Rai Saligram - Life and Work

Life and Work

Huzur Maharaj ji's father, Bahadur Singh, a lawyer of repute, was a highly religious and generous man. Hazur's father died early. At that time, Rai Saligram was only four years old. His mother, a talented lady, had therefore to struggle hard against heavy odds to provide her sons with the best possible education.

Throughout his academic career, Rai Saligram was a brilliant student. After completing his primary education in a maktab, he went to Agra College for higher studies. He passed the Senior Cambridge examination from this college in 1847 with distinction in Theology, English, Mathematics and Urdu. Subsequently he devoted himself to higher studies in Persian and Arabic. He also studied advanced books on religion, philosophy and astrology. He took great interest in learning Hindi and Sanskrit and within a short time acquired high proficiency in these languages. His ever-increasing thirst for knowledge knew no bounds.

He really desired to reveal unto himself the secrets of absolute Truth. Driven by an inner urge to seek a perfect guru, he visited many holy places in the country where he met many religious teachers and saints. He came to the conclusion that many reputed religious leaders were themselves labouring under delusion, and that they were deluding their disciples. Nevertheless, on the insistence of his mother, he agreed to receive initiation from the family priest on the clear understanding that he would discard the priest and his teachings as soon as he had found a true and perfect guru.

He was appointed as a second clerk in the office of Postmaster General, North-Western Provinces soon after he had finished his studies. Since he proved to be an honest and efficient worker in the department, he got rapid promotions. First he was promoted to the office of inspector of post offices, then head assistant and later personal assistant to the Postmaster General. In 1871, he was appointed chief inspector of post offices in India, and in 1881 as the Postmaster General of the North-Western Provinces with headquarters at Allahabad. He was the first Indian to hold this coveted post.

Being an administrator of outstanding ability, Rai Saligram Sahab introduced a number of new practices in the postal department, namely, land revenue money order scheme, insurance of parcels, value payable parcel, procedures regarding bearing letters, understamped articles and telegrams and the total amalgamation of the district postal arrangements for official letters with general postal department. He toned up the services in the department during the difficult period of its growth and development. By his extraordinary grasp of departmental working, he successfully dealt with complicated pending cases. He removed confusion and red-tapism prevalent in the department. These schemes proved very useful and convenient for departmental work and immensely benefited the people. He also recommended the issue of one-piece post-cards for the benefit of poor people. Further, he himself translated the rules and regulations of the postal department in the North-Western Provinces and Punjab into vernacular to acquaint the educated few with them. The government honoured him with the award of the title of Rai Bahadur in 1871, in appreciation of his meritorious services.

For enforcing honesty and efficiency in the rank and file of the department, he strictly dealt with persons found guilty of embezzlement. He had become so indispensable to the postal department that no scheme would go on paper without his prior consultation. The British authorities felt so much beholden to him for his outstanding contributions that they did not want him to retire early when he expressed such a desire in 1884. The Director-General personally requested him in a letter not to press for his retirement. However, when he insisted, he was relieved of his duties in 1887. In a personal letter, the Director-General paid glowing tributes to him for his efficient work.