Rediscovering David Hare after two centuries

Kolkata recently saw the unveiling of debutante author Sarojesh Mukerjee’s biography on David Hare by novelist and poet Amit Chaudhuri and Dr. Rosinka Chaudhuri, The Life and Times of David Hare: First Secular Educationist of India at a Kolkata bookstore. This was followed by a brief discussion where Mukerjee spoke at length about the early 19th century society and the importance of David Hare in the creation of an education system that would be supported by a sustainable socio-political environment.

Hare, a Scottish gentleman, was one among many who came and helped develop the education and social systems of British India, and his interest in developing academic institutions, encouraging students to attend school, help develop a curriculum for them, provide books in not only English but various vernaculars, keep an eye on students’ health, hygiene and safety, and possibly, unwittingly creating a truant officer who would visit students if they were absent in class. The book also discusses social reforms made by Hare, like his role in providing more freedom to the press, or making important judicial reforms that included the introduction of English in place of Persian (that would ultimately replacing Persian with Bengali for the ease of use in 19th century law courts), or protesting against the exploitation of Indian coolies who were misled and forcibly shipped abroad to work as laborers in colonies, and then helping to set up a proper channel of passage for them.

During the conversation with Mukerjee, Dr. Rosinka Chaudhuri (professor of cultural studies) commented on Hare’s kindness and generosity “many of the schools that Hare began they absolutely focused, and Hare himself focused on merit. Almost half of the students in the schools he set up would be scholarship students.” Mukerjee replied by identifying Hare as a person whose interest in education ran in two different aspects. “One was to set up institutions which were not just schools and colleges. At one point he was running six schools in Kolkata, at places like Thanthania, Pataldanga, etc. Then he was instrumental in setting up Hindu College. Without Hare it wouldn’t have been possible for the Medical College to survive or the Calcutta School Books Society of which he was a patron. The other aspect was his pastoral care which is unrivalled. He had a servant called Kalimashi. If any student was absent from his class, he would send this servant to their home, and if he knew they were sick he would visit them with medicines.” Mukerjee further emphasized upon the importance of the practice of hygiene on the young students who would often turn up dirty and Hare would personally ensure they washed up. However, he also ironically pointed out that Hare died of cholera, possibly contracted from one of his sick students who he had gone to visit.

However, without the likes of Hare, the education system of British India would lag considerably, and with the establishment of the Hindu college came a time where the importance of education in Bengal gave rise to a re-definition of academia at a time where it was a rare and lucrative opportunity. Through this book, Mukerjee has aimed to ensure a few such instances are highlighted to emphasize on the importance of a secular academician in times like that, where Hare would deny entrance of a student to his school on the basis they had learned about Christianity and would try to convert the Hindu students, or rally against being dismissive and non-inclusive about Bengali members of the Jury in a court of law. He also discusses his legacy and how that inspired more and more people to question the rules, the scriptures, and after educating themselves, bring reformation to the society.

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