It Is about political history of the Sindh Province of Pakistan. In this paper formation and activities of the BRITISH EMPIRE LEAGUE has been recorded for the first time by Dr. Dur Muhammad Pathan

1. British Empire League
Sindh Branch, its activities
1) INTRODUCTION
Karachi Branch of the British Empire League was inaugurated on 5th
March 1906 with
aim to protect and propagate the interests of the Ruling Class and community. London
was the Head Quarter of the League. On the eve of its establishment in Sindh 85
members were enrolled as its members. They consist of various communities such as
Hindu, Muslim ant Parsi besides, Ruling community. Mr. A.D. Young husband was its
founder President, whereas Mr. Webb became its founder Vice President.
In 1907, following were the office-bearers:
President: A.D. Younghusband (commissioner-in-Sindh)
V.President: H.N.Crouch (Additional com.-in-Sindh)
Hon.Secretary & Treasurer: P.Wren (Acting Educational Inspector)
Working/Managing Committee: Mr. A.Lucas (Judicial commissioner),
Col.Westmorland (Commonding Karachi
Brigade)
Mr.H.C.Mules (Collector Karachi)
Sir Edmund Cox Bart (I.G.Police,Sindh)
Col. Travers (South West Borders)
Mr. J.Forrest Bruton (Chief Officer K.M.C)
Dr.V.N.Nazareth, Prof.Sahibsing Shahani,
Mr.Teckchand Udhavdas, Mr. Ghulam Ali
Chagla,Mr.N.D.Dinshaw and Mr.Ysif Ali
Alibhoy.

2. In 1909 following were the office-bearers of the League:
President: W.H.Lucas
V.President: M.de P.Webb
Secretary & Treasurer: C.N.Brockbank
Managing Committee: Brig.General C.H.Westmorland,
Col. C.H. Price
Lt. Col. H.E.Voyle
Commander N.F.J. Wilson
H.T. Robson
Harcandrai Vishindas
Prof.H.C. Shahani
N.E. Dinshaw
Ghulam Ali Chagla
Yousifali Alibhoy
Mir Ayoob Khan
E.L. Price
The British Empire League on the eve of the anniversary of the birth of the
late Queen Empress Victoria celebrated EMPIRE DAY every year since its
inception. The league also arranged lecture program for its members and
citizens. Some of lectures were given on the following topics and dates:
• On 27.01.1912 Vice President of the League delivered his lecture on the
subject of “Sindh and Punjab: to be or not to be”. The speaker dwelt with
the topic with special reference to merits and demerits of amalgamation of
Sindh with Punjab after separating Sindh from Mumbai Presidency. This
lecture program was presided over by Mr. M.E.M. Pratt.
• On 31.05.1912, Dr. Dhalla delivered his lecture on the topic of “East and
West”. It was arranged in Ferer Hall. Dr. Dhalla in his lecture indicated
common factors and different position of East and West.

3. • On 20.01.1914, Mr. H.N. Crouch of Karachi Chamber of Commerce gave
lecture on the topic of “The British Merchants in India”. In his lecture he
threw light on the past, present and future of British Merchants in India.
2) Formation of the Ladies of the Empire Association
This association was formed on 28th
of January, 1921 with the initiate of
Lady M.de P. Webb. In the meeting held in her home, the following aims
and objectives were proposed and passed:
1) To promote social interaction between leading ladies of various
communities,
2) To provide social services to needy individuals and families.
Mr. Neilson was appointed as an honorary treasurer of this association. All
the ladies belonging to the British officers and army men and our important Hindu
and Parsi families were nominated as members of this association. Leading
members were as under:
Dadi Nannavati, Mrs. Aston, Mrs. Sethna, Mrs. Punthakey, Mrs.
Mulchand Khialdas, Mrs. Haji Haroon, Mrs. Vajifder, Mrs. Elphinston, Mrs. Chilty,
Mrs. A.C.Wild, Mrs. R.R.Gibson, Mrs. Homi Mehta, Mrs. P.Bilimora, Mrs.
Limbuwal, Mrs. Hatim Tayyabji, Mrs. Jagannath, Mrs. Hallifax, Mrs. Bowtell-Harris
and Mrs. Karaka etc.
In 1929, the total number of members of the association was 186, regular
monthly meetings were held for collection of donations in cash and kind. The
amount and articles collected by the association were being presented to various
maternity homes and hospitals.
In 1929, following were the office bearers of the association:
President: Mrs. A.C. Wild (wife of additional judicial commissioner)
Vice President: Mrs. R.E Gibson (from British officers)
Mrs. Homi Mehta (from Parsi Community)
Mrs. Haji Abdullah Haroon (from Muslim Community)
Mrs. Moolchand Khialdas (from Hindu Community)

4. Cutter-out: Mrs. D .E. Katrak
Needle work Supervisor: Mrs. P.Bilimora
Honorary Secretary: Mrs. Limbuwal
Honorary Treasurer: Mrs. Tobutt
Member of central committee: Mrs. Hatim Tayyabji, Mrs. Jagannath, Mrs.
Hallifax and Mrs. Karaka
3)Meetings
Meeting held on Saturday, 1st
July 1909 @12 Staff lines, Subject of the Baghdad Railway was
discussed at Some length. Those Present included. Mr. W.H. lucas (President), M.de P. Webb
(V.P), Col: C.H.u. Price, lt.col. H.E Voyle, E.L.Price, Prof. S.C. Shahani (Member of committee)
and some fifteen memners, Several ladies were also present.
The general conclusion arrived @by col. Voyle was that it was to G.Britian’s Present interests to
discourage the building of the line by withholding all financial Support. But Webb challenged
this conclusion and said that it would prove of considerable advantage to India and to Empire
generally.
It was announced that H.E Sir George Clarke, Governor of Bombay had consented to be patron
of the Karachi Branch of this Empire league.
(Daily Gazette Karachi, p/4 Dt: 19th
, July 1909).
• A meeting of members of the Karachi branch of the British Empire league was held on
Saturday 17-07-1909, at 12:00, staff lines, Karachi, when the subject of the Baghdad
Railway discussed at some length. Those present included Mr. W.H. Locas, I.C.S.
President; The Honourable Mr. M.de P. Webb, C.I.E.; Vice President, General C.H.
Wastmoreland, Colonel C.H.U. Price and professor S.C. Shahahni, Memmber of
committee, and some fifteen members, several ladies were also present.
Colonel Voyle delivered an excellent address on the origin, growth and possibilities of
the Baghdad Railway Scheme, dealing with his subject from the historical, political,
commercial and strategically point of view. The general conclusion arrived that by
Colonel Voyle was that it was to Great Britan’s present interest to discourage the
building of the line by withholding all financial support.

5. It was announced at this meeting, that His Excellency Sir George Clarke, Governor of
Bombay, had kindly consented to be Pattern of the Karachi Brach of the British Empire
League. (The sindh Gazette, dated 19-07-1909, Page 4)
• The Annual General Meeting of the Karachi Branch of the British Empire League was
held at the Frere Hall, Karachi on 3rd
August, 1909 (Tuesday), Mr. W.H. Lucas, I.C.S.,
presiding.
The President having taken the chair, called upon the Honorary Secretary to read the
Managing Committees Report for 1908-09. Mr. C.N.Brock-bank responded. During the
past year the Committee had arranged to Meetings, encouraged the celebration of
Empire Day, and obtained full and complete information regarding the difficulties
between Indians and the Transvaal Govt. in South Africa. It had not been part
practicable to take any official action in this last matter, but representations and
enquiries for information were made privately to all the Chambers of Commerce in
South Africa and replies received and copies of official correspondence between the
Transvaal and the Supreme Governments and other publications were available for the
use of Members and Associations who may desire to the study the subject. The roll of
membership now being 61 and of Associations 34. After this the report was
unanimously adopted.
Mr E.L Price proposed that the Managing Committee for the ensuring year
should be composed as follows:-
Br. General C.H. Westmorland, C.B; Col.C.H.U.Price, D.S.O; Lt. Col. H.E. Voyle;
Commander N.J.F. Wilson, R.I.M; H.T. Robson, Esq; Harchandri Vishindas, Esq; Proffessor
Shahibsing C.Shahani; Nadirshaw E. Dinshaw, Esq; Ghulam Ali G. Ghagla, Eaq; Yusafali Ali
bhoy, Esq; Mir Ayub Khan, W.H Lucas, Esq, i.c.s.__President. The Hon. M.M.de P.webb,
C.I.E __vice president; C.N. Brock bank, Esq.__ Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.
Mr. J.Kothari, seconded the proposed. The Hon. Mr. Webb, moved that the
name of Mr. E.L. Price be included in the Managing Committee for 1909-10.
The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr. M.de P.webb addressed the meeting on
the subject of “Mr. Lloyd George’s Budget Proposals” which he understood would be
described as “A New Era in Finance.”
The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the President.
(The Sind Gazette, Karachi; dt: 5.8.1909,P.4)

17. 4) Appeal of local branch Empire league

18. Empire day
“The movement which annually finds expression on the anniversary of the birth of
the late Queen Empress Victoria, has for its main objects the training of the rising
generation in the virtues of loyalty and Patriotism and in the duties and
responsibilities attaching to the membership of British Empire. Empire day is a
day or rejoicing and thanks giving for all British subjects ___rejoicing, because of
the progress already made, and the freedom and security attained under the
aegis of British rule: and thanks giving, because it is impossible to regard their
conditions of the development as we see them through out the various parts of
the British Empire at the present day without a feeling of gratitude to the great
creator of all Empires for the many blessings we now enjoy. Empire day is
officially recognized as a holiday in practically all the Colonies and Dependencies
of the British Empire and although Govt. have not made yet 24th
May a Saturday
Holiday in India, it is nevertheless practically observed as such in many parts of
this great Dependency. Since 1906, the year in which Empire Day was first
observed in Sind, each 24th
May has been recognized as an un official holiday, and
it is hoped that the people of Karachi and of Sind will, this year exhibit the same
recognition of the late Queen “Empress” birthday as hereafter.
(p/4 dt: 25.5.1912 Daily Gazette Karachi)