 |
| Ellapa Balaram |
Introduction-
Rao
Bahadur Ellapa Balaram was a well-known citizen of Bombay and a leading member
of a Telugu community. As a building contractor he erected the new Secretariat,
the new High court, the University clock tower (Rajabai Tower), the Bhandarwada
waterworks and the Colaba point north and South batteries, besides several
spinning and weaving mills, station, and roads etc. Ellapa was a person who
contributed very much in the history of Bombay, he came from a poor family and
lost his mother and father due to plague but still he survived and made himself
as a very famous personality. He was not just a constructor but he was also a
very kind herarted person who tried to protect Bombay from plague. While
checking the data’s related to him the author got the original certificates and
paper pieces which confirms his great achievements.
Legacy
of Ellapa-
Ellapa
Balaram was born in Colaba in 1850, but their native place was Hyderabad. His grandfather
first came to Pune and started dairy industry. Mr. Ellappa’s family was well
known to the British army at poona (Pune) Bombay (Mumbai), Disa and Karachi as
a supplier of milk on a very large skale and with loyalty. When Elappa was 8
months old, his mother died and he was raised by his grandmother. His
grandmother and uncle raised Ellapa like their own son. At that time, there was
no English school at that time, so Ellapa couldn’t learn English, Ellapa used
to visit one European couple to deliver milk. The European couple loved him
like their own son, the European lady taught him proper English.
The
European man was an engineer and he saw that Ellapa was very creative and he
was fast catcher of tings aroud him. Hence, he gave him few lesson on
engineering, drawing and building maps. When Ellapa was 13 years old his uncle
died. “He was adopted by his brother and hence he started using his name
(brother’s name) in spite of his father’s”[1].
In
the milk trade he had earned good reputation for honesty and enterprise. After
his father’s death Mr. Ellappa tried for continue his ancestor’s business. But
as he was very early initiated in the line of building contractor so he meet
with a very famous contractor called Nagu Sayyaji (very famous contractor in
the historical Telagu community),[2]
Balaram visited him and told him that, he is very much interested in
construction business. Now Nagu Sayyaji made him his partner because, Ellapa
was very creative and he had a good construction skill. So, now he became a
contractor from a dairy industrialist.
Soon,
Ellapa progressed in the work of contracts and now he started getting bigger
contracts and started building new secretariats. The map of this new building
was drawn by Colonel Wilson, who actually asked to Ellapa that, “Could you
build this building as per my plan”, then Ellapa said very confidently that
“Yes, I can do it”. Then, he successfully constructed the new secretariat. After
building the new secretariat, Ellapa asked for a recommendation letter from
Colonel Wilson but, Colonel refused to give any letter. Later, when he asked
the reason, Colonel said, there is no need of any letter where this whole
secretariat is your recommendation letter. Before completing 20 years of his
life, Ellapa became one of the most famous personality of Bombay. At that time
he got two contracts at a time. First on was, clock-tower of University of
Bombay and Bombay High court building.
In
1877, Bombay Presidency gone through drought and many people died and migrated
due to unavailability of food and water and many people of Bombay Presidency
came to Bombay city[3].
At that time of drought, the Collector of Sholapur John Grant and he became the
commissioner of BMC. Now, it was the duty of BMC to mobilize all the
drought-hit people at a place and take care of them, feed them. At that time
Ellapa constructed small huts in the city for the victims of drought. At that
time very few people residing in Colaba.
Further
Ellapa constructed Tophkhana in Colaba and near Mahalaxmi. He also constructed
a college building in Indore named as Rajkumar College (Daly College). With
growing popularity, he got many contracts. The British government awarded him
with title ‘Rao Saheb’ in 1891. Before that in 1883 he was honoured with
‘Justice of Peace’ (J.P.). He was the first non-Brahmin to get this honour and
title[4].
In 1896, the threat of plague begins. Many people lost their lives. The British
government and Municipal corporation started a new scheme that- whoever
affected by plague have to immediately shifted to hospital. When there was
shortage occurred for the place of plague victims, Ellapa constructed many huts
for them. Now, the people who were not affected by the plague, Ellapa rented a
place and gave them shelter from his own pocket. The place he took on rent was
in front of BMC office i.e.‘Khoras road’. He also built 1000 huts for
non-affected people, 500 huts in Kamthipura for the people, as there was
shortage of place. At that time Lord Sandhurst who was the Municipal
commissioner congratulated Ellapa for his work. Because of this work, he became
popular among citizens. When the plague started in Colaba he raised funds for
the hospital, gave monetary help and started two wards in hospital under name
of his daughter Mukta and his aunt Laxmibai. There was a convent girl’s school
in Byculla and the head of the convent school whose name was mother Catharine.
She requested Rao Saheb to shift all girls to Versova near Andheri. Rao Saheb
constructed huts in Versova. Mother Catharine named that place, “Balaram
Castle”.
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| Balaram House - Shivam dubey |
People
started blessing him for his works, people appreciated him for his support
during eradication of plague. In 1898, he honoured as Rao Bahadur, at that
time,the leaders of Bombay including D M Petit, Justice Ranade, Sir Bhalchandra
Chandavarkar, Sir Narayanrao Chandavarkar, J.C. Kama, Colonel Wilson, Dr.
Prabhakar, Sir Kareem Bhai Ibrahim, J.C. Wilson, Sir Mir Abdul Ali, Madan Lala
Munshi, Damodar Govardhan Das, they all honoured him. This was the first ever
programme for some Bhahujan. Justice Rande was the president of this ceremony.
In that programmem a Pt. Keshavrav Vaman Pethe
red a Marathi poem titled ‘Rao Bahadur Ellapa Balaram’.
Ellapa,
founded ‘Gyanvardhaka Sabha’ with his friends. For Telugu society he
built a night school. With the help of Gyanvardhaka Sabha’ he organized
lectures in Marathi language. He built a library in kamathipura along with his
friends. He gave timely funds to library. To make library accessable to all he
gave donations to library. He became corporater of Kamathipura and stayed
25 to 26 years. The name of the place Balaram street was given when he was
alive.[5]
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| Rao Bahadur Balaram |
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| Signatures of Various Important people |
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| Sanad Of Rao Bahadur |
His
works for Plague:
In late 19th
century when Bombay was becoming the trade hub many people from other states
came here for better future opportunity. At that time the population of the
Bombay was 820,000[6]. Most of the population around (70%) were
lived in chawls. In September 1896 the first case of Bubonic plague was
detected in Mandvi. It spread rapidly to other parts of the city, and the death
toll was estimated at 1,900 people per week through the rest of the year[7]. The medical facility was not available
properly at those times so the spreading of plague was very fast.
His
father and mother died due to plague only so he wanted to save others from
plague. In 1898, when the symptoms of plague observed again then he organized a
sabha at Telugu Sabhagraha. Balaram was President of that sabha and he
agree to give 125 rupees per month and along with him many other Telugu rich
people like Gangaram Saybu, Narsingh Saybu, Rajaram Jilankar etc. gave 50
rupees each for the recommencement of the hospital. The hospital runs on his
name for more than 2 years. The common people, never tried to going hospital
because their mentality was that if anyone visit a plague hospital, never comes
alive from there.
At the day of Gudi padwa Ellapa
organized a sabha at telugu sabha and donated money and clothes to the people
who lost their everything due to the plague.
During
the three years of plague, Rao Bahadur Ellapa Balaram has taken an active part
in alleviating the sufferings of the people of all the Hindu communities. He
has visited the houses of the sick, removing them to the hospital, and has
attended to the segregation and comforts of the “contacts”. He was the first to
establish the extensive health camp, on Forbs’ road, known as the “Balaram
Camp,” which was capable of accommodating from twelve to sixteen hundred
people. He has also maintained the “Telegu Plague Hospital”. For all this
activities he got honored by the colonial government at that time. His
contribution in JJ hospital is also noticeable. He built Gaurabai hospital in
Kamathipura (present in 13th lane). He also built a dispensary on the corner of
the Balaram street which is now converted into T.B. hospital which comes now
under the B.M.C. he also opened many other clinics also in Kamathipura and near
Bhaykhalla.[8]
In
present 2 buildings are present in sir JJ hospital which was donated by Ellapa
balaram. He also donated huts for plague patients and not plague patents so
that the plague will not come in a direct contact with common people.
He
has his own bungalow in the Balaram Street but now at the same place a building
has been erected named as Balaram Bhavan.
His Death:
His Death:
In
1911 ellapa invited in Delhi Darbar but never became a part of it. Gaurabai his
wife was very ill at that time so he does not wanted to go but gaurabai forced
him to go and at the same day of the festival Gaurabai died and Allapa was
became very ill after that incident.
Ellapa
was unwell from past 2 years. In last month when he passed away, many famous
doctors treated him. But, they were unable to save him. When he died his age
was 64. His dead body was burnt on sandal wood pyre[9].
Many famous people came to pay homage to Ellapa. On the death of Ellapa Balaram
Bombay chronicle, Gyanprakash newspapers has paid a homage. “the death of
Rao Bahadur Ellapa Balaram J.P., Honorary magistrate and one of the oldest
members of the Municipal corporation, occurred on Sunday night at his own
residence at grant road. For the last two years and more he was in indifferent
health and during the last month there was a sudden change of worse which
accelerated his sad end”.[10]
He
started a clinic on his wife’s name, he invested 22,000 rupees for his clinic
and 15,000 to 20,000 rupees for its construction. Now the clinic is under BMC
commonly known as ‘ Balaram T.B. Hospital’.
On
his day of death many newspaper like Sakal covered a proper story of his life.
He did a lot in his short life.
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| Wife of Balaram |
Architectural
style of Balaram T.B.Hospital:
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| Balaram TB Hospital |
1.
|
Built
date
|
1896
to 1899
|
2.
|
Location
|
Balaram
Street, Alibhai Premji Marg(Foras road)
|
3.
|
Townscape(Natural/manmade)
|
Located
at Juction of Balaram street and Mehta Chawk
|
4.
|
Architectural
Description
|
Simple
and modest vernacular style stone structure with minimal ornamentation having
sloping roof with wooden trusses. Municipal dispenseries built in colonial
era fall in the same typology. The walol is made of basalt stone in random
rubble pattern. The corner edges of the building have long and short work.
|
5.
|
Entrance
|
Constructed
mainly to provide free health care for working class population, the city has
many such health centers that have bear minimum functional facilities and
spaces. Has random rubble masonary wall with decorative brackets supporting
the roof.
|
6.
|
Floors
|
G+1
|
7
|
Plinth
|
15c.m.high
Basalt stone plinth
|
8.
|
Walls
|
Malad
stone walls in random rubble masonry
|
9.
|
Floor
|
Wooden
joist flooring.
|
10.
|
Stairs
|
No
stairs
|
11.
|
Openings
|
Rectangular
opening with Florentine arch.
|
Buildings
built by Ellapa:
Ellapa
blaram was a contractor and his main works as a contractor is-
1-
|
Secretariat building.
|
2-
|
Rajabai clock tower of University of
Mumbai.
|
3-
|
High court building
|
4-
|
Topkhana in Colaba, Mahalaxmi
|
5-
|
Rajkumar college (Daly college) Indore
|
6-
|
Free Huts for the girls college in
Versova
|
7-
|
Library in kamathipura
|
8-
|
Huts for plague patents
|
9-
|
Two
buildings in JJ hospital
|
10-
|
Clinics
in Bhaykhalla and in Kamathipura.
|
11-
|
Library
in Kamathipura
|
12-
|
Hospitals
(Gaurabai Hospital, Balaram T.B. Hospital)
|
Conclusion:
Mr.
Ellapa almost from beginning of his career identified himself with every public
movement and function which was set on foot for promoting social welfare. He
was a great friend of all work of mercy, particularly that of the society for
the prevention of cruelty of Animals (The hospital for animal is the proof of
it). To this association he had rendered much service. As he was most loyal to
the British rule he was ever ready to help forward any cause which required
public recognition and cooperation. Mr. Ellapa was very charitable disposed;
and he gave away much money for charitable purposes during his life time[11].
His
genuine sympathy and kind-heartedness were specially observed during the first
three years of plague in Bombay. He spent thousands of rupees to all to
alleviate human misery and destitution caused by the terrible scourge. For all
his works to the public government showed their esteem for him by conferring
upon him the titles of Justice of peace, Rao Bahadur, Rao sahib etc. he was a
member of the municipal corporation for the last 28 years and he worked as an
honorary magistrate ever since the inception of that institution[12].
Ellapa balaram created a milestone in the
field of construction, he lost his family at the early age. He was very
creative and intelligent boy so because of his knowledge and technical skills
he made his name in the society. He was a kind hearted person who donated a lot
of land, money, food, and clothes to the poor people. He opened schools,
libraries, clinics, donated funds for hospitals and created shelters for
homeless people. For his works he got many awards honors etc. He also treated
very well by the colonel governments. His works are unforgettable, he created a
new history of Bombay.
Bibliography:
1- The
times of India May 15,1930
2- The
Bombay chronical September 2, 1914
3- Mumbai
Raviwar Sakal October 14, 1984
4- Gyan
Prakash September 2, 1914
5- Navashakti
November 12,1972
6- Representative men of Bombay presidency
second edition
7- Interview
with Saroj suryavamsi
8- Interview
with Jayant rao suryavamsi
9- Mumbaichya
ubharadita, telagu samajache yogadan.By Manohar kadam
10- Theory.tifr.res.in
The plague Epidemics of 1890’s
[1]
Based on Interview with Saroj Suryavanshi with the author.
[2]
The Bombay chronicle Wednesday September 2, 1914.
[3] It was mainly area of Colaba at
that time, not entire Bombay we see today.
[4]
It was reported in Navshakti newspaper of November 12, 1972.
[5]
From the original visiting card of Ellapa Balaram.
[6]
Theory.tifr.res.in The plague Epidemics of 1890’s
[7]
Theory.tifr.res.in The plague Epidemics of 1890’s
[8]
Based on Interview with Saroj Suryavanshi with the author.
[9]
Gyanprakash Marathi news paper Wednesday September 1914
[10]
The Bombay chronicle, Wednesday September 2, 1914,
[11]
The Bombay chronicle, Wednesday September 2, 1914,
Shivam Dubey
Researcher, Editor and Writer
ShabdaChitra Noida
ShabdaChitra Noida
Email: shivamdubey503@gmail.com
