Chapter 4G: Subhash Chandra Bose had reported from German intelligence that the Aga Khan was lobbying for partition of India. BN was still in denial. But he nonetheless decided to open a channel to the Muslim League. He was looking for a promoter to back. Someone with an interest in industry and finance. A gambler who could produce acceleration like no other. He needed a business house in Delhi to rival the Tatas and Birlas in Bombay.
And that man was a small commodities gambler from Calcutta who had moved to Delhi. His name was Ramkrishna Dalmia.
Dalmia delivered to his brief. Backed by unlimited capital, within five years, the narrative had become:
Tata, Birla and Dalmia.
BN knew the playbook. Insurance, banking, value added agro, construction materials. It was cut copy paste. From Punjab to south of Delhi and west of Bengal.
And then a playbook he did not know. Media. He had to have a newspaper. And he wouldn’t aim for anything less than the best.
The Times of India
Ramkrishna Dalmia acquired Bennet Coleman & Co for a sum of Rs 2 crores. This money came from BN anonymously as a deposit in Dalmias banking and insurance companies from where it was used to buy the paper. It was a complete coup. To buy the showpiece of Indian media from the British whilst the British were still in power. Few to date understand who made this happen and how ??
Dalmias job was to make sure the partition did not happen. He wined and dined Jinnah with the objective of getting him to change sides. The puppeteer in London did not like it. And so was born – a lifelong enemies between Nehru and Dalmia. One that made it impossible for Dalmia to thrive after partition. Dalmia had seven wives and seven palaces in Delhi – one for each. He lived life king size.
To get around problems with Nehru, Dalmia transferred Times of India to his son in law Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain. This was meant to be a temporary arrangement based on word of mouth. Sahu Jains son Ashok Jain took over Times of India. By then BNs grand daughter was married to Ramkrishna Dalmias son. The legal battle continues.
But possession is nine tenth’s of law.
Jinnah didn’t change sides and Nehru partnered him to carve a nation each. One each for both of them. And India was divided.
Pakistan was owned by a diplomat – hidden from view. The people of Pakistan were to become a pawn in the hands of who they do not know. Puppets after puppets played their role. Jinnah, Bhutto, Musharraf. It was a democracy that never worked because it was designed not to.
BN had great faith in institutions. He believed the United Nations would never allow the partition of India. What he did not know is the head of refugee resettlement and head of South Asia were both sons of His Holiness the Aga Khan.
It was a rigged match.
The only hope now was the British crown.
And Subhash Chandra Bose.
But the other side knew this as well. But who was the other side ?