Explained - What is the Maharaj Libel Case of 1861? The real story on which Junaid Khan's movie 'Maharaj' is based 

Who was Karsandas Mulji?

'Maharaj' is the story of Karsandas Mulji, a journalist and social reformer who was a pioneering advocate for women's rights and social reform. A student at Elphinstone College in Mumbai and a protege of the scholar-leader Dadabhai Naoroji, Mulji wrote on widow remarriage, stood up for the oppressed, and sowed the seeds of reform in society.

Maharaj Libel Case of 1862: What is it?

Karsandas Mulji had published a series of articles in 1861 that talked about the Pushtimarg Vaishnava sect, specifically its religious leaders, who were referred to as the Maharajs.

In the series of articles, Mulji alleged that the Maharajas engaged in sexual misconduct with female devotees under the guise of religious rituals. And it was also said that men were expected to show their devotion by offering their wives sex with the 'Maharajas'.

In an article published on September 21, 1861, in the Gujarati paper Satyaprakash, titled "Hinduono Asal Dharma ane Haalna Pakhandi Mato" (The Primitive Religion of the Hindus and the Present Heterodox Opinions), he accused the Maharajs of engaging in sexual acts with female devotees.

The Maharaj Libel Case was an 1862 trial in the Bombay Court when India was under British rule. The case was against Nanabhai Rustomji Ranina and Karsandas Mulji, filed by plaintiff Jadunathji Brijratanji Maharaj, a religious leader of the Pushtimarg sect.

Founded in the early 16th century by Vallabhacharya, Pushtimarg, literally translating to "the Path of Nourishing or Flourishing," centers on the worship of Lord Krishna.

According to a report in The Leaflet, the article that was written by Mulji called the Vallabhacharya sect 'delusive to simple people and alleged the Maharajas were causing disorder in society. It highlighted that the sect preached men to “make over one’s wife and one’s daughter” to the Maharaj before he enjoyed her."

The article further highlighted the 'disgust of the practices of the sect and accused the sect of perpetrating shamelessness, subtlety, immodesty, rascality, and deceit.'

The original article by Mulji also mentioned the name of Jadunathji Maharaj multiple times and "questioned him if he wished to delude simple people even more and rub dust in the eyes of the public. It accused the Maharaj of leading an immoral life, defiling the wives and daughters of his devotees," says The Leaflet.

Lawsuit against Mulji

It was after this series of articles by Mulji that Jadunathji Maharaj filed a libel lawsuit against Mulji and Nanabhai Rustomji Ranina, the publisher of ‘Satyaprakash'.

In the lawsuit, Maharaj claimed that his reputation as a Brahmin and a member of the Vallabhacharya sect was damaged by these series of articles.

The lawsuit further said that the newspaper brought public scandal, infamy, and disgrace upon the Maharaj among the Hindu residents of Bombay.

He also demanded Rs. 50,000 in damages from both Karsandas Mulji and Nanabhoy.

The case generated a lot of public interest and was called the “greatest trial of modern times since the trial of Warren Hastings.”.

The case that began hearing on January 25, 1862, drew large crowds to the court; public galleries overflowed, eager to witness the case.

Mulji was represented by a brilliant but controversial lawyer, Thomas Chisholm Anstey, whereas Sir Lyttleton Holyoake Bayley represented the Maharaj.

During the course of the trial, 31 witnesses for the plaintiff and 33 for the defendants were examined, including Jadunathji Maharaj. Maharaj's defamation charges were ultimately dismissed.

Final judgement

The case began on January 25, 1862, and ended on March 4, 1862.

On April 22, 1862, the final judgment of the case was announced. Sir Matthew Richard Sausse, who was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Bombay, ruled that the defendant, Mulji, was only doing his duty as a responsible journalist and exposing the misdeeds of the religious leader.

The plaintiff, Jadunathji Maharaj, was ordered to pay Rs. 11,500 to Karsandas Mulji, who had to bear a cost of Rs 13,000 for the libel case.

Karsandas Mulji, who passed away in 1871, continued his journalistic endeavors, establishing other publications and advocating for social reforms.