MP Family Seeks Repayment of 1917 Loan from British Government

A family in India is asking the British government to pay back a loan of Rs 35,000 given in 1917. This is over 100 years ago.
By Newsroom | History, India |

A family in Madhya Pradesh, India, is preparing to formally seek repayment from the British government for a sum of Rs 35,000 reportedly loaned to the colonial administration in 1917. The family asserts they possess documentation confirming this transaction, which occurred over a century ago during World War I. This claim is now being advanced by the descendants of Seth Jummalal Ruthia, who was a prominent businessman in the Sehore and Bhopal princely states at the time. The family plans to issue a legal notice to the British government to pursue the repayment, which they state has now grown to a substantial amount due to accumulated interest.

‘Rs 35,000 loaned to British in 1917’: Madhya Pradesh family to formally pursue war-time loan given to colonial govt - 1

Historical Context of the Loan Claim

The claim centers on a financial transaction from 1917, during the period of British rule in India and amidst World War I. The Ruthia family, historically influential and wealthy, alleges that Seth Jummalal Ruthia, a known cloth and grain merchant, provided Rs 35,000 to the then British political agent in Bhopal, W.S. Davis.

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‘Rs 35,000 loaned to British in 1917’: Madhya Pradesh family to formally pursue war-time loan given to colonial govt - 2

  • The loan is understood by the family to have been made to support administrative management within the Bhopal princely state.

  • Other reports suggest the British colonial government sought financial contributions from wealthy individuals in India due to wartime financial pressures.

  • The family claims to have in their possession written documentation acknowledging the debt and assuring repayment, described as similar to war bonds.

  • These documents were reportedly preserved within the family for decades before being recently examined closely.

Family's Pursuit of Repayment

The Ruthia family, specifically grandson Vivek Ruthia, a businessman from Sehore, is now taking steps to formally reclaim the loaned amount.

‘Rs 35,000 loaned to British in 1917’: Madhya Pradesh family to formally pursue war-time loan given to colonial govt - 3

  • Vivek Ruthia has stated that he is exploring legal options and is preparing to send a legal notice to the British government.

  • The family contends that the amount, including interest, has grown to represent a significantly larger sum, potentially in the crores of rupees.

  • The family also possesses documents detailing correspondence with the British government, which they believe clearly show the borrowing of money.

  • This revived claim is seen by the family as a matter of historical justice and recognition of their ancestor's contribution.

The pursuit of a century-old colonial debt presents considerable legal complexities.

‘Rs 35,000 loaned to British in 1917’: Madhya Pradesh family to formally pursue war-time loan given to colonial govt - 4

  • Legal observers note that enforcing repayment for such an old debt involves significant procedural and jurisdictional challenges under international law.

  • The family's plan to issue a legal notice is the latest step in a process that bridges colonial financial history with modern legal frameworks.

  • The success of such a claim would hinge on the validity and enforceability of the historical debt instruments within contemporary legal systems.

The Ruthia Family's Legacy and Motivation

For the Ruthia family, the claim extends beyond mere financial recovery, touching upon themes of legacy and historical accounting.

  • Seth Jummalal Ruthia was a prominent figure with extensive landholdings and commercial interests in the Sehore and Bhopal regions.

  • The family views the resurfaced claim as a forgotten chapter in their history now coming back into focus.

  • The revival of this claim began, according to reports, with a routine review of old family papers.

  • The family's financial standing is noted, with some reports mentioning they own several properties in Indore, Sehore, and Bhopal.

Evidence Presented by the Family

The core of the family's claim rests on documentary evidence they say they possess.

  • The family asserts they have all the supporting documents, including written acknowledgments of the debt and promises of repayment.

  • These documents are described as having remained in family custody for decades.

  • Vivek Ruthia indicated that documents found in his grandfather's will detail correspondence with the British government regarding the loan.

Expert Analysis on Colonial Debts

Experts acknowledge the historical context but also the difficulties in such claims.

"Enforcing repayment for a century-old colonial-era debt would involve significant procedural and jurisdictional challenges." - Legal Observers (as cited in Article 3 and Article 4)

This viewpoint highlights that while historical claims may be valid in principle, their practical realization through legal means is often fraught with obstacles related to time limitations, governing laws, and the sovereignty of nations.

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Conclusion and Next Steps

The Ruthia family is moving towards formal legal action to reclaim a sum of Rs 35,000 allegedly loaned to the British colonial government in 1917. Armed with what they describe as documentary proof, including correspondence and acknowledgments of debt, the family aims to seek repayment, which they believe has appreciated significantly over the past 109 years. The planned issuance of a legal notice to the British government marks a determined effort to address what they consider a matter of historical financial justice. However, the endeavor is expected to encounter substantial legal and procedural hurdles inherent in pursuing such a long-standing colonial-era debt within the modern international legal framework.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the MP family asking the British government for?
A family in Madhya Pradesh, India, is asking the British government to repay a loan of Rs 35,000 that their ancestor made in 1917. They say they have documents to prove the loan was given.
Q: Why did the MP family's ancestor loan money to the British in 1917?
The loan was reportedly given by Seth Jummalal Ruthia to the British political agent in Bhopal during World War I. The family believes it was to help the British government manage finances during the war.
Q: What evidence does the MP family have for the 1917 loan?
The family claims to have documents that show the loan was made and that the British government promised to repay it. These documents have been kept by the family for many years.
Q: How much money does the MP family want back?
The family wants back the original Rs 35,000 loan from 1917, plus interest. They believe the total amount owed could now be many crores of rupees.
Q: What steps is the MP family taking to get the money back?
The family is preparing to send a legal notice to the British government. They are also looking into other legal options to try and get the repayment.
Q: Will it be easy for the MP family to get the money back from the British government?
Legal experts say it will be very difficult to get money back for a loan from over 100 years ago. There are many legal and international law problems to solve.