S. Srinivasa Iyengar - Legal Career

Legal Career

Srinivasa Iyengar commenced practice as lawyer in the Madras High Court in 1898. He had an extensive knowledge of Hindu Dharmasastra and this helped him make a mark for himself. Soon, Iyengar became the right-hand for C. Sankaran Nair. During this time, the Indian freedom-fighter S. Satyamurthi worked as a junior under Iyengar. Later, he followed Iyengar into the Indian National Congress and the Indian independence movement. Satyamurthi worked under Iyengar while he was the president of the Swarajya Party. He later referred to Iyengar as his "political mentor".

In 1911, Bhupendranath Basu introduced the Civil Marriages Bill in the Imperial legislature. This bill was heavily criticized. Iyengar led agitations for the bill. When V. Krishnaswamy Iyer was criticized by extremists after his death, Iyengar defended him.

In 1912, Iyengar was appointed to the Madras Bar Council and he served from 1912 to 1916. In 1916, he became the Advocate-General of Madras Presidency, the youngest ever to occupy the post. He also served as a member of the Madras Senate from 1912 to 1916.

In recognition of his services, Srinivasa Iyengar was appointed Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) in the 1920 New Year Honours. Iyengar also served as the Law member on the executive council of the Governor of Madras from 1916 to 1920.