About Sir Dorabji Tata
Born on August 27, 1859, Sir Dorabji Tata was the firstborn of the visionary Jamsetji Tata, the Tata group Founder. Sir Dorabji Tata not only inherited his father’s business acumen, but also his spirit of selflessness and giving back to the society.
In 1897, Sir Dorabji Tata married Meherbai, daughter of H. J. Bhabha, who was a spirited and sensitive woman with a penchant for English literature and playing the piano. Like her husband, she also strived for social causes during her lifetime, working for issues like higher education for women, and against the purdah system and untouchability. She also represented India at the International Council of Women.
Sir Dorabji Tata’s commitment to advancing knowledge and public welfare was reflected in a wide range of philanthropic undertakings. He established the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, on May 27, 1909, and followed this with a substantial donation to the institute in 1912. His support for higher learning extended overseas, with a handsome donation to the University of Cambridge1, a contribution of £500 towards the provision of illustrations for its forthcoming History of India publication, and the establishment of a chair for Sanskrit studies at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune. In addition, he informed the Reader in Forestry at Cambridge of his intention to make an annual contribution of £100 for five years to support instruction in forestry that would benefit India.
His enduring commitment to public healthcare is equally noteworthy. He made regular annual donations to the Admas Wylie Hospital2, contributed £1,000 towards enhancing clinical facilities for women at the Royal Free Hospital in 19203, and, in 1914, donated his Panchgani property Dalkeith along with 44 acres of surrounding land to Dr Billimoria for the establishment of the Bel-Air Tuberculosis Sanatorium. The bungalow, which remains part of the Bel-Air Hospital and has served as its ICU and emergency care unit, subsequently continued to receive support from both the Sir Ratan Tata Trust and the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, thereby upholding and extending his legacy of strengthening access to quality healthcare4.
Sir Dorabji Tata’s love for sports also found expression in his philanthropic activities. In 1919, he facilitated four athletes and two wrestlers to participate in the Antwerp Games. As president of the Indian Olympic Council, he financed the Indian contingent to the 1924 Paris Olympiad. Read about Sir Dorabji Tata: Catalyst for India's Olympic Debut
Sir Dorabji Tata Trust
Sir Dorabji Tata believed in the constructive application of his wealth and bestowed his entire fortune to the newly founded Sir Dorabji Tata Trust in 1932. This comprised substantial shareholdings in Tata Sons, Indian Hotels and the allied companies, landed properties, and 21 pieces of his wife’s jewellery, including the famous Jubilee Diamond. The value of his donation was estimated at Rs10 million at the time5.
The funds were to be directed towards the advancement of learning and research, relief work and other charitable purposes, “without any distinction of place, nationality or creed”. He also donated his collection of paintings, statuary and other art objects to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, erstwhile Prince of Wales Museum in Mumbai.
Sir Dorabji Tata passed away at Bad Kissingen, Germany, on June 3, 1932.
Sources:
1The Glasgow article dated 12 February 1913, mentions the donation sanctioned by Sir Dorabji Tata to the Cambridge University | 2The Times of India article dated 17 March 1905, reports the donations given to the Adam Wylie Hospital | 3The Vote article dated 3 December 1920, reports the contribution of Sir Dorabji Tata to the London School of Medicine for Women | 4The Times of India article dated 2 October 1914, titled ‘Sir Dorab’s Tata Gift – Sanatorium at Panchgani’ | 5Preface, The Heartbeat of a Trust - The Story of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust by R.M. Lala
Quick links
About Jamsetji N. Tata | Early days of Jamsetji Tata
Sir Dorabji Tata: Catalyst for India's Olympic Debut
About JRD Tata
About Lady Meherbai Tata
Sir Dorabji and Lady Meherbai Tata: A Partnership of Vision and Service
About Sir Ratan Tata | Sir Ratan Tata - Support to nationalistic causes
About Lady Navajbai Tata
Sir Ratan Tata and Lady Navajbai Tata: A Legacy of Generosity, Grace and Compassion
About Ratan N. Tata | A tribute from Cornell Chronicle
Anecdotes
