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109 Years On, Indian family seeks repayment of Rs 35,000 loan to British government
Published : Saturday, 15 August, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Observer Online Report
Collected Photo
An Indian family has asked the British government to repay a Rs 35,000 loan allegedly given by their ancestor, Jummalal Ruthia, in 1917 during World War I, along with interest and other costs. The family says it has historical documents proving the transaction and that the UK government’s Debt Management Office has requested further documents to verify the claim.
According to the Ruthia family, the money was handed over to the British government through an official working with the Bhopal Agency on June 4, 1917. A certificate issued on the same date is being cited as evidence of the transaction.
Gautam Ruthia, the great-grandson of Jummalal Ruthia, told BBC that the family recently received an email from the British government requesting additional information and saying the matter had been referred for investigation. The family is now preparing the requested documents, including genealogical records, old certificates and details of the original loan.
The family says Jummalal Ruthia, a prominent businessman of the time, provided the money as a wartime loan to help fund the expenses of Indian soldiers fighting for the British during World War I. Unlike a conventional bank loan, the document does not appear to specify a repayment period, the family claims.
The British authorities have not yet accepted the claim. The request for documents is part of the verification process, including establishing whether the family making the claim today is the same family that provided the money in 1917.
The Ruthia family is also calculating the present value of the Rs 35,000, including principal, interest, compound interest and other costs. Gautam Ruthia said the family intends to seek the full amount after calculating its present-day value.
The family has cited Britain’s repayment of historical World War I-related debts in 2015 as part of its argument. However, it remains unclear whether Jummalal Ruthia’s alleged loan was included in those debts.
Jummalal Ruthia died in 1937, about two decades after the alleged loan was provided. Britain left India in 1947. The family claims the money was never repaid or settled.
The Ruthias say they may consider legal action or arbitration if necessary, but will decide their next steps after the original documents are examined by British authorities.
Source: BBC Bangla
-HIS
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