KONGU NAATTIL THOMAS MUNROE
Idaippadi Amudhan
Anuradha Pathippagam, 9 Jalakantapuram Road, Idappadi -- 637 101 Price: Rs.145
India during the British Raj brought some colourful personalities into limelight; Thomas Munroe is undoubtedly one of them.
Amudhan has done meticulous research on the role played by Munroe in the Kongu region. The writer has relied on historical records from the district manuals and gazetteers of Salem and Coimbatore, besides the biographies by G.R. Gleig, Alexander Arbuthnot, John Broadshah, P.R. Krishnaswamy, M. Arokiasamy and K.K. Pillai, as well as, three editorials of The Hindu from 1878 to 1978. What makes this book absorbing is the way he has strung the incidents together.
Munroe’s love for India, and particularly Dharmapuri in Salem district, comes out loud and clear. He considered seven years of his work in the area as a golden period.
For being posted in Dharmapuri, Munroe showed his gratitude to George Kippen in Fort St. George. Later as Governor, he helped I.M. Heath to establish Salem as the source for iron ore exports. He did not spare officials, whether British or Indian, who had indulged in corruption.
While Munroe introduced the ‘ryotwari’ system for direct payment of taxes by farmers, he fought with his own masters to reduce taxes on weavers. As Deputy Collector, Salem, Munroe had insisted that the Collectors are fluent in local language of the people. Later, he also distinguished himself in the British Army, during wars in the region.
Enriched with letters to his parents, siblings and friends, the book reveals the character of the protagonist. In his letter to his brother James living in Krishnagiri, Munroe wrote: “Do exercises daily in the morning. Be nice to your colleagues in the Army. Along with Maj. Cuppage and Capt. Irton and others, go round the place; it is helpful for body and mind. You would come to know more about the people. Please ensure your expenses are manageable within your salary, but don’t be a miser.”
Munroe faced challenges from his own men in the latter part of his life. However, William Thackeray and Charles Carpenter were closer to him. Novelist Thackeray’s fictional character ‘Colonel Newcome’ is none other than Munroe, quotes Amudhan. Carpenter’s sister was married to novelist Walter Scott. Carpenter died in Salem and his cemetery is found near Salem Collectorate.
Munroe married when he was 53 to a girl who was 30 years younger. In his letter dated September 15, 1795, Munroe replied to his sister who had found a girl for him, thus: “Even if we marry, I cannot assure her that our married life would be pleasant. While my wife would love to play the melody of flute into my ears, she would show her wrath on servants instead, whenever she is angry with me.”
The final chapter when Munroe contracts cholera and succumbs to it in Gooty, is moving. The book presents an intimate picture of Munroe with authenticity.
Charukesi
