Mumbai has played a significant role in the history of India’s independence. It is a matter of great joy that some prominent pages of Mumbai’s history are coming to light after research.
Mumbai (then Bombay) was the center of the freedom struggle. In this very Bombay city, during the forty years leading up to independence, public meetings that created strong public opinion against the British Empire were held in the courtyard of Shantaram Chawl, as new research has revealed. These meetings, which shook the British government to its core, were being held in the Shantaram Chawl in Girgaon, South Mumbai. The area echoed with speeches from prominent leaders such as Lokmanya Tilak, Barrister Jinnah, Gandhiji, and Sarojini Naidu. These meetings were attended by five to fifteen thousand patriots. One such movement began with the Ganeshotsav of 1895.
Further, events like Shiv Jayanti, Paisa Fund, Swadeshi movement, military recruitment, demand for complete independence, protests against the atrocities of Lord Willingdon, the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms Act, and the Rowlatt Act, which were all hollow promises, were being raised and made public by senior leaders from this Chawl. The hope for freedom and the struggle against the British were spreading across the entire country. Such significant meetings, which left a mark on history, were being held in the grand courtyard of Shantaram Chawl.
The book “Shantaram Chawl’s Smaranagatha”, unveiling this entire history, is published on February 19, 2025. This year marks the 125th anniversary of the Ganeshotsav of Bedekar Sadan, Shantaram Chawl and Malini Block. Hence, this historic research was conducted as an important part of this 125th Ganeshotsav celebration.
Shri Ameya Joshi conducted this research using written copies and materials from the Asiatic Library, Manibhavan, and Kesari Wada. Dr. Aparna Bedekar, Vivek Chhatre, and Padmaja Bapaye assisted with the writing. Anagha Bedekar, Secretary of the Mandal informed, although this entire history has been published in the form of a book today, the history will be brought to life through murals, various tableaux, and a heritage walk while celebrating the 125th Ganeshotsav.
This building, sanctified by the footsteps of more than forty freedom fighters and resounding with numerous meetings, is reviving history with great responsibility and celebrating the Ganeshotsav filled with the patriotism that Lokmanya Tilak envisioned.
Through ‘Lokmanya Ganesh’ , the people of Mumbai and all patriotic Ganesh devotees will have the opportunity to delve into the history of Chawl during Ganeshotsav. Therefore, the mandal is appealing to everyone to visit the celebrations at Bedekar Sadan, Shantaram Chawl, and Malini Blocks in Girgaon, which will begin from August 27.
