For many Indians, the most iconic symbol of love is the magnificent Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Yet, there exists another story that surpasses the grandeur of the Taj Mahal in its portrayal of love, sacrifice, and compassion. This story revolves around Dorabji Tata and his wife, Meherbai Tata.

A Place More Romantic than the Taj Mahal

There’s a place far more romantic than the Taj Mahal. Surprisingly, this place doesn’t require an entry ticket, and it welcomes lakhs of people every day. The visitors often arrive with heavy hearts and tear-filled eyes but leave with smiles of hope. Intriguing, right? Before revealing this place, let us explore the profound question: What is love? To help us answer this, we will look at the life of Dorabji Tata and his enduring love for Meherbai Tata.

Who Was Dorabji Tata?

Many of us are aware of some of the best-known faces associated with the Tata group – Ratan Tata, JRD Tata, and the founder of the empire Jamsetji Tata. But today, we are to discuss about another persona from the Tata clan, namely, Dorabji Tata. This is the reason he is remembered for his contributions to India and also the great lesson in love that his kind will forever be associated with Meherbai.

Dorabji Tata played a significant role in putting India on the map of the modern world. Among them, one of the most notable ones was providing patronage for India’s first hockey team to compete in the 1928 Olympics. Due to his influence, India gained its independence, got its first taste of participation in the Olympics and even got its first Olympic gold. He was successful in his profession, and it is reported that he had an excellent family life particularly with his wife.

Lady Meherbai Tata

Lady Meherbai Tata, daughter of Nariman Sorab Tata, and a born and raised Parsi of Bombay on October 10, 1879 has indeed lived a life of achievement and veneration otherwise termed as SERVICE, dedicating her life to improve the position of women in India. She was born to Hormusji J. Bhabha, a Parsi, who was one of the first Indians to go to England for higher studies. Meherbai was raised by a father who had scholarly background and she later played a significant role through her fight for women’s rights in India.

Early Life and Education Of Lady Meherbai Tata

Meherbai’s childhood, therefore, had a mix of nobility and modernity. His father Hormusji J Bhabha was a prominent educationist who assumed the position of the principal of Maharaja’s College in Mysore in 1884. Meherbai grew up in Bangalore, completing her education at the Bishop Cotton School for girls. She was well educated under her father and she performed well in English and Latin. At 16, she was able to matriculate which was rare for women of her time and continued her education in science and showed interest in literature and music. A missionary lady was employed to take her through English Literature as well as teach her music making her one of the finest pianists of her time who played much sought after in public concerts in Mysore..

The Love Story of Dorabji Tata and Meherbai Tata

On February 14, 1898, Dorabji Tata married Meherbai, and their love blossomed into a deep and strong bond. Two years after their wedding, Dorabji gifted his wife something extraordinary on their anniversary— In 1900, Dorabji gifted Meherbai the stunning Jubilee diamond, a diamond. But this was no ordinary diamond; it was the “Jubilee Diamond,” a stone twice the size of the legendary Kohinoor. The Jubilee Diamond weighed 247 carats and was valued at £100,000 at that time. In today’s currency, this would amount to a staggering ₹131 crores!

This fantastic diamond had been cut by masters in London and many wished to have it in the crown of the Queen of England. But Dorabji, who was sated to have such a wonderful wife in Meherbai, went out of his way to buy this valuable diamond for her. However, Dorabji’s romance extended beyond grand physical gestures- the brooch represented the extent of Dorabji’s love for Meherbai, and she wore it often to official dinners. But this grand gesture, however, was only a part of their story; the next part of which was to come out soon. The couple was a great lover of sports, although they preferred tennis most of the times (belloc 8). Born and raised playing tennis, Meherbai upgraded herself into a confident tennis player and has since then won over 60 trophies in various troupes. She secured the ‘Triple Crown’ the western India Tennis Tournament besides which, she took part in Wimble pod and the All-India Tennis Championships.

Hussey’s engagement in sports was quite special where she liked to represent India and wear a saree during the games. She was also the first Indian women to be depicted playing Olympic tennis — the mixed doubles in the Paris Olympics of 1924. This together with her pride in making the saree worn in the international courts received appreciation from many while her performance on the tennis court made her another strong figure.

It originated from appreciation of who she was. Meherbai was also an empowered wom­an, the first who to demanded women’s voting rights in India. Despite having living in London, she cultural herself as Indian and preferred to wear sarees rather than the European style dresses.

Social Activism and Women’s Rights

Meherbai Tata was not content with the trappings of high society. She used her privileged position to champion the cause of women’s rights in India. She was one of the founders of the Bombay Presidency Women’s Council and the National Council of Women, organizations that worked towards improving the status of women in India. Meherbai was particularly concerned with issues such as child marriage, the purdah system, and untouchability. Her activism was instrumental in the passage of the Child Marriage Restraint Act, commonly known as the Sarda Act, in 1929. This landmark legislation set a minimum age for marriage, thereby helping to curb the widespread practice of child marriage in India.

Lady Meherbai’s advocacy extended beyond India’s borders. In 1927, she spoke in favor of the Hindu Marriage Bill at Battle Creek College (now Andrews University) in Michigan, USA. Her impassioned speech provided a comprehensive overview of Indian culture and history, as well as the customs that impeded the progress of women. She called upon the Government of India to expedite the passage of a proposed bill that would outlaw child marriage, making her a powerful spokesperson for the rights of women in India.

She was active not only in legislation. She fought continuously for the cause of women education arguing that until women in India were trained and empowered, India would closely remain a great country. Whereas her husband Karamsji was an active member of the NDM as well as a stock holder, Meherbai plunged into the administration of a government school and turned it into a model school. Both of them invited experts from England to conduct a survey on the situation with female education in India. The findings of this comprehensive coping study were compiled and used for hand book for several years to advocate and support education for girls in India for college level.

Participation in World War I and Acknowledgment

A rich and influential Parsi philanthropist, Lady Meherbai served as a war worker during the first world war and raised money for war funds. She was associated with Indian Red Cross Society where she used to participate quite often and provided whole hearted contribution to them. During the war, she worked hard, Later in 1919 she was rewarded by the King George V who awarded her as a Commander of the British Empire. To this recognition, she dedicated herself – not only on women’s issues – but on the betterment of society as a whole.

Apart from what was undertaken during the war period, Lady Meherbai resumed her activities in women’s organizations. In 1930 the women was also given the position of the Chairman of the Reception Committee of the All India Women’s Conference laid in Bombay. In her introductory speech delivered during the conference, she explained the major challenges that continue to hinder women’s overall quality of life in India hence their need; these include: education, health, and laws. In her speech she showed awareness of stakes that women have to face and equally, the willingness to combat them, if only women would join forces.

The Great Sacrifice: A Lesson in Love

Despite the affluence and influence of her family, Lady Meherbai remained grounded and dedicated to social causes. Her most famous act of sacrifice came during the financial crisis faced by Tata Steel (then known as Tata Iron and Steel Company Ltd., or TISCO) in the 1920s. When the company was on the brink of collapse,

It was at this critical juncture that Meherbai made a heart-wrenching decision. Understanding the immense pressure on her husband, she mortgaged all her jewelry, including the prized Jubilee Diamond, to raise ₹1 crore. This money was used to pay the workers, ensuring that no one lost their job during the difficult times. Her sacrifice highlights an important aspect of love—giving up something precious for the person you care about.

Because of Meherbai’s selfless act, the Tata Steel company recovered in the following years and eventually became one of the strongest companies in the world. The Tata legacy continued, and Dorabji was able to repay the loans and retrieve Meherbai’s jewelry. This episode showcases that love is not about grand gestures alone but also about sacrifice and standing by each other in times of adversity.

Later, the proceeds from the sale of the diamond were used to establish the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, which has since been at the forefront of philanthropic activities in India. This trust has funded numerous educational and healthcare initiatives, further cementing the Tatas’ legacy of giving back to society.

The Final Chapter: The Legacy of Love Tata Memorial Centre

Despite their successes, tragedy struck the couple when Meherbai was diagnosed with cancer on her 50th birthday in 1931. Lady Meherbai Tata’s life was tragically cut short by leukaemia, a disease that she battled with immense courage. In the final stages of her illness, she was admitted to a nursing home in Ruthin, North Wales, where she passed away on June 18, 1931. Her ashes were interred at Brookwood Cemetery, alongside those of her father-in-law, Jamsetji Tata, and later her husband, Sir Dorabji Tata.

Devastated by the loss of his beloved wife, Dorabji found it hard to continue without her and died a year later, in 1932.

However, Dorabji ensured that his love for Meherbai would endure forever. Remember the Jubilee Diamond? Before his death, Dorabji sold the diamond and used the proceeds to establish a trust in Meherbai’s name. This trust laid the foundation for the Tata Memorial Hospital, one of India’s most famous cancer hospitals.

The Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai, established in 1941, is one of the foremost cancer treatment and research institutions in India, dedicated to Lady Meherbai Tata, who succumbed to leukaemia in 1931. The hospital was a result of the efforts of Sir Dorabji Tata, who wanted to create a specialized institution for cancer care in memory of his beloved wife, who had long advocated for healthcare improvements in India. Lady Meherbai’s passing from leukaemia deeply affected Dorabji, and he pledged a significant part of his fortune toward cancer research and treatment.

Her death was a great loss not only to her family but to the whole nation as well. :In 1932, Sir Dorabji Tata founded the Lady Tata Memorial Trust in her honour. This trust has been supporting scientific research in blood related diseases especially leukaemia to date. The trust has been productive over the years, it has supported medical research and has contributed to the development of cancer treatment in India and beyond.

Per her instructions, Sir Dorabji also founded Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Charitable Trust that offer scholarships to female graduates of Indian universities for postgraduate studies overseas. They have used the Trust to educate themselves and become productive members of society, giving new hope to young Indian women.

Tata Memorial Hospital: A Beacon of Hope

A cancer patient has now turned to the Tata Memorial Hospital situated in Mumbai. The hospital annually treats lakhs of patients without any charges, and Dorabji’s wish was that no one should see their dear ones die of cancer as he did. His passion for the beautiful Meherbai which earlier was symbolised by a precious diamond jewellery became the precious gift of life for innumerable unknown people.

Over time, the Tata Memorial Hospital has served for the capacity enhancement of the institution and its outreach. Today, there are Tata hospitals in different cities such as Kolkata, Varanasi, Tirupati, Bhubaneshwar, Ranchi and Mangalore. Thus, the legacy of Dorabji Meherbai is propagated through these cause-related institutions to offer hope to every soul that is waging a battle with cancer.

Over the years, the hospital has evolved into a world-class cancer care center, offering comprehensive cancer diagnosis, treatment, and research. It also focuses on educating healthcare professionals and conducting pioneering cancer research in India. The Tata Memorial Centre’s ethos reflects Lady Meherbai’s lifelong dedication to the well-being of others, especially in healthcare and education, making it a living legacy of her compassion and advocacy for societal progress.

A Love That Transcends Time

While the Taj Mahal stands as a physical monument of love, Dorabji Tata’s legacy tells a more profound story. Instead of commissioning a grand structure, Dorabji created something that continues to serve humanity long after his death—a hospital that provides life-saving care to the sick. His love for Meherbai was not about the gifts he gave her but about the impact their relationship had on the world.

In contrast to Shah Jahan, who reportedly cut off the hands of the laborers who built the Taj Mahal to ensure no one could replicate its beauty, Dorabji encouraged people to replicate his concept of a free hospital. His love was not possessive or self-centered but open, generous, and compassionate.

The Meaning of Love

Love is about giving oneself to the other without expecting anything in return which has been well illustrated by Dorabji and Meherbai. It’s about supporting and being there during the ups and downs, risking personal possessions for the gains of the community, and creating a timely positive impact.

As you all wish your loved ones a happy Valentine’s day, one must look at the inspiring social responsibility that Dorabji Tata and his spouse Meherbai displayed. Their love has spanned not only years but decades and it has extended into saving lives even after they are gone. Love does not necessarily mean lavishing a person with material things, it simply means making the world a little better just like what Dorabji and Meherbai had done. Share love not just with your partner but with everyone around your home, your friends and relatives.

 

Part played by Meherbai in the advancement of Modern India

Meherbai too had a dream of India, and it was not confined to swift changes alone. She was aware that no nation could ever move forward when its women folks were deprived of their rightful rights. As an ardent activist for women’s rights, education and social change, Meherbai played the pioneering role in creating awareness and opening up the doors to many of the successes that woman of India witnessed in the post independence era.

She was involved in Sarda Act and played a significant role in legal and educational development of India by supporting women education. The organizations she founded, including the National Council of Women and the Bombay Presidency Women’s Council, carried on the struggle for women’s liberation l

Thus, all charitable activities started by the Tata family and affected greatly by Meherbai are truly a great contribution to India’s development. The Tata Memorial Hospital that was set up for the purpose of fighting the disease continues to offer proper cancer treatment services to patients irrespective of their financial capacity. The magnificent structure still carries on the tradition of Meherbai’s selflessness, commitment and dedication to the less fortunate.

The Diamond Pavilion and Lady Meherbai Tata’s Statue in Jamshedpur”

The lighting of Diamond Pavilion and unveiling of the Lady Meherbai Tata statue are steps toward continuing the celebration of the Tatas, not just in Jamshedpur but in the entire India. Rewriting process to design freedom New Diamond Structure is also in the line of establishment of Tata Steel with sense sustainable development. The structure is built from Tata Structura steel hollow sections and reflects the strength of the company as well as the beauty of the Jubilee Diamond – key element of the company’s legacy. With aesthetics of the Diamond Pavilion rising high with the latticework of the building filtering themes through, one almost feels to salute the Tatas who have worked so hard and have sacrificed so much. Like the Howrah Bridge, Bandra-Worli Sea Link, or other iconic projects across the India, the Diamond Pavilion can be attributed to Tata Steel fabrication skills that directly contributed to the creation of the visionary projects that reflected the history and form of the architectural pieces. Beyond an architectural marvel it is a space, a shrine to think and contemplate on the vision of Sir Dorabji Tata and Lady Meherbai Tata. The above addition reasserts the company’s unbreakable association with Jamshedpur; the city in which it was founded more than a hundred years ago.

Conclusion: A Life of Service and Love

Meherbai Tata of course remains a sterling example of what education, hard work, commitment, and humanity can offer / achieve. Not only she devoted herself to her husband and business partner Sir Dorabji Tata but she also fought for women of India and tried to change their fate for better, as well as the fate of millions of other people. Her love for her country her, pride in heritage and her social justice has made a great impression on the history of India.