Govindram Seksaria (English: Govindram Seksaria, born- October 19, 1888; died- May 22, 1946) was one of the most successful businessmen of pre-independence India. He was also known as the Cotton King of India. He was the biggest industrialist of his time. Govindram Seksaria lost his parents at the age of 16. He took full responsibility of his wife, brothers- Bholaram, Ramnath, Makhanlal and two sisters. After achieving success in the cotton market, Govindram Seksaria expanded his horizons and entered bullion and other commodity markets. He was one of the founding members of the ‘Indian Stock Exchange’.
Govindram Seksaria was born on October 19, 1888 in Nawalgarh in the then state of Jaipur. He was born in an ordinary businessman family. His life was going on in a normal way but a mountain of troubles fell upon him when he lost both his mother and father simultaneously. He became orphan at the age of just 16. Along with this, the responsibility of a big family also fell upon him. His family did not have any prosperous business, which he could have taken care of and everything was fine. Here Govindram Seksaria had only one way, and that was to leave whatever his family had there and move ahead and make a new beginning. He did just that.[1]
Leaving Nawalgarh, Govindram Seksaria came to Bombay (present day Mumbai). It was here that he started his business in the 1900s under the name ‘M/s. Since India was under the British at that time, it was not easy for an Indian to start and expand his business. The British government was giving little to no support and encouragement to the Indians. In such a situation, planning development and making progress by investing one’s own money was risky and dangerous. At the same time, foreign firms that had established their ownership in major industries were getting full support from the British government.
In the 1920s, Govindram Seksaria took major steps towards national development by diversifying into vegetable oils as well as sugar, textiles, mining, banking, printing presses, motion pictures, bullion trading and real estate investments. At that time he had factories in more than half of the country. In 1937 he founded ‘Govindram Brothers Private Limited’, which was the centerpiece of his industrial vision.
Govindram Seksaria was also stubborn. He was determined that he had to move forward at any cost. Despite knowing the uncertain outcome, Govindram began his career as a cotton merchant in Bombay in such a risky industrial environment. He continued to move forward fighting against the attitude of the British. His courage was paying off. Within a few years, his farm gained membership of the ‘Cotton Contract Board’ constituted by the government and he became an original member of the ‘East India Cotton Association’. Within no time, Govindram Seksaria became a big name in the cotton market. There came a time when he came to be known as the ‘Cotton King’.
After becoming a big name in the worldwide cotton market, Govindram Seksaria’s enthusiasm was skyrocketing. Then he did not stop only at cotton trade. They entered the bullion market, various commodity markets as well as the stock exchanges in Bombay and elsewhere in the country. His firm became a respected member of the Marwari Chambers of Commerce, Bombay Bullion Exchange, Bombay Seeds Brokers Association and the Indian Merchants Chamber.
It is said that for Govindram Seksaria, the hunger for development and diversification was so great that this ‘Lion of Commerce’ was not going to be satisfied by merely developing business across the country. His hunger made him do something which was very rare in those days. The year was 1934, when an Indian, a citizen of a slave country, became an honored member of the ‘New York Cotton Exchange’. This was a rare privilege for an Indian at that time. He remained a member of the Exchange until his death. He also became active in the Liverpool Cotton Exchange. Even the import and export of copper, sugar and wheat of Britain and America came under its purview. Their impact was felt as much on international markets as it was on national markets. According to the articles of ‘The New York Times’ at that time, everyone was surprised to see his market operations in the New York Cotton Exchange. His decisions in the development of international commerce and markets came to be trusted and respected.[1]
In the 1920s, Govindram Seksaria took major steps towards national development by diversifying into vegetable oils as well as sugar, textiles, mining, banking, printing presses, motion pictures, bullion trading and real estate investments. At that time he had factories in more than half of the country. In 1937 he founded ‘Govindram Brothers Private Limited’, which was the centerpiece of his industrial vision.
Govindram Seksaria, who raised his flag against the British rule in the field of business, also had a strong sense of patriotism. Although he never made this sentiment public directly, he made a major contribution to the freedom movement. He remained out of the public eye except on rare special occasions. In 1940 he hosted members fighting for independence in his Poona bungalow. He also shared the stage with Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in Bombay.
Even though Govindram Seksaria received praise and respect in the country and internationally, it was all because of his business qualities. If we talk about education, he was far behind in this matter. He always regretted not receiving any formal education and hence, understanding the importance of education, he made a major contribution in establishing many schools, colleges, educational and medical institutions across India.
Govindram Seksaria was so humble that very few people knew about the countless donations he made. He never boasted about these things nor did he discuss them much among the people. Till some time before saying goodbye to this world, he had donated generously. He is said to have donated approximately Rs 2 crore to charity during his lifetime.
Despite being orphaned at a very young age, Govindram Seksaria, who went against the British and established his influence in foreign countries, died on May 22, 1946. After his death, rich tributes were paid to him by the press and other media. All major markets of Bombay including Bullion Exchange, Cotton Exchange, Stock Exchange remained closed as a mark of respect to the departed soul. Such an honor was a rare honor for an Indian in those days.[1]
