The Legacy of My Great-Grandparents: A Family's Journey Through History

Through the lens of history, our family's stories stand as a testament to resilience, dedication, and the pursuit of justice. Here, I share some anecdotes about my great-grandparents, highlighting their remarkable lives and the profound impact they had on their family and community.

Great-Grandparents of My Maternal Grandfather

Let's begin with the story of my maternal grandfather's parents. The picture below captures a significant moment in our family's history. Among those in the frame, my great-grandmother is unmistakable, sitting behind her as a young child, while I hold my cousin. This picture, taken just three weeks after my grandfather's passing, holds immense significance. The woman beside me is my mother's sister, and the other child is my cousin, a few years younger than me. Tragically, my great-grandmother passed away when I was 19 years old.

My great-grandmother was not just a figure in history; she was a beacon of education and bravery. She was literate and well-versed in English, which was rare for women of her time. Her involvement in India's struggle for freedom against the British Empire was a testament to her courage. Post-independence, she also became a respected figure in local politics, winning local body elections and later serving as a trustee for a local university. Her influence extended far beyond the family, empirically empowering countless women. She fought relentlessly for their basic rights and even supported them by taking care of their children and enrolling them in nearby schools. She ensured that these children stayed at our 'Wada'—a large, fortress-like house that housed around 40 rooms, a large open space for kids to play, a backyard with trees like mango, tamarind, and drumsticks, as well as cattle housing and a chicken coop, where kids were enrolled free of cost. Some went on to become doctors and government officials.

After her death, the number of visitors to her funeral was beyond our control, atrue testament to the respect and love she commanded. Her sisters also stayed with her in her later years due to her financial and emotional support.

Great-Grandfather's Ancestry and Values

My great-grandfather came from a distinguished lineage; one of his ancestors was a gatekeeper for Fort Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Throughout his life, he was a man of deep values, reflecting them through his actions and words.

He was a lawyer who had the courage to decline a lucrative practice after returning from the UK during the pre-independence era. Instead, he joined the freedom movement, valuing women's education highly and supporting his wife, whom he affectionately called 'Mai-Saheb.' Sadly, I do not have a photograph of him in his youth.

Great-Grandmother's Resistance During Portuguese Rule

My great-grandmother's father had to weather the mental torture of the Portuguese, who ruled Goa, but his spirit remained unbroken. He refused to be cowed, earning the epithet of being made of iron. He fiercely fought against the Portuguese's senseless actions, like contaminating the wells and houses of Hindus with pieces of meat, specifically beef, to convert them to Catholicism. He sought to expose the truth and maintain the rich Hindu heritage of our family, the Sardesai, who have been recognized as one of the oldest and most respected Hindu families in Goa.

Conclusion

Our great-grandparents were not merely historical figures but were titans of their times. Their tenacity, values, and sacrifices have left an indelible mark on our family, our community, and our nation. They were willing to risk everything for the betterment of society and the community, and their legacy inspires us to continue striving for justice and equality. They reminded us that no challenge is insurmountable, and we must always hold fast to our beliefs.