The other Ratan Tata, who donated to Mahatma Gandhi's fight against oppression

As India honors the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, we remember his tireless marches, his stirring speeches and his unwavering pursuit of justice. Although much has been written about the Mahatma, there is a chapter that is less well known – one in which he found an unexpected ally in one of India's most important industrial families, the Tatas.

Mister Ratan Tatathe younger son of the legendary industrialist Jamsetji TataNot only was he instrumental in the development of Indian industry, but he also participated extensively in the broader struggles of humanity. His universal outlook and philanthropic heart made him one of the first Indians to provide material support to Gandhiji in his fight against racism in South Africa.

At the beginning of the 20th century, when Mahatma Gandhi was fighting against the oppression of Indians in South Africa, Sir Ratan Tata recognized the importance of this struggle. For him, it was not just a fight for the rights of a community, but a fight against a deeper systemic evil – a fight that reflected the global fight against all forms of racism and oppression. Between 1909 and 1913, Sir Ratan donated a sum of ₹1.25 lakh to support Gandhi's work in South Africa.

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In a November 1909 letter to the eminent social reformer Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Sir Ratan wrote forcefully and compassionately: “I feel I should waste no more time in fulfilling my duty to our brave and suffering brothers in the Transvaal.” was enclosed with a check for ₹25,000 which Gandhi was to use to alleviate the plight of Indians suffering under discriminatory laws. It wasn't a one-off gesture either; Over the years, Sir Ratan's unwavering support remained as he continued to provide moral and financial assistance, strengthening Gandhi's fight for justice.

But Sir Ratan Tata's vision for the upliftment of society was not limited to supporting political struggles. Between 1913 and 1917, Sir Ratan funded archaeological excavations in Pataliputra, which led to the discovery of important artifacts from the Maurya dynasty, including the 100-pillared throne room in King Ashoka's palace.

Sir Ratan was knighted in 1916 in recognition of his remarkable services to humanity. In 1918 his life came to an untimely end when he died at the age of just 47. Nevertheless, his legacy lived on, enshrined in the Sir Ratan Tata Trust he founded in his will.

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Feature image courtesy of Shutterstock AI.