Roses In December: An Autobiography

presents the life of M. C. Chagla, in the midst of India’s most historical events.

Originally published in 1973, it is the autobiography of Mahommedali Currim Chagla, who was the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court from 1948 to 1958.

Roses In December takes readers into the life of this great personality, while covering the unfolding of Indian history. The author was a member of the Muslim League, and was a follower of Jinnah. However, once he learnt that Jinnah wanted a separate country, Chagla decided to part ways. He founded the Muslim Nationalist Party in Bombay to continue working for India’s freedom. The book also brings to light the Emergency that was imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1975. Chagla gave a famous speech while inaugurating the All India Civil Liberties Conference in Ahmedabad, in which he opposed the Indian Emergency. Readers will also come across topics like Kashmir, the Parliament of India, Indian PMs and Presidents, and more.

This autobiography shares with readers some very personal anecdotes. The author’s original surname was not Chagla. In the book, he says that the surname that he was born with implied that he belonged to the merchant class. He asked his grandfather for a new name, who replied “Chagla”. Chagla, meaning favourite in Kutchi, was the author’s father’s nickname.