CONDITION USED GOOD, SIR N.N SIRCAR’S SPEECHES AND PAMPHELETS, B.N DUTTA ROY , HARDCOVER, 1934

A COLLECTION OF THE PAMPHLETS CIRCULATED BY SIR N.N SIRCAR IN 1933 AMONG MEMBERS OF THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITEE ON INDIAN CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM AND AMONG MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT , REPORTS OF HIS CROSS- EXAMINATION OF SIR SAMUEL HOARE AND OTHERS BEFORE THE JOINT COMMITTEE, AND HIS SPEECHES BEFORE MEETINGS OF CONSERVATIVES IN LONDON .

Sir Nripendra Nath Sircar, whose appointment as a Member of the Executive Council of the Viceroy was announced on December 19, 1933, is universally and deservedly considered the most consummate lawyer to have ever held office as Advocate-General of Bengal. He was a man of immense intellect, remarkable quickness of perception, unwavering tenacity of purpose, and tireless industry. It was said that he could accomplish in four hours what would take others sixteen—and he worked sixteen hours a day. He had a fierce regard for the sanctity of time.

Sir Nripendra Nath belonged to a distinguished family that served the country prominently in the latter part of the 19th century. He was the grandson of the eminent Peary Churn Sircar, a pioneer of English education in India, and the eldest son of Mr. Nagendra Nath Sircar, a respected executive officer in the Government of Bengal.

Born in 1876, Nripendra Nath received his early education at the Metropolitan School, Calcutta, where he was a brilliant scholar. He then joined Presidency College and graduated with Honours in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry in 1894. Two years later, he earned an M.A. in Chemistry from the same institution. His academic achievements were exceptional, and he received numerous accolades, including the Foundation Scholarship.

In 1897, after graduating in law from Ripon College, he joined the district court at Bhagalpur as a pleader. In 1901, he was appointed Professor of Chemistry at Agra College but never assumed the position. In 1902, he joined the Subordinate Judicial Service in Bengal, but finding limited scope for advancement, he resigned in 1905 and proceeded to England. He enrolled at Lincoln’s Inn and apprenticed under Mr. Cozens-Hardy, Q.C., gaining deep knowledge of English law. He excelled as a Bar student and topped the Bar Final Examination in Michaelmas Term, 1907, becoming the first Honoursman.

He returned to India in 1907 and joined the Calcutta High Court. For some time, he worked in the chambers of the late Sir Binode Mitter. Soon recognized for his legal acumen, he built a thriving practice on both the Original and Appellate Sides of the High Court. He was admired for his erudition, advocacy, wit, tact, and composure.

Nripendra Nath quickly rose to prominence and was offered a permanent judgeship in the High Court in 1919, which he declined. In 1928, at the height of his professional success, he was appointed Advocate-General of Bengal. In recognition of his service, he was knighted in 1931.

Though not actively involved in politics for most of his life, he took interest in national affairs. In 1921–22, he organized the Citizens’ Protection League to counter the Civil Disobedience Movement led by Gandhi. In 1932, he entered public life formally when he was invited to the Third Round Table Conference as a representative of Bengal Hindus. His contributions there led to his nomination to the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Indian Constitution Act in 1933. In both roles, he emerged as a farsighted statesman, working diligently to improve Bengal’s financial status and to challenge the Communal Award, which had drawn widespread criticism from the Hindu community.

Sir Nripendra’s masterful cross-examination of Sir Samuel Hoare before the Joint Parliamentary Committee and his well-researched political pamphlets made a lasting impact. His exhaustive study of official records and blue books made him a master of facts and arguments, which he articulated effectively in his writings.

In 1896, Sir Nripendra Nath married Nabanalini Basu, the only daughter of Mr. Durgadas Basu, a landowner from Barasat. They had eight sons. Lady Sircar has been deeply involved in social welfare and the education of women in Bengal.

The couple travelled extensively across Palestine, Syria, Egypt, Europe, the United States, and Canada, reflecting their global outlook and cultural engagement.