement Case" about case against Jugantar Group of freedom fighters were published. Further, articles published in Bengali newspapers about freedom movement were translated and printed in Bandemataram.
On 6th August Government issued an arrest warrant in the name of Aurobindo Ghosh, Editor of the paper. On 11th August Aurobindo surrendered to the police. Shri Girish Chandra Basu, Principal Bangabashi College and Shri Nirode Chandra Basu Mallik were sureties for release of Aurobindo Ghosh on bail.
In May 1908, British Government searched houses of Raja at Calcutta & Varanashi. Bandemataram press & office was also under investigation. On 4th June, again they had a search at the Wellington Square residence. In October 1908, Police Commissioner issued a show cause notice to the Press asking for the reasons why the publication of the newspaper should not be stopped for publishing the article "Death of Narendra Goswami in Jail."
Raja became member of Indian National Congress in 1904. In 1905 at the Calcutta congress he was a prominent worker. In 1906 he went to Surat as one of the delegates from Bengal. In April 1906, the Bengal Provincial conference was held at Barisal. Abdul Rasul was president of the Conference. Subodhchandra went to Barisal to attend the Conference alongwith S.N. Banerjee, Aurobindo Ghosh etc. Police did not allow the Conference to take place and insulted all great people present there. Even they were beaten up by Police. S.N. Banerjee was arrested and fined. Immediately after this incidence Bhupendra Nath Basu proclaimed that British rule in India would be finished shortly. Subodhchandra thereafter traveled widely in East Bengal and advised students to fight for independence of motherland.
He observed that There was no bank or Insurance Company owned by Indians. Subodhchandra remembered the name of Mr. Reed. He was partner of Radhanath Mallik and was responsible for the fortunes of Basu Mallik family. He started a company styled as Reid & Co. Ltd. in 1912. Dalhousie Square. He used to attend his office regularly. He was working as agent of some Foreign banks and Indian banks. However, the business was not in his blood. He started giving loan to friends and relatives who never repaid the same. In 1916, he repaid all depositors from his own fund and closed the banking business. He started life insurance business in 1912. The Board of Directors consisted of Maharaja Jitendra Narayan Bhup, Prince Victor Narain of Cooch Bihar, Priyanath Ghosh, Subodhchandra Mallik, Atal Kumar Sen and Nirode Chandra Mallik.
Reid & Co. Ltd. were managing agents of the Insurance Company. It was the first company registered as life Insurance Company under the Insurance Cos. Act, 1912. The Company had to keep deposited a huge amount with the Government. This company is still in existence with its office at No. 5 and 6 Stephens House.
Advertisement in the newspaper in 1340
"Light of Asia Insurance Co. Ltd. Is an example of dedication to the country and fellow countrymen. Raja Subodhchandra, on one hand, has donated for "College of Engineering & Technology" while on the other hand has established the Insurance Co. for employment and business potential of Bengalis. 23 years back which was dream to us has become reality now. The insurance company of Raja Subodhchandra has drawn all our attention. In future Bengalis will remember this great man and worship him.
By October 1908, he went to Varanashi with family for a change. On 13th October, Police Superintendent of Varanashi, arrested him under Regulation 3 of 1818, first he was placed in Bareily Jail and thereafter in Almora Jail. He was imprisoned for 14 months. Thereafter he was released on February 10, 1910.
During those days he spent millions of rupees in charity. He donated for the education of many freedom fighters. His name is recognised till today as one of the biggest donor for education.
Our young men to-day might not fully know what and who Subodh Chandra was. The title of "Raja" was conferred on him by his admiring countrymen not because of the wealth and social position he had but because of the many qualities of head and heart which made him easily win the hearts of all who came in contact with him. Though born with affluence, his heart bled for his poor and suffering country men.
More About Subodh Chandra Basu Mallik:
Alias: Raja.
Children of Subodh Chandra Basu Mallik and Prokashini are:
Children of Subodh Chandra Basu Mallik and Kamalprova are:
- +Probir Basu Mallik.
- +Madhuri Basu Mallik.
- +Samir Basu Mallik, b. August 10, 1914.
- +Mihir Basu Mallik, b. June 23, 1916.
- +Sujata Basu Mallik.
It will be Vasu Mallik in all cases and not Basu Mallik
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