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Roses in December
Roses in December, the autobiography of M. C. Chagla (1900-81), is one of Bhavan’s landmark publications.
Chagla distinguished himself not only as a lawyer and judge but stood out in a few other fields of public activity. Rightly, he chose to record his aspirations and achievements, ideals and convictions, thoughts and experiences, for the benefit of posterity (as he himself has said). The book turned out to be a casket of wisdom, not to speak of the racy style of writing that made it gripping.
Reading this book is like seeing personally Indian history of the past century, so vividly has M C Chagla described the events and happenings of those turbulent years. Interesting incidents have been mentioned, the joys and the sorrows, the tiffs and the anger with other leading personalities of India struggling for freedom. Chagla played a very important role during this crucial period and his agile pen has recorded all that happened in this book which has been a best seller.
Jayaprakash Narayan has written the foreword in which he has mentioned the role Chagla played during the emergency clamped by Indira Gandhi in June, 1975. The historic speech that Chagla delivered in Ahmedabad while inaugurating the All India Civil Liberties Conference in the wake of the emergency reads 'like Magna Carta' according to Jayaprakash Narayan. Chagla has discussed topics like Kashmir, the presidents, prime minsters and parliament of India.
Chief Justice Chagla had three abiding passions — devotion to justice between man and man and between man and the State, adherence to nationalism, involving the integrations of all communities, and love of basic human freedom. His devotion to justice made him truly a great judge. Whether he believed in 'God or not, we are not sure. But, God believed in him, and endorsed him with the gift of grace, with nobility and intellectual humility. M. C. Chagla’s autobiography is not only the story of his life but the life of the times.
M C Chagla was a Jurist, judge, educationist, Central Cabinet Minister and Statesman. He was also the Vice Chancellor of Bombay University and also acting Governor of Bombay. He was India's ambassador to US and High Commissioner for India in UK.
Chagla distinguished himself not only as a lawyer and judge but stood out in a few other fields of public activity. Rightly, he chose to record his aspirations and achievements, ideals and convictions, thoughts and experiences, for the benefit of posterity (as he himself has said). The book turned out to be a casket of wisdom, not to speak of the racy style of writing that made it gripping.
Reading this book is like seeing personally Indian history of the past century, so vividly has M C Chagla described the events and happenings of those turbulent years. Interesting incidents have been mentioned, the joys and the sorrows, the tiffs and the anger with other leading personalities of India struggling for freedom. Chagla played a very important role during this crucial period and his agile pen has recorded all that happened in this book which has been a best seller.
Jayaprakash Narayan has written the foreword in which he has mentioned the role Chagla played during the emergency clamped by Indira Gandhi in June, 1975. The historic speech that Chagla delivered in Ahmedabad while inaugurating the All India Civil Liberties Conference in the wake of the emergency reads 'like Magna Carta' according to Jayaprakash Narayan. Chagla has discussed topics like Kashmir, the presidents, prime minsters and parliament of India.
Chief Justice Chagla had three abiding passions — devotion to justice between man and man and between man and the State, adherence to nationalism, involving the integrations of all communities, and love of basic human freedom. His devotion to justice made him truly a great judge. Whether he believed in 'God or not, we are not sure. But, God believed in him, and endorsed him with the gift of grace, with nobility and intellectual humility. M. C. Chagla’s autobiography is not only the story of his life but the life of the times.
M C Chagla was a Jurist, judge, educationist, Central Cabinet Minister and Statesman. He was also the Vice Chancellor of Bombay University and also acting Governor of Bombay. He was India's ambassador to US and High Commissioner for India in UK.
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First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 12, 2015
It was 40 years ago, on this date i.e. 12th June, 1975, two significant events happened in India which led to the proclamation of emergency. The rest is history and need not be repeated. Why should this be mentioned in the context of review of Shri M.C. Chagla’s ‘ Roses in December’ ? Because, the eight edition of the book includes an epilogue about the emergency which throws an unknown fact that a High Court Judge was also a casualty of the emergency. Leaving aside this, the question whether the reading of a biography which was published forty years back in today’s context will still be interesting. At a time biographies are produced with sensational disclosures,the relevance of biography of Mr. Chagla with its appendixes of letters, speeches is really interesting. Many of the incidents narrated have been widely debated subsequently that the novelty has worn off. Nevertheless, it is really fascinating to read about the life of a multi faceted personality in his own language which is poetic in some places . But it also reads more like instructional manual of the ideas of the author on various subjects. Late Shri M.C. Chagla was a multi faceted personality - a junior lawyer who practiced under Mr. Jinnah - “a great nationalist turned rank communalist propounding two nation theory”. He was an activist in independence movement, a Puisne Judge, Chief Justice of the High Court for the undivided state of Mumbai, an Ad-hoc Judge of the International Court of Justice, Indian Ambassador to USA, High Commissioner to UK, Minister of Education, Minister for External Affairs in Congress s Govts. He was widely criticized when he resigned as the Chief Justice of Mumbai High Court to take up Ambassadorship to USA. The biography is the outcome of a “tendency to make a selection which is favourable to oneself and which in the December of one’s life permits one to enjoy the fragrance of roses” and as such an account of “those memories which one would like to preserve forever and relive in thought and imagination, if not in reality. “ The biography starts in an impersonal tone observed in obituary - ‘a bare bald history of man’ and ends in a moving account of his personal life showing the human side of the author. After an eventful and hectic career, the author lamenting the death of his wife “stared at the walls of his room, without the sound of any human voice to assuage his loneliness”. He was candid enough to admit that “ circumstances play a part in whatever success one has achievements. So "it is sheer human vanity to attribute to one’s own ability and the eminence which one might have achieved.” He was of the firm view that contingents play important part in one’s life.
He traces his early childhood, his education in Oxford, his encounter with many freedom fighters, his role as a Judge and Minister. What is of relevance today is that Mr. Chagla remained a nationalist to the core and was highly critical of the pandering of the Congress to those elements in minorities which were communal to the core. He was highly critical of Jinnah and Pakistan. For a person who had passed judgments in almost 20 years of service, the author was frank enough to admit that no man is, in fairness, entitled to sit in judgment on others. When we are at a stage where all the parochial elements are entertained and given importance not only by mainstream parties but also by the Media, this book is a must read for all those politicians playing to the gallery of divisiveness.
He traces his early childhood, his education in Oxford, his encounter with many freedom fighters, his role as a Judge and Minister. What is of relevance today is that Mr. Chagla remained a nationalist to the core and was highly critical of the pandering of the Congress to those elements in minorities which were communal to the core. He was highly critical of Jinnah and Pakistan. For a person who had passed judgments in almost 20 years of service, the author was frank enough to admit that no man is, in fairness, entitled to sit in judgment on others. When we are at a stage where all the parochial elements are entertained and given importance not only by mainstream parties but also by the Media, this book is a must read for all those politicians playing to the gallery of divisiveness.
March 25, 2016
An interesting book with insights on several historical figures
September 24, 2021
I thought of this book to be an essential reading for law students before they graduate. It's not really. The 'law' aspect of the author's life is limited to about 1/5th of the book. The rest is about him being a member of a UN delegation, judge of the ICJ, ambassador of India to the US and UK (High Comm.), Education and External Affairs Minister. The author was the Chief Justice of Bombay HC but also much, much more than that. The book reflects this truth.
Personally, this book (of 1973) feels dated with respect to the views espoused on various issues, which by their nature are fast changing. In fact, his misgivings about Indira Gandhi changed to abject dislike and condemnation in light of the emergency of 1975- hence an 'Epilogue' was required. For a historical record of an outsider's perspective in politics, however, this would be a good read.
I liked the portions on his judgeship (one of the rare judges to dictate excellent judgments as soon as the arguments concluded) and the final chapter 'Personal' which are a collections of his reflections on life, which I found very well written. The Epilogue also adds to the book significantly.
This book is considered to be a classic because it's an autobiography of a person who strode the legal field like a giant, but more than that, achieved things that others would take many lifetimes to. All this, note, without sacrificing the guilty pleasures that life offers.
Being Chief Justice, he took up many roles which would be considered political. This he explains as responding to a call for service to the nation, made by Nehru, which he couldn't refuse. This was a period, however, of integrity, probity and principles in public affairs, which we've long lost. The author resigned as External Affairs minister on a principled opposition to the language issue. The Constitution was designed for such people in the Legislature and Executive, and the period of the author's stint in power was a period where such persons did exist in power. He himself reflects upon the decline of such individuals in public life.
MC Chagla was a person extraordinaire, and his life's story is a compilation of his adventures in the various hats he donned throughout his life.
Personally, this book (of 1973) feels dated with respect to the views espoused on various issues, which by their nature are fast changing. In fact, his misgivings about Indira Gandhi changed to abject dislike and condemnation in light of the emergency of 1975- hence an 'Epilogue' was required. For a historical record of an outsider's perspective in politics, however, this would be a good read.
I liked the portions on his judgeship (one of the rare judges to dictate excellent judgments as soon as the arguments concluded) and the final chapter 'Personal' which are a collections of his reflections on life, which I found very well written. The Epilogue also adds to the book significantly.
This book is considered to be a classic because it's an autobiography of a person who strode the legal field like a giant, but more than that, achieved things that others would take many lifetimes to. All this, note, without sacrificing the guilty pleasures that life offers.
Being Chief Justice, he took up many roles which would be considered political. This he explains as responding to a call for service to the nation, made by Nehru, which he couldn't refuse. This was a period, however, of integrity, probity and principles in public affairs, which we've long lost. The author resigned as External Affairs minister on a principled opposition to the language issue. The Constitution was designed for such people in the Legislature and Executive, and the period of the author's stint in power was a period where such persons did exist in power. He himself reflects upon the decline of such individuals in public life.
MC Chagla was a person extraordinaire, and his life's story is a compilation of his adventures in the various hats he donned throughout his life.
June 4, 2020
I was a rookie lawyer, out on a limb, in a strange city, having led a protected life as a Police Officer’s daughter. Unpractical, unaware of the ways of Mumbai, it’s cut throat Corporate culture... Unsure of what lies ahead. Having landed there after understanding that courts in the town, where I lived with parents, had a ‘rate system’, and the correct value system imbibed from father made that thought abhorrent. One could hope to have a decent practice if, 1. One’s father/ brother was either a lawyer or a judge, Or, 2. If one was willing to deal with touts to get court cases; And, one was a Male. There were no lady lawyers doing anything of import. Some would be there with above relatives, doing routine paper work, never getting to do any arguments, which is what I really wanted to do- cross examination, trial, etc. Trials were a travesty. Judges were absent from courts, lawyers would do the Chief with the court clerk writing down the same, trials’ outcome predetermined... I have always been sure of what I would not do, what I would not become, no matter what...
It was then that I chanced upon J. MC Chagla’s Roses In December! People say there are books that define their life. I never achieved the kind of success that J. Chagla did. Not even close. Not many do. But, his book gave me hope in an otherwise opaque world. If a small boy who lost a parent could go on to become a jurist, a practicing lawyer, Justice (1941-1947) & Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court (1947-1958), Acting Governor of State of Bombay, Indian ambassador to the US (1958-1961), Cabinet Minister Education (1963-1966) & External Affairs (1966-1967), and numerous other achievements, then there is hope for all who wanted the system to achieve it’s glory to the fullest, without compromising on ethics and morality.
An agnostic Khoja Muslim, he was cremated per his wish. He had renounced his surname Merchant due to its association with money. Choosing to use his great grand father’s pet name Chagla, meaning ‘favourite’ in his mother tongue Kutchi.
The inscription on the statue plinth at the Bombay High Court reads:
"A great judge, a great citizen, and, above all, a great human being."
His autobiography sums this up well. Read it, even if you’re not a an aspiring lawyer. You will find true inspiration.
(Dates above wrt having started/ finished the book are tentative, based on the date of purchase.)
It was then that I chanced upon J. MC Chagla’s Roses In December! People say there are books that define their life. I never achieved the kind of success that J. Chagla did. Not even close. Not many do. But, his book gave me hope in an otherwise opaque world. If a small boy who lost a parent could go on to become a jurist, a practicing lawyer, Justice (1941-1947) & Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court (1947-1958), Acting Governor of State of Bombay, Indian ambassador to the US (1958-1961), Cabinet Minister Education (1963-1966) & External Affairs (1966-1967), and numerous other achievements, then there is hope for all who wanted the system to achieve it’s glory to the fullest, without compromising on ethics and morality.
An agnostic Khoja Muslim, he was cremated per his wish. He had renounced his surname Merchant due to its association with money. Choosing to use his great grand father’s pet name Chagla, meaning ‘favourite’ in his mother tongue Kutchi.
The inscription on the statue plinth at the Bombay High Court reads:
"A great judge, a great citizen, and, above all, a great human being."
His autobiography sums this up well. Read it, even if you’re not a an aspiring lawyer. You will find true inspiration.
(Dates above wrt having started/ finished the book are tentative, based on the date of purchase.)
October 30, 2021
"अब न रहे वे पीनेवाले अब न रही वो मधुशाला"
Gone are the connoisseurs and with them, the era.
-Hariwansh Rai Bachchan
Everything has a time and a place and when it comes to 'Roses in December', the time is now and the place is here. Switch on the TV, log on to the Internet and we find shameless debauchery inviting us to be spectators and, whenever possible, participate in the wild orgy. In recent years, with audiences quarantined in their houses, no refuge to satiate their appetite for scandal and no sports to provide the usual dose of valium, the media has taken the onus of garbing the don of our great saviour. Between bread and circuses, bread is getting costlier, so the media decided to subsidise circuses, and in its wake, the fourth pillar has reduced the other three to nothing more than sources of pennyworth amusement.
Gone are the days when people of letters used to hold high offices and strived to personally rise up to the dignity the designation commanded; when we used to be both conscientious and conscious of the footprints we would leave behind; when our education constructively fettered us from being wayward; when to be uncouth and foul mouthed was not the style of the season; when you could speak your mind without being cancelled; when the discourse ensued debate without arousing animosity; and when loudness and braggadocio were far from being the most revered traits of a leader.
Mr. Mohammadali Carim Chagla, the world should be earnestly thankful to you for preserving the memory that the dominant forces of noise have almost succeeded in wiping out.
Gone are the connoisseurs and with them, the era.
-Hariwansh Rai Bachchan
Everything has a time and a place and when it comes to 'Roses in December', the time is now and the place is here. Switch on the TV, log on to the Internet and we find shameless debauchery inviting us to be spectators and, whenever possible, participate in the wild orgy. In recent years, with audiences quarantined in their houses, no refuge to satiate their appetite for scandal and no sports to provide the usual dose of valium, the media has taken the onus of garbing the don of our great saviour. Between bread and circuses, bread is getting costlier, so the media decided to subsidise circuses, and in its wake, the fourth pillar has reduced the other three to nothing more than sources of pennyworth amusement.
Gone are the days when people of letters used to hold high offices and strived to personally rise up to the dignity the designation commanded; when we used to be both conscientious and conscious of the footprints we would leave behind; when our education constructively fettered us from being wayward; when to be uncouth and foul mouthed was not the style of the season; when you could speak your mind without being cancelled; when the discourse ensued debate without arousing animosity; and when loudness and braggadocio were far from being the most revered traits of a leader.
Mr. Mohammadali Carim Chagla, the world should be earnestly thankful to you for preserving the memory that the dominant forces of noise have almost succeeded in wiping out.
May 22, 2013
Brilliant Book. Apart from the phenomenal life led by the author, one is struck by the honesty and impartiality with which the account is written. The book also has a tremendous educational value for all students of political Sciences and law.
January 10, 2015
I have never read such a profound piece of biographic literature written anywhere till date. Every page is a delicacy, the stature of this man`s achievements stand higher than the ordinary skies. A must read for lawyers, judges and for everyone in general.
July 2, 2025
This is the autobiography of Indiais first Chief justice of India , Governor of Mumbai, core member of Constitution council, All India council member, former minister of external affairs, former education minister , High commissioner of india in United Kingdom, ambassador of india in United States, ad hoc judge of international court of justice, Cabinet minister, Finance minister after the famous LIC scandal. He is a nationalist and doesn't believe in communalism and religion when its come to its political inclination. He talk about Jinnah whom he met and seen the change from nationalist to communist. Coming from a humble background he served the country with his complete dedication and fill up and make his presence felt in all the office he worked. His personal life, his views towards humanity and his believe make him the man he was during his Bombay high court judge when he was young
March 29, 2020
What a brilliant autobiography by an equally brilliant man. What a life to have lived with it’s ups and downs in a newly independent India. This country has been privileged to have had such extraordinary men at its service. Mr. Chagla was one of those heroes who never wore a cape. He did his work with utmost sincerely and integrity. He has set an example to be followed by future generations. This deserves a lot more promotion and I hope it never runs out of print.
September 2, 2018
Excellent autobiography of an eminent personality who I had no clue about. The first Chief Justice of India and the subsequent foreign ambassador and Education minister comes across as a ramrod straight talking honest personality. His courage at the various moments of truth particularly during the period of Emergency is quite exemplary. Excellent narrative skills. Go for it.
January 10, 2025
An autobiography being read after half a century of its existence is likely to engage readers only if the author’s story and writing style transcends time. The book is highly relatable to the circumstances of the world today. The world has moved on so much in these decades and yet much of it still remains the same. Chagla’s moderate and pragmatic views are even more relevant today.
December 31, 2020
This man is a legend and as is this book: his story in his own words.
In this book, one gets a peek into one of India’s finest minds that were and also a window-wide-open into the history of contemporary India especially the turbulent periods of just before and after independence and the emergency years; directly from the horse’s mouth.
Chagla was a man of principles and his intellectual integrity permeates the book. His was a life well lived and his is a story definitely worth a read.
In this book, one gets a peek into one of India’s finest minds that were and also a window-wide-open into the history of contemporary India especially the turbulent periods of just before and after independence and the emergency years; directly from the horse’s mouth.
Chagla was a man of principles and his intellectual integrity permeates the book. His was a life well lived and his is a story definitely worth a read.
February 21, 2017
its super story
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2021
This book was on "to read" list since 2008 i.e. when I had joined legal practice. A very good book to read....the Jurist wore multiple hats and excelled in all the roles.
November 2, 2021
Felt like eternity to complete this book!! Too long !! But too good!!
November 25, 2021
Intresting
July 17, 2022
Best book 📕
Superbly written, engaging. To those who r interested to know about india after and before independence is a trat. Go for it.
Superbly written, engaging. To those who r interested to know about india after and before independence is a trat. Go for it.
October 21, 2023
One of rare indian Muslims who won elections against Muslim league, fine jurist
The book is wonderful read
The book is wonderful read
October 22, 2025
There is no other legal autobiography that comes close to this. 11/10
September 16, 2020
Roses in December by M C Chagla: The Autobiography of M C Chagla reads like a text book of history- He has described his education in Oxford England- his friends Bandarnaike of Ceylon. He studied all through the year for the exams but stopped reading text books two days before the exams. He returned and started practice at the Bombay High Court where he worked with stalwarts Advocates like Jamshedji Kanga and MA Jinnah dtc.. He joined the Muslim league but left because it wanted division of India and started a Muslim Nationalist Party in Bombay. He was appointed lecturer in Government College of Law Mumbai where he taught with BR Ambedkar. He was appointed Judge of Bombay High Court and later Chief Justice of the Court. He was appointed ambassador to USA then to UK. He has described his tenure and incidents also. Interesting part is description of death of MA Jinnah and about the married to Dina and Jinnah. His appointment as Education Minister and later as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Here he has described that government offices which worked during office hours only so he received all letters at his official residence which came after office hours and later marked to government offices to action according to priority.
September 14, 2025
A truly breathtaking read. This book strikes the perfect balance between personal reflection and professional history, allowing Mr. Chagla’s life to unfold in a way that feels both intimate and monumental. By the end, you come away not only with immense respect for him but also with a sense of closeness to the author himself. For me, that is the highest achievement of any autobiography.
What impressed me most was how much I learned. Despite my own extensive research into history, this book revealed aspects I had entirely missed. Chagla emerges as a titan, not only within politics and law but on a global stage, his influence echoing far beyond his own time.
It is rare to find a work that educates, moves, and inspires all at once. This one does. What a man, and what a life.
What impressed me most was how much I learned. Despite my own extensive research into history, this book revealed aspects I had entirely missed. Chagla emerges as a titan, not only within politics and law but on a global stage, his influence echoing far beyond his own time.
It is rare to find a work that educates, moves, and inspires all at once. This one does. What a man, and what a life.
March 11, 2022
A must read for every citizen of India, more so all us lawyers.
I read this book for a second time recently and it is as great a read as before.
The love for this country and its institutions colours every page of this book and the life of its author.
The entire book is of a period when this country was steeped in ethics and morality and the contrast from the times of today could not have been starker.
Both as a citizen and as a lawyer, I will recommend this book to everyone who believes in the idea of India, as enshrined in our Constitution and as envisaged by our founding fathers.
I read this book for a second time recently and it is as great a read as before.
The love for this country and its institutions colours every page of this book and the life of its author.
The entire book is of a period when this country was steeped in ethics and morality and the contrast from the times of today could not have been starker.
Both as a citizen and as a lawyer, I will recommend this book to everyone who believes in the idea of India, as enshrined in our Constitution and as envisaged by our founding fathers.
October 5, 2015
am crazy about mr m.c chagla thats why i wants to read this book and my one of the friend also told to me this is very interesting to read and big love story is there so very eager to read this story.............
Read
May 10, 2014good book
June 4, 2014
grt book
May 26, 2016
a good book..well written by M.C Chagla..it throws the picture of India during independence and the commitment with which Mr Chagla honored his duty.
December 30, 2016
A book every student of law should read in the very first year.
Read
November 18, 2014yes
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews