Mentoring the Next Generation
Dr. Maurice Curé and the Labour Movement
Dunputh Lallah and Dr. Maurice Curé were inspired by similar political ideologies rooted in French and British socialist movements. They joined forces in several battles, including the 1926 campaign for an elected board in Curepipe.
When the Board of Commissioners of Curepipe faced accusations of irregularities, Curé organized a petition drive for an elected board. Dhiraj Seetulsingh was the barrister and Dunputh the attorney representing the petitioners before a commission of enquiry.
Though only partially successful - the Governor nominated a new Board including Rajcoomar Gujadhur and other progressives but not full elections - the campaign demonstrated their commitment to democratic governance.
Their relationship endured. On 1 May 1938, when Labour Day was celebrated for the first time in Mauritius, Dunputh joined Dr. Curé, Pandit Sahadeo Rama, and Emmanuel Anquetil on the rostrum at Champ de Mars before an estimated 20,000 people. The Labour Party they supported would become the force that finally redressed the balance in favor of the working class and led the struggle for Independence.
Curé remained the Lallah family doctor for years, and every family member who knew him speaks highly of this celebrated son of the nation.
Seewoosagur Ramgoolam: "Kewal"
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam spent years in the Buguth household at Curepipe, enjoying a warm relationship with Dunputh Lallah.
When Ramgoolam's brother Ramlall faced financial ruin after the 1926 elections - the Oligarchs conspired to call in his debts, and he lost his 450-acre property overnight - Dunputh helped him find a new home in Coromandel, Beau Bassin.
Upon returning from medical studies in England, Ramgoolam regularly sought Dunputh's counsel. Dunputh recommended he invest his talents in politics rather than join the civil service. Ramgoolam stayed at the Lallah household for some time and remained close to the family, regularly attending functions.
In 1978, as Prime Minister, Ramgoolam paid ultimate homage by recommending that a school be named after Dunputh in Curepipe. The school was constructed along Curepipe Road, not far from Bougainville Road where the Lallah residence stood - a fitting tribute to Dunputh's involvement in the Rohenee Rughoo case and his commitment to education.
The land was donated by the Gujadhur family, making the "Dunputh Lallah State Secondary School" an eternal tribute to the friendship and shared history of the Lallah and Gujadhur families.
Cultural Contributions
Beyond law and politics, Dunputh made significant cultural contributions:
Religious Institutions
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Reconstructed Camp Caval Shivala (1930), serving as President
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Financed construction of Camp Fouquereaux and Vacoas Shivalas
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Actively organized Maha Shivaratree festival, following processions of pilgrims from Grand Bassin
Educational Institutions
• First manager of Aryan Vedic School of Vacoas (1922), securing government grant
• Present at founding of Hindu Maha Sabha (1925)
• Present at founding of Arya Samaj organization at Curepipe, supporting his brother Khemlall despite earlier disagreements
Literary Contributions
• Assisted Pandit Atmaram Vishwanath in publishing History of Mauritius (Mauritius ka Itihas), the first Hindi book published in Mauritius and foundation of Hindi literature in Mauritius
• After initially opposing the book due to misunderstandings, Dunputh read it himself, opposed Atmaram's deportation, published an explanatory text in the Mauritius Indian Times, and offered Rs. 600 to fund the second edition
This incident revealed both Dunputh's fiery character and his humility - willingness to admit error and make amends.
Distinguished
Visitors
As Dunputh's influence grew, his social clout attracted distinguished visitors:
Indian Doctors (1921)
When Mauritius faced a shortage of medical practitioners, Dunputh advised the Colonial Administration to invite doctors from India and offered to lodge them at his residence. Doctors Sen, Augustin, Gupta, Dass, and Roy stayed at Bougainville Road until provided government accommodation.
Dr. Chiranjiv Bhardwaj (1911)
Eminent medical practitioner and Sanskrit scholar who helped consolidate the Arya Samaj.
Mr. Mehta Jaimini (1925)
Respected scholar of the Arya Samaj movement.
Mr. Ramgobin Shastri
Another distinguished visitor from India.
Sir Kunwar Maharaj Singh (1924)
The most important visitor, whose stay and report influenced Dunputh's political career.
Dunputh married Nageea Makoond Ajodha on 16 April 1916. Despite his demanding professional and political responsibilities, he had not neglected expanding his family - Nageea gave birth to ten children (five boys and five girls).
The Lallah household at Bougainville Road was organized to the minutest detail. Dunputh enforced strict discipline: only Hindi, Bengali, English, and French were allowed to be spoken (Creole was forbidden). He was always immaculately dressed in the latest European fashion, with a personal tailor and barber attending him each morning.
His daily routine: driven to work in Port Louis around 7am, returning to Curepipe around 3pm, then visiting temples he had funded in the evenings.
The family also owned race horses, stabled and trained at Bougainville Road. Dunputh's colors were cherry jacket with green striped sleeves and green cap. His horses "Indewhat" and "Queen Mary" won numerous races at the Champ de Mars in 1919-1920, including the Maiden Place, Draper's Mile, Faughaballah's Plate, and Governor's Plate.
Family Life History
Family Life History
Dunputh Lallah passed away on 1 June 1947 at age 61. He had fallen severely ill on 29 May and underwent surgery, but doctors could not remedy the "intestinal paralysis" that claimed his life.
Press articles paid eloquent tribute, describing him as "one of the most senior members of the legal profession who enjoyed resounding success in his career."
His body was cremated at Perrier, La Marie at the Lallah family shrine. Speeches were delivered by Pandit Tackeshwarnath Chawbay in Hindi and Kissoonsingh Hazareesingh in English. Members of the Legislative Council and notables of Mauritian society attended.
Final Days
Historical Significance
As elected members, Dunputh and Gujadhur enjoyed freedom unavailable to previous nominated Indo-Mauritian members like RK Boodhun and Dr. Hassen Sakir. They took bold stances against the Oligarchy, defended the rights of ordinary Mauritians, and mentored the generation that would lead Mauritius to Independence.
The elections of Dunputh Lallah and Rajcoomar Gujadhur were described as "the most important result" of the 1926 elections. Past history had shown that without elected Indo-Mauritian representatives, no one would genuinely champion Indo-Mauritian interests. Their election was "the starting point of Indo-Mauritian participation in politics on equal terms with the Oligarchs."
They are aptly described as "torch bearers" whose courage inspired an entire generation - Maurice Curé, Renganaden Seeneevassen, Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Veerasamy Ringadoo, and Rampersad Neerunjun - who would change Mauritius's political landscape and bring Independence.
A Heritage for the Nation
The Lallah brothers - Boodhun, Khemlall, and Dunputh - could easily have enjoyed their riches and luxurious lifestyles rather than stand for the downtrodden. They consciously chose to put their skills - intelligence, leadership, and advocacy - to the service of just causes.
Boodhun breached the legal profession's color barrier and, with Manilal Doctor, won justice for discriminated Indo-Mauritians in landmark cases like Atchia. Khemlall founded the Arya Samaj movement in Mauritius, creating the educational and organizational infrastructure that made political mobilization possible. Dunputh built upon these foundations, becoming the first elected Indo-Mauritian representative and championing democratic values in the Legislative Council.
As we commemorate 100 years since that historic victory on 22 January 1926, we honour not merely one man's achievement, but the collective legacy of a pioneering family and the beginning of a journey toward the democratic, inclusive Mauritius we know today.