This study has been initiated by Mumbai's second-oldest library and research centre, the 160-year-old Forbes Gujarati Sabha. It has begun forming a group of intellectuals to study the growth and development, the shortcomings and failures, of 19th century life in what used to be known as the Bombay Presidency -- an area stretching from Lahore in the north to Karwar in the south -- in British India.

"Yes, why look back? That's a question to which I have no easy answer," admitted Prabodh Parikh, convener of the Sabha. But he firmly believes, as do other members of the Sabha responsible for this unique project, that it is after looking back atthe 19th century that one would be able to find answers and explanations to important 20th century matters.

A day-long workshop -- the first step towards formation of a 19th century study group -- was organised in the city in early September. Several noted thinkers and intellectuals like Loksatta editor Dr Aroon Tikekar, Marathi litterateur, professor Pushpa Bhave, history scholar and former head of department of history of University of Mumbai, professor J V Naik, political analyst Dr Prakash Shah, sociologist Meera Desai and others participated in it.

The Sabha, established in the 1860s by an Englishman called Alexander K Forbes, has a rich collection of books on various topics and research material and manuscripts related to the 19th century. "I realised there was exceptionally good research material vis-a-vis the 19th century in Maharashtra, West Bengal and Gujarat. The material could be used to study the century in depth," Parikh said.

The group will aim to study all walks of life in thecentury -- from literature and social history to material culture, from the nature of the Christian-Pagan encounter to the people's response to the legal structure. The Sabha will even fund any project-study, by any Indian national or otherwise, pertaining to any aspect of life in the region in the 19th century.

"There was a Renaissance in India during the 19th century. The pan-India movement marked India's first extremely intimate touch with the western world. Most modern institutions which directly affected Indian life in the 20th century and which will continue to affect it in the 21st were established then. The hectic activity and rapid change in all aspects of life then must have given rise to some kind of a crisis in the minds of the people about how to define themselves. We think it would be exciting to capture this excitement of the age. That's why it is so important to study this century," he said.

The group is expected to also study the 19th century's pointers to the 21st century. "The 19thcentury encounters with the west brought in a lot of unresolved tensions. By studying them we could understand why we have not been able to give up a lot of our preoccupations, for instance, communalism or the obsession with religious discourses. A Murari Bapu discourse pulls a larger number of people and funds than say, some science-related discussion even today, when we are on the threshold of the 21st century," said Parikh.

The Sabha is of the opinion that Indian society, at large, is carrying preoccupations such as these into the 21st century.

Parikh informed the group's membership is open to anyone wishing to study a particular aspect of the century. "One could have an ancestral home in the remote parts of India, or the diaries written by some ancestor who lived in the 19th century which could throw light on the century. All such items are welcome," he said.

A seminar will be organised on January 28 and 29, 2000 in Mumbai, in which several scholars from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and WestBengal will participate.

The Sabha is situated at Kirtan Kendra, opposite Utpal Sanghvi School, JVPD Scheme. Telephone: 634 1871.