About

Founded in 1891, the Cambridge Majlis is a historic and influential society dedicated to the recognition, celebration and advancement of South Asia and its freedom struggles past or present.

A famous forum for debates, cultural events and fraternising, it hosted some of the most important leaders from the region in those heady, fateful decades immediately before and after Independence was won, such as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Subhas Chandra Bose. Past members include Jawaharlal Nehru and President Emeritus Amartya Sen.

Its work continues - we hold topical debates, host prominent speakers and organise social events. Join the Majlis, not only in contemplation of South Asia’s former glories and victories, but also in its discernment and discussion of the issues, quandaries and crises with which the subcontinent is faced today.

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  1891

  Our Humble Beginnings

  Founded by students at Cambridge University from the Indian subcontinent, the Majlis comprised of names which would go on to achieve major significance in South Asian political life. Pro-independence figures reputed to be founding members include poet and philosopher Aurobindo Ghose, who was an undergraduate at Cambridge whilst studying for the Indian Civil Service.

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  1896

  The Oxford Majlis

  Our counter-parts founded the Oxford Majlis with whom we held a varsity debate each year and ran a joint publication called "Bharat".

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  1931

  Gandhi talks to the Majlis

  As published in the Cambridge Daily News, "At 8.15pm he attended a meeting at Carpenter Hall [on the site of the Cambridge Unitarian Church, Emmanuel Road], which was crowded to the doors with both English and Indian students. Instead of making a formal speech he answered questions, which were put to him in great number by the audience till nearly 9.15pm. Mr Chowdhury presided as President of the Indian Majlis, and Mr Rajah was the secretary on this occasion".

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  1934 - 1947

  Fighting the Raj

  During the Raj, the Majlis was instrumental to the anti-colonial cause. In the inter-war period, the Majlis hosted a wide range of prominent speakers from both anti-colonial and imperial circles. This included Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi as well as India Secretary Lawrence Dundas and future British Chancellor R.A. Butler. Viewed as potentially subversive by the British authorities, the Majlis was subject to surveillance by Special Branch.

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  1955

  Amartya Sen

  Amartya Sen is elected President of the honourable society.

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  Period of inactivity

  After partition, transnational geopolitical divisions on the subcontinent permeated South Asian student communities at Oxbridge. An unfortunate demise in the spirit of collaboration eventually rendered the Majlis dormant at both universities.

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  March 2019

  Relaunch

  A small group of students, with a strong interest in Indian history, politics and cultures, felt that the re-establishment of the Majlis could be an incredible force for inspiring intelligent South Asians at Cambridge to care and think about the region. They proceeded to look for interest and quickly found a strong team that re-founded the society. Soon after, they organised the first debate and established the first committee to debate Indian involvement in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.

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  March 2023

  Majlis Archival Exhibition

  From the Majlis records displayed at Trinity Wren Library emerged the fascinating story of the growth of the South Asian community in Cambridge and its role in the Indian independence movement. From minutes, letters and speeches, the exhibition organised by then-President Laleh Bergman-Hossain pieced together the social, academic and political lives of some of the key forebearers of modern South Asia.

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  Our Future

  Join The Majlis Today

  Given its storied position in the story of Cambridge students from the subcontinent, it is the obligation of the society to expand, flourish and engage. As was, is and will be the case, the Majlis is an association open to all and free from national or religious bias. There is within the University a paucity of serious, progressive contemplation on the socio-political and economic issues of the subcontinent. The Majlis works to fill this vacuum through vigorous debate. The Majlis also wholeheartedly toasts the shared cultural affinities of its members through its socials and celebrations.

Get Involved

What do you want to see from the Majlis?

Sign up for membership here.

To join our Alumni Network, click here.