| Description | The majority of this material consists of correspondence written to Oswald and Cynthia Mosley relating to their tour of India in early 1925. It also includes a decorated envelope containing calling cards of individuals or businesses based in India, some of which the Mosleys presumably used while they were there, and notes in Cynthia Mosley's handwriting containing the addresses of contacts whom they presumably visited during their stay.
This file also includes some later correspondence addressed to Cynthia, consisting of letters of condolence on the death of her father, Lord Curzon, a former viceroy of India, and letters from Indian friends whom Cynthia presumably met in 1925. The correspondence comprises:
/1 from 'Ralph', Viceroy's Camp, India to Cynthia, 8 Jan, discussing arrangements for her arrival in Delhi and offering his assistance with anything the Mosleys might need during their stay
/2 from the Rajah of Panagal, Hyde Park, Kilpauk, Madras to Cynthia, Government House, Madras, 8 Jan, sent with a copy of 'The Story of Ramayana' which he hopes she will enjoy
/3 from R. A. Narayana Aiyar, 'Vasanthashrama', Sandaipet Street, Madura, to Oswald Mosley, 9 Jan, apologising for not being in Madras to welcome him, commenting that he would have liked to show Cynthia Mosley an educational institution for girls. The letter gives details of the sightseeing that the couple were able to do in Madras, accompanied by Mr M. S. Sundara Sarma
/4 from the editor of 'The New Empire' Calcutta Evening News, to Oswald Mosley, 10 Jan, arranging an interview for his views on 'certain political topics of the day'
/5-7 from K. C. Roy Chowdhry, member, Bengal Legislative Council, Councillor, Calcutta Corporation, to Oswald Mosley.
/5 is dated 12 Jan and concerns possibilities for Mosley to meet representatives from Labour and Trade Unions and to gain information about Indian Labour conditions. He encloses a letter from Latafat Hossein, Secretary of the Kankinarah Labor Union, and gives details about his own credentials, having acted as Private Secretary to Keir Hardie during his Indian visit
/6 dated 13 Jan and confirms Mosley's engagements at Kankinarah Jute Mill, at the India Club to meet Socialists and an evening engagement to preside over a meeting at Y.M.C.A. College branch on 'Peasant Proprietorship'
/7 dated 15 Jan, enclosing a copy of the address that Chowdhry is to make at the India Club and mentions that the local papers have reported Mosley's activities
/8-9 from Theodore Thomas, 21 Burdwan Road, Alipore, Calcutta, to Oswald Mosley.
/8 is dated 13 Jan, enclosing a copy of a letter dated 7 Jan and sent to Mosley in Madras. Both discuss arrangements to Mosley to speak at the Calcutta Parliament and invite him and Cynthia to dine with him and his wife
/9 is undated, making arrangements for Mosley to be collected by car
/10 from the editor of 'The Forward Publishing Limited', 19 British India Street, Calcutta, to Oswald Mosley, 13 Jan, enquiring whether he will grant an interview on his views 'on the present political situation here and in Britain'
/11 from unidentified correspondent, Queen's House, Columbo, to Oswald Mosley, 13 Jan, informing him that he has sent a parcel of clothes for him and Cynthia, and expressing his pleasure that the couple have not been disappointed with India
/12 from the Secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association, College Branch, 86, College Street, Calcutta, to Oswald Mosley, 13 Jan, thanking Mosley for agreeing to preside at K. C. Ray Chowdhury's lecture on 'Peasant Proprietorship'
/13 from Ann M. E. Jackson, 6 Temple Chambers, 6 Old Post Office St, Calcutta, to Oswald Mosley, 14 Jan, inviting him and Cynthia to tea, when it would be possible for Mr Van Manen to show the couple his Tibetan treasures, or alternatively, to meet him at the Asiatic Society of Bengal
/14 from unidentified correspondent, 137 Canning Street, Calcutta, to Oswald Mosley, Government House, Calcutta, 14 Jan, inviting Mosley and Cynthia to tea at Birla Park
/15 from P. Banerjea, Senate House, Calcutta, to Oswald Mosley, 15 Jan, enclosing presentation copies of his books on 'Public Administration in Ancient India', 'A Study of Indian Economics' and 'Fiscal Policy in India'
/16 from Professor G. N. Joshi, Wilson College to Oswald Mosley, 12 Feb, asking him to telephone him
/17 from Archie Kerr, Cairo, 24 Feb, to Oswald Mosley, confirming arrangements for him to meet Sidney Pashe at the Ministry of the Interior and Dr Hasiz Asisi at the Mohamed Ali Club
/18 from unidentified correspondent, Bijay Manzil, Calcutta, to Cynthia Mosley, 26 Mar, offering condolences on the death of her father, Lord George Curzon
/19 from K. C. Roy Chowdhry, member, Bengal Legislative Council, Councillor, Calcutta Corporation, to Cynthia Mosley, 2 Apr, offering condolences on the death of her father, Lord George Curzon, who, he mentions, had been Chancellor of the local university
/20 from G. Sethi, c/o The Labour Association, Jamshedpur, to Cynthia Mosley, 2 Apr, offering condolences on the death of her father Lord George Curzon
/21 from S. N. John Butler, 34, Old Post Office St, Nungansbakan, Madras, to Oswald and Cynthia Mosley, 2 Apr, enclosing newspaper cuttings from the Madras News about the life of Lord Curzon, and mentioning that Colonel Balfour is trying to find employment for him
/22 from B. Chakhavahti, 237, Lower Circular Road, Calcutta, to Cynthia Mosley, 9 Apr, offering condolences on the death of her father, Lord George Curzon, and mentioning his administration in India as viceroy. He writes that 'although I did not see eye to eye with regard to his administration' he is grateful for Curzon's interest in Indian Art and concern for the protection of Ancient monuments
/23 undated telegram from 'Sapru' to Oswald and Cynthia Mosley, c/o Lady Lutyens, Government House, Calcutta, making social arrangements
The remaining letters in this file do not directly relate to the Mosleys visit to India. They consist of:
/24 from Kanji Dwarkadas, 'Crow's Nest', Tardev, Bombay, to Cynthia Mosley, 14 Aug, enclosing articles on the 'Women of India, dealing with child-marriages, women factory workers, and commercialised vice'. The letter also refers to Oswald Mosley's apparent current political ambitions, and mentions that Ratansi has started canvassing votes for the Council of State elections
/25 from T. Rangachariar, Ritherdon House, Vepery, Madras, to Cynthia Mosley, 3 Sep 1930, asking that she extend her hospitality to his son, R. Parthasarathy on his forthcoming visit to England
/26 from R. Parthasarathy, 51 Lancaster Gate, to Cynthia Mosley, 19 Nov 1930, accepting her invitation to have tea with her at the House of Commons |