Chapter 4E: On March 23, 1940 – as BN and Subhash Chandra Bose were locked up in Mcleodganj at the Mortimer House discussing the future of an independent united India – the stone was being cast for the partition of India. Jinnah announced plans for a Muslim state comprising of two parts – one on the silk route between the Middle East and Delhi. And one on the path between Calcutta and the far east.
It was only later that they were to understand that a territory was being marked out whose location would ensure perpetual funding. The Aga Khan was royalty. And he was GOD. There was no question of working to live. You got a territory, collected taxes and got a location which was strategic.
BN did not realise the gravity of the day – which to this day is celebrated as Pakistan day. The newspapers broadly ignored the event. Even the Congress affiliated papers hid the news. BN was convinced that there was no chance of any division. A belief which was to be his failing. And one which would destroy India’s foremost industrialist. To a point where few even know of his existence. Or his role.
Mortimer House was an ironic location for the meeting. This was the erstwhile residence of Viceroy James Bruce Elgin who was head of both India and China. It was home to the first tea house in the world – this was 1860. Its drawing room has a sapphire blue carpet weaved by prisoners of the 1857 revolution. The crockery was hand painted porcelain from the Imperial Kilns. Elgin had acquired thousands of acres personally to build the summer capital of the British Raj. Edwin Lutyen mentioned this property to BN. By 1940, Elgin had long been dead.
On the suggestion of Lutyen, BN had acquired the city of Mcleodganj to make his own summer capital. From the window of his bedroom, he could see snow clad mountains. Mortimer House was the only colonial property that you could drive to in a car. Dharamshala was part of Punjab. And if wealth were a measure, he was King of Punjab. Mortimer House had a resident photographer. IS Johar. Down his family tree, Karan Johar was to lead Bollywood.
Many years later, this building would play host to the Tibetan Govt in exile led by a monk – The Dalai Lama. Who would call this his home. On that day however, Bose was there to discuss forming an Indian government in exile. He acknowledged the contribution of Gandhi to the Congress but believed Nehru was not trustable. He was uncomfortable about Nehrus proximity to Jinnah. And talk of their joint visits to London. And of European women.
But that day, the two stalwarts were debating a whole set of issues. The merchant of war was ok with war, but not one in his neighbourhood. For Bose, the task was to get out of India and raise an army. All this, BN understood very well.
The Japanese monarchy owed him money. Bose left with a promissory note of Rs one crore – to be collected in Japan.
Bose got back to Calcutta.
To be put under house arrest.
