Over the years, British Indian Association continued to be a happy mixture of conservatism and progress. Perhaps, it is this facet which would see the BIA maintain its existence when the British had departed and holding on to large plots of land which often covered districts was an unthinkable state of affairs in post-independence India. The founders of the BIA and their successors being products of colonial rule found it prudent to associate themselves with the then powers that be. Little wonder, on a November day in 1857 such leading land owners as Dwarkanath Tagore, Prasanna Kumar Tagore, Radha Kanta Deb had the foresight to rope in the editor of The Englishman, W C Harry when they formed the Zamindar Association which later came to be known a Landholder’s

Society. Can one hazard a guess that the LS took a leaf from the formation of British India Society which came into being in 1839 in England by Adam, an associate of Rammohan Roy ? But the scourge of colonial rule continued to hurt the landed gentry as well as the common people. The former were more acutely aware of its bias towards the white than as the rulers and the subject race were placed on unequal footing before the eyes law. A proposed Bill to bring the British born subjects under the trial of local courts was vehemently opposed

But BIA continued to be the voice of the leading Indians of the day. Its pressure seeking representation culminated in Prasanna Coomer Tagore appointed as “clerk assistant:” for the Legislative Assembly. Its members placed suggestions during the drafting of Indian Penal Code and made their presence felt in the Police Commission while drafting the Police Act. Suggestions came forth for creation of Municipal Corporation of Kolkata now better known as KMC. Gheraos And bandhs were nowhere in the in the horizon and skillfully drafted memorandums were the orders of the day leading to the rolling back of Income Tax Act as well as that of on tobacco. In keeping with the changing times successful professionals like Bankim Chandra Chattopadhaya and Mahendralal Sarkar were inducted into the association. The association’s efforts came to nought when Income Tax Act was reintroduced. But instead of throwing up its hands, the BIA demanded scrutiny by Indian representatives into home charges, PWD, income tax, legislative council beside supporting the agitation against lowering of age for Indian Civil Service examination. The BIA congratulated the Indian National Congress when it was formed in Poona. The INC held its second meeting at BIA and Dadabhai Naoroji’s name was proposed as its president by septuagenarian Joykrishna Mookerji

“the Nestor of Bengal Zemindars” The INC and BIA continued to exchange views and delegates. On 11 November, 1896, a little-known barrister from South Africa walked up the stairs of BIA seeking its help to pen a memorial to the viceroy to draw his attention to the plight of Indians in South Africa. The association geared itself up for the 20i1 century restricting its membership to Indians and landholders. It protested against Bengal Tenancy Act Amendment Bill. The” association also raised its voice against the Government of India Consolidation Act. It deprived a citizen from filing a suit against secretary of state for India complaining the jurisdiction of High Court was being reduced. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who had sought the BIA’s help for a cause dear to his heart took a step forward to endear himself to the soul of the nation when he led an agitation to break the salt law. Living in comfort, the BIA members were not oblivious of the role of salt in the lives of those less fortunate than them. The association supported agitation against the enhancement of salt duty. Though the BIA may not have participate in agitations and courted prison terms like Congress workers, the men clad in three piece suits and the finest dhoti kurta had greater foresight than the men in khadi. The BIA members strongly protested against the Communal Award which the INC chose to support throwing its political wisdom to the winds.