Seth Hukumchand

Sir Seth Swarupchand HukumchandJi Kasliwal (or Hukamchand) of Indore, Holkar State (1874–1959) was an Indian industrialist and a prominent leader of the Jain community for about 50 years.

His ancestor, Seth Pusaji, had settled in Indore in 1787 under the patronage of the Holkar rulers of Indore, then part of the Maratha Empire. His father, Seth Sarup Chand, was himself a successful businessman; however, Hukumchand transformed the few lakhs he inherited into a fortune of many crores. In his lifetime he donated various amounts amounting to about ₹8 million (US$84,000).

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 age 16, he had himself become a successful businessman.^[1]

He was given the honor of wearing the Holkar-Shahi Pagdi (Boat Shaped Maratha styled Turban) and Angarkha (court dress), which were usually worn by the Maratha, Rajput and Brahmin nobility (Sardars, Jagirdars, Istamuradars and Mankaris) which were a part of the Indore state'sDurbar.

Hukumchand became a leading business magnate of the country doing speculative and ready trade in commodities on a large scale. He was known as the "Cotton Prince of India" and had much credit even in some overseas countries. The New York Cotton exchange was closed for two day on his death. His offices were located in important cities of India.^[2]

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.^[3]

Hukumchand was a champion of the nationwide Khadi Movement initiated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920 and a leader of the Swadeshi Movement of 1931 in Bombay. He financially supported Hindi Sahitya Sammelan and was President of Madhya Bharat Hindi Sahitya Samiti.

He had an unparalleled record of religious and social service. He protected Jain Tirthas, and constructed and repaired several Jain temples. He built the famous Kach Ka Mandir in Indore.

He served as:

• President of Digambar Jain Mahasabha
• Dig. Jain Trithakshetra Committee
• Bombay Prantic Dig, Jain Sabha
• Presidió numerosas organizaciones religiosas, sociales y políticas.

Gracias a su influencia, resolvió importantes problemas religiosos y sociales. Fue un gran devoto de los monjes jainistas y realizó numerosas peregrinaciones.

Fue nombrado Rai Bahadur en 1915 y honrado con el título de 'Sir' ( caballero ) en 1919. El Maharajá de Gwalior le otorgó el Khilat y los gobernantes de Indore lo honraron con los títulos de Rajya Bhushan, Rao Raja y Rajya Ratna.

Él estableció:

• Hospital Oftalmológico Sir Hukam Chand
• Residencia de ancianos Kalyanmal
• Raj Kumar Singh Ayurvedic
• Hogar de maternidad Kanchan Bai
• Kanchan Bai Shravikashram
• Mercado textil de Tukoji Rao
• Gaushala, templo jainista y residencia estudiantil en la Universidad de Banaras.

Durante la visita de Mahatma Gandhi a Indra Bhawan , Hukumchand accedió a cederle sus 40 acres (160.000 m² ⁾ de tierras de cultivo para la construcción del pueblo de Kasturbagram. 

Donó 400 000 rupias para la construcción del Lady Hardinge Medical College and Hospital en Nueva Delhi. Donó 200 000 rupias para el bienestar de los agricultores. Brindó una enorme ayuda financiera durante la hambruna de 1899 y las epidemias de peste de 1903 y 1908.

En sus últimos años, Hukamchand dejó de usar ropa cara y joyas con incrustaciones de piedras preciosas, y optó por ropa sencilla. ^{[ 4 ]}

• Colegio Daly
• Club Yeshwant
• Tukojirao Holkar II
• Shivajirao Holkar
• Tukojirao Holkar III
• Yeshwantrao Holkar II

• Perfil: Sir Seth Hukumchand . Consultado el 24 de enero de 2023.