Seth Hukumchand
Encyclopedia
Sir Seth Hukum Chand Jain (Kasliwal) of Indore
(1874–1959) was a pioneer of Indian industry and a prominent leader of the Jain community for about 50 years.
His ancestor Seth Pusaji had settled at Indore in 1787. His father Seth Sarup Chand was himelf a successful businessman, however Seth Hukum Chand transformed the few lakhs inherited into a fortune of many crore
s. In his lifetime he donated various amounts amounting to about Rs. 80 lakhs, in the times when one lakh rupees represented a fabulous fortune.
He was initially associated with the firm Trilok Chand Hukam Chand, set up by his father and two uncles, while he was only 6 years old. By 16 he had himself become a successful businessman.
He established cotton mills (Hukam Chand Mill and Raj Kumar Mill at Indore), and a large Jute Mill and Iron Mill at Calcutta, He was a pioneer in 'Swadeshi Industry'. He was the first Indian businessman to set up a Jute Mill
He built the Grand Mansion ; The Indra Bhawan,a sprwaling green 6 acres (24,281.2 m²) campus in the centre of Indore, with a guest house fit for kings.
He financially supported Hindi Sahitya Sammelan and was President of Madhya Bharat Hindi Sahitya Samiti.
He had a unparalled record of religious and social service. He protected Jain Tirtha
s, constructed and repaired several Jain temples. He built the famous Kach Ka Mandir in Indore.
He served as
and Presided over numerous religious, social and political organizations.
With his influence he resolved major religious and social issues. He was a great devotee of Jain muni
s and went on several pilgrimages.
He was made Rai Bahadur in 1915 and honoured with the title of 'Sir' (Knight hood) in 1919. Maharaja of Gwalior had presented him Khilat and rulers of Indore had honoured him with the titles of Rajya Bhushan, Rao Raja and Rajya Ratna.
He established
On Gandhiji's visit to Indra Bhawan, Hukumchandji agrred to give him his 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) of farmland for building the Kasturbagram village.
He donated Rs. 4 lakhs for construction of Lady Hardinge Medical College and Hospital at New Delhi. He donated Rs. 2 lakhs for the welfare of agriculturists. He provided enormous financial assistance during the famine of 1899 and plague epidemics of 1903 and 1908.
His family still resides in Indore, in the grand Palace Indra Bhawan popularly known as Hukumchand Ghantaghar, who themselves are highly respected and regarded of.
Indore
Indore is one of the major city in India, the largest city and commercial center of the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India. Indore is located 190 km west of the state capital Bhopal. According to the 2011 Indian census, Indore city has a population of 1,960,631...
(1874–1959) was a pioneer of Indian industry and a prominent leader of the Jain community for about 50 years.
His ancestor Seth Pusaji had settled at Indore in 1787. His father Seth Sarup Chand was himelf a successful businessman, however Seth Hukum Chand transformed the few lakhs inherited into a fortune of many crore
Crore
A crore is a unit in the Indian number system equal to ten million , or 100 lakhs. It is widely used in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan....
s. In his lifetime he donated various amounts amounting to about Rs. 80 lakhs, in the times when one lakh rupees represented a fabulous fortune.
He was initially associated with the firm Trilok Chand Hukam Chand, set up by his father and two uncles, while he was only 6 years old. By 16 he had himself become a successful businessman.
Industrial pioneer
Seth Hukam Chand became a leading business magnate of the country doing speculative and ready trade in commodities on a large scale. He was known as 'Cotton Prince of India' and had much credit even in some overseas countries. Hwere located in important cities of India.He established cotton mills (Hukam Chand Mill and Raj Kumar Mill at Indore), and a large Jute Mill and Iron Mill at Calcutta, He was a pioneer in 'Swadeshi Industry'. He was the first Indian businessman to set up a Jute Mill
He built the Grand Mansion ; The Indra Bhawan,a sprwaling green 6 acres (24,281.2 m²) campus in the centre of Indore, with a guest house fit for kings.
Social contributions
He was champion of nationwidewide Khadi Movement initiated by Gandhiji in 1920 and a leader if Swadeshi Movement of 1931 in Bombay.He financially supported Hindi Sahitya Sammelan and was President of Madhya Bharat Hindi Sahitya Samiti.
He had a unparalled record of religious and social service. He protected Jain Tirtha
Tirtha
In Jainism, a tīrtha |ford]], a shallow part of a body of water that may be easily crossed") is used to refer both to pilgrimage sites as well as to the four sections of the sangha...
s, constructed and repaired several Jain temples. He built the famous Kach Ka Mandir in Indore.
He served as
- President of Digambar Jain MahasabhaDigambar Jain MahasabhaDigambara Jaina Mahasabha is the oldest organization of lay Jains in India.-History:It was founded in 1894 in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. Its first president was Seth Laxmandas Tongya of Mathura. It is considered a traditionalist organization...
, - Dig. Jain Trithakshetra Committee,
- Bombay Prantic Dig, Jain Sabha
and Presided over numerous religious, social and political organizations.
With his influence he resolved major religious and social issues. He was a great devotee of Jain muni
Jain muni
Jain Muni or simply Muni is the term often used for monks and nuns in Jainism.. They are often called sadhus and sadhvis, respectively, in the Svetambara traditions.-Monastic ranks:...
s and went on several pilgrimages.
He was made Rai Bahadur in 1915 and honoured with the title of 'Sir' (Knight hood) in 1919. Maharaja of Gwalior had presented him Khilat and rulers of Indore had honoured him with the titles of Rajya Bhushan, Rao Raja and Rajya Ratna.
He established
- Sir Hukam Chand Eye Hospital,
- Kalyanmal Nurshing Home,
- Raj Kumar Singh Aurvedic College,
- Kanchan Bai Maternity Home,
- Kanchan Bai Shravikashram,
- Tukoji Rao Cloth Market,
- Gaushala. Jain temple and boarding house in Banaras University.
On Gandhiji's visit to Indra Bhawan, Hukumchandji agrred to give him his 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) of farmland for building the Kasturbagram village.
He donated Rs. 4 lakhs for construction of Lady Hardinge Medical College and Hospital at New Delhi. He donated Rs. 2 lakhs for the welfare of agriculturists. He provided enormous financial assistance during the famine of 1899 and plague epidemics of 1903 and 1908.
Transformation
In his later life, Seth Hukam Chand gave up wearing of expensive clothes, jewellery studded with precious jems etc., and switched to simple clothes. He devoted most his time to religious activities.His family still resides in Indore, in the grand Palace Indra Bhawan popularly known as Hukumchand Ghantaghar, who themselves are highly respected and regarded of.