On May 31st 1893, a West bound, passenger steamer left the shores of Bombay with an assorted mix of passengers. One among them was a 30 year old sanyasi, who had set out on a mission to put Hinduism on world stage.

By an extraordinary coincidence, at a Japanese airport en route, the ship took in another passenger, who too was proceeding towards the West, on a task that would make his name too immortal in the annals of his country’s history. Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, the wealthy, 54-year-old industrialist, was on a business trip to acquire modern, steel manufacturing technology.

The providential meeting of these two, entirely dissimilar personalities, aboard the steamer, played a huge role in shaping the destiny of independent India.

Thanks to a letter written by Tata to Swami Vivekananda, we know of the meeting that took place between the two extraordinary men. 

In a letter dated 23rd November 1898, Mr Tata wrote,

“Dear Swami Vivekananda ,

I trust, you remember me as a fellow-traveller on your voyage from Japan to Chicago…”

“I very much recall at this moment your views on the growth of the ascetic spirit in India, and the duty, not of destroying, but of diverting it into useful channels.

I recall these ideas in connection with my scheme of Research Institute of Science for India, of which you have doubtless heard or read. It seems to me that no better use can be made of the ascetic spirit than the establishment of monasteries or residential halls for men dominated by this spirit, where they should live with ordinary decency, and devote their lives to the cultivation of sciences - natural and humanistic. I am of opinion that, if such a crusade in favour of an asceticism of this kind were undertaken by a competent leader, it would greatly help asceticism, science, and the good name of our common country; and I know not who would make a more fitting general of such a campaign than Vivekananda. Do you think you would care to apply yourself to the mission of galvanising into life our traditions in this respect? ”

This incredibly important letter is now with the Ramakrishna Mission’s Belur Math. A copy is on display at the IISc.
How did a progressive thinker like Tata come to ask a spiritual leader to head a centre for advanced scientific studies? 

The answer lies in the fact that Tata’s modernity was tempered with ancient values and Vivekananda’s spirituality was yoked to uncompromising rationalism. Hence, even though the Swami and the Industrialist worked in entirely different fields, they were identical in essence. Both were fiercely nationalistic. And both were driven by a passion to elevate the land and its people to a higher standard of life.

 The Swami, apparently, had asked Jamsetji for what mission he was travelling. Jamsetji said that he wanted to bring steel industry to India. Upon which Swami Vivekananda made an invaluable suggestion. Steel technology, he pointed out, had two components: steel science and steel manufacturing technology. Bring material technology to the country and build material science within the country, he said. The advice crystallised the thoughts which Tata already had in mind.

In 1896, in a letter to Lord Reay, the Governor of Bombay and Chancellor of the Bombay University the modest philanthropist wrote:

“Being blessed by the mercy of Providence with more than a fair share of the worlds' goods and persuaded that I owe much of my success in life to an unusual combination of favourable circumstances, I have felt it incumbent on myself to help to provide a continuous atmosphere of such circumstances for my less fortunate countrymen”
“I propose to ... (make) a Trust Settlement of property annually yielding between Rupees Eighty Thousand and a lac for this purpose…”

It is important to note here that to Tata, philanthropy was as much a serious activity as manufacture of goods. And that was why he wanted that the leadership of his dream institution should be given to one with extra ordinary merit.

In the initial days of planning, the institute was called the “Imperial University of India”. It was conceived to have a scientific and technical department and also departments of Psychology, History, Archaeology, Economics, etc.
But in 1899, the Provisional Committee recommended "a gradual development" of the institution, with priority being given to scientific, technological and medical branches. And the preferred name was "Indian University of Research.”

Subsequently, upon the request of the Secretary of State for India, the Royal Society of London asked that the scheme for the institution be examined by an outside expert. Prof.William Ramsay, toured India for over two and a half months, and recommended that the institute should confine itself to science and technology. Ramsay also recommended Bangalore to be the suitable place for such an Institution.

 Following this, the Government of Shri Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the Maharaja of Mysore, came forward with an offer of 372 acres of land, free of cost. (Subsequently, the Government of Karnataka gifted lands during the Golden Jubilee and Platinum Jubilee of the Institute making the current land holding of the Institute up to 443 acres.)

In 1901, the Institute was given the present name “Indian Institute of Science”.

The constitution of the Institute was approved by the Viceroy Lord Minto, and the necessary Vesting Order was signed on May 27, 1909. Early in 1911, the Maharaja of Mysore laid the foundation stone of the Institute and on July 24, the first batch of students was admitted in the Departments of General and Applied Chemistry and Electrotechnology.

Even though Jamsetji did not live to see the inauguration, his vision has remained a beacon and his spirit guided the countless research students who have worn the colours of this prestigious institution.