Jamnalal Bajaj Biography 
Jamnalal Bajaj was an industrialist, a philanthropist, and freedom fighter. He was one of the earliest industrialists and businessmen from India. He is the founder of great Bajaj Empire. He founded the Bajaj Group of companies in the year 1926. The group now has 24 companies, including 6 listed companies - Bajaj Auto Ltd, Bajaj Auto, Mukand Ltd, Bajaj Electricals Ltd and Bajaj Hindusthan Ltd. Several institutions in India are known by his name, including the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies. JB Nagar of Andheri, Mumbai is named after him. Jamnalal Bajaj Award was established in 1978 by the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation given away every year on his birth anniversary. He was also a close associate and follower of Mahatma Gandhi and Gandhi had adopted him as his son.
Jamnalal Bajaj was born into a poor family in a village named Kashi Ka Bas, near Sikar. He was adopted by a distant relative, Seth Bachhraj, rich Rajasthani merchant from Wardha. Thus Bajaj got involved with family business of Seth when grown up. During this time, he learnt the techniques of business including how to sell goods and how to keep strict accounts. Before the death of his adopted father, he learnt everything and thus he founded a business firm in 1926 that came to be later known as Bajaj group of industries.
During the First World War, he was approached by British for monetary help and in return, he was conferred on the title of Rai Bahadur, a title he later surrendered during the non-cooperation movement of 1921. He got attracted to Gandhi’s freedom struggle movement and principles of Ahimsa. Deeply impressed by the routine activities of ashram, he brought his wife Jankidevi and his children to live there. He also dedicated much of his wealth to the poor and it was in line with the trusteeship concept proposed by Gandhi. He also took initiatives in removal of untouchability, promotion of Hindi, and Khadi and village Industries.
Published: N/A
Updated: December 28, 2013
