Thakurdas Jaiswal

Raja Rai Bahadur Thakurdas Jaiswal was an Indian landlord raja and businessman from the royal family Jamalpur. He was a nationalist who contributed in the freedom movement.

Personal life

The known family lineage began in the 13th century. He migrated to Ranchi from Uttar Pradesh. He finished his education from Allahabad University earning a gold medal. His son Rai Sahib Laxmi Narayan grew the business, which allowed him, in 1922, to become the first Indian to own a Ford car that carried Mahatma Gandhi from Ranchi to Ramgarh for the Ramgarh Congress convention in 1940. It later conveyed Indian Presidents Rajendra Prasad and Zakir Hussain. Friends continue to use it for marriage processions.

Rai Sahib's son Sheo Narain Jaiswal was chairman of Ranchi municipality (1962–76). Family member Rajaram Shastri was awarded by Padma Vibhusan and was a Member of Parliament from Varanasi. Great grandson of Rai Sahib served as State President of Jharkhand Pradesh Professionals Congress and state secretary in Jharkhand Indian National Congress and as President of social organization Empower Jharkhand which works to help the underprivileged.

Career

He was given various names out of respect including "shellac king of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh". He contributed towards the freedom movement by donating money. He donated lands to tribal people. Shri Rai Sahib turned down the title of Raja Saheb by the British government following Gandhiji’s advice in 1938. Shri Rai Bahadur was an industrial advisor to the government before independence.

The Jaiswal family is a traditional Congress supporter. Many family ancestors were leaders of the party.

In 18th century, the British government identified the potential of Madhuca longifolia and helped the Jaiswal family to open Ranchi distillery, the first in India, in 1875.

References

Sources

"The Ford that drove Gandhi a big draw for grooms". Hindustan Times. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
Deogharia, Jaideep (23 April 2013). "High time to make most of mahua". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
"Vintage vroom in Hatia bypoll - Ford that ferried Gandhi to Ramgarh rolls out for Cong in capital today". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
"Aditya V Jaiswal made PCC secy". www.dailypioneer.com. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
Kislaya, Kelly (1 February 2013). "Liquor merchant's passion for vintage cars". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
"The Red Ford that Mahatma rode". The Times of India. 1 February 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
"Civic Drive". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 22 July 2019.