Laxman Kashinath Kirloskar (English: Laxman Kashinath Kirloskar, born- 20 June, 1869, Belgaum district, Mysore; died- 26 September, 1956) was one of the famous industrialists of India. He was the founder of ‘Kirloskar Industry Group’. He was also appointed as a teacher in ‘Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute’, Mumbai. In his early days, Laxman Kashinath Kirloskar started his life’s struggle by opening a bicycle shop. Later, with his hard work and perseverance, he established many industrial units of ‘Kirloskar’.
Birth and Education Laxman Kashinath Kirloskar was born on 20 June 1869 in Belgaum district near Mysore. As he was not interested in studies in childhood, he got admitted in JJ School of Art, Mumbai. But soon he realized that due to a defect in his eyes, he was not able to recognize colors properly. After this, he learned mechanical drawing and got appointed as a teacher in ‘Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute’, Mumbai. He used to go and work in factories in his free time. This gave him knowledge about machines.
When Kirloskar saw a person riding a bicycle for the first time in his life, he along with his brother opened a bicycle shop named ‘Kirloskar Brothers’. In their spare time, they used to sell bicycles, repair them and also teach people how to ride a bicycle.
When an Anglo-Indian was promoted in place of Laxman Kashinath Kirloskar in his job, Kirloskar left the post of a teacher and opened a small factory and started making fodder cutting machines and iron ploughs. Meanwhile, due to restrictions imposed by Belgaum Municipality, he had to shift his factory to Maharashtra. Here, he laid the foundation of an industrial colony named ‘Kirloskar Wadi’ on 32 acres of land. This desolate place was soon transformed and Kirloskar’s industrial units were also established in Bangalore, Pune, Dewas (Madhya Pradesh) etc. Various equipment used in agriculture and industries started being manufactured in these units. Lokmanya Tilak, Nehruji, Vishveshvaraya, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari etc. were all admirers of Kirloskar’s efforts.
Laxman Kashinath Kirloskar died on 26 September, 1956.
