Associations Galore: Spoilt for choice in nineteenth century Calcutta
Once there was nothing, then there was abundance. In the era before the establishment of the Asiatic Society in 1784, Calcutta was a barren land in terms of associational life in the city. Voluntary organisations were non-existent. And then William Jones founded Asiatic Society, and that kick-started the city’s associational life but even Jones could not have anticipated how quickly the idea of volunatary organisations would spread through the city and gain in vitality.
By the end of the nineteenth century there were learned societies that conducted its discourse in Bengali like Gouriya Samaj, Gnana Sandipan Sabha, Sarbatatta Dipika Sabha, Jnanachandrodaya, Bangabhasanusilani Sabha, Nititarangini Sabha, Bidyanmodini Sabha, Bidyotsahini Sabha and others. Learned societies that did its business in English like Asiatic Society, Academic Association, Hindu Literary Society, Calcutta Literary Society, Debating Club, Epistolary Association, Society for the Acquisition of General Knowledge, Bethune Society and others.
There were cultural associations like Sungeet Society, Half Akhra Society, Chitpore Race, a gymnasium, Bagbazar Amateur Club. Associations for social reform like Sarbasubhakari Sabha, Samajonnati Bidhayini Suhrid Samiti, Indian Reform Association and others. Associations for religious reform Atmiya Sabha, Brahmo Samaj, Tattwabodhini Sabha, Atmiya Sabha of Akshay Kumar Datta, Satyajnan Sanharini Sabha of Bhowanipore, Hitaisini Sabha, Sangat Dal or Sangat Sabha, Brahmika Samaj, Bharat Asram.
There were associations for religious reform (non Brahmo) like, Calcutta Unitarian Committee, Calcutta Unitarian Association, Hindu theophilanthropic Society. Economic and Political associations like, Bangabhasa Prakasika Sabha, Land holders’ Society, Deshahitaishini Sabha, Bengal British India Society, Deshahitarthi Sabha or National Association, British Indian Assocaition, Indian League, Indian Association, Mohamedan Association or Anjumani-Islami.
Apart from the above there were associations that focused specifically on education like, Calcutta School Book Society, Calcutta School Society, Vernacular Society . There were associations for technical education like, Mechanics Institutions, Calcutta Lyceum, Society for the promotion of Industrial Arts. There were public libraries like Calcutta Circulating Library, Calcutta Public Library, Public Bengalee Subscription Library, Baranagar Public Library. There were Associations for protection of the traditional society like Dharma Sabha, Patitoddhar Sabha, Sanatan Dharma Rakshini Sabha, etc. There were Associations for protecting occupational and sectional interests like Calcutta Chamber of Commerce, Bengal Chamber of Commerce, Students Association, Graduates’ Association, Kalikata Bamabodhini. Sabha, Railway Passengers’ Society, Bama Hitaishini Sabha. There was a photographic society of Bengal, a society for prevention of Cruelty to Animals, an Union club, an association for re-union of ex-students of the Hindu College, and an association for the improvement of the condition of women.
Several questions arise in the mind for which there are currently no satisfactory answers. What caused this abundance of voluntary associations? What were the consequences of this vibrant associational life? And how did the city’s associational life lose its vitality from 1960s onward?
