Dhurtakhyan

Author(s): Haribhadrasuri, Jinvijay
Publisher: Saraswati Pustak Bhandar Ahmedabad

Page 7

SINGHI JAIN SERIES
[A Short History Of The Series ] Babu S'ri Dalchandji Singhi, in whose sacred memory the present Series is inaugurated by his son, Babu Sri Bahadur Singhji Singhi was born in Azimganj (Murshidabad) in the Vikrama Samvat 1921 ( 1865 A. D. ), and died in Calcutta on the 30th December, 1927. The Singhi family of Azimganj occupies almost the foremost rank among the few hundred Jaina families which migrated to Bengal from Rajputana in the latter part of the 17th century and took their domicile in the district of Murshidabad. The family rose to its present position and prominence chiefly through the energy and enterprise of that self-made man, Babu Dalchandji Singhi.
Owing to financial difficulties, Dalchandji Singhi had abruptly to cut short his educational career and join the family business at the early age of 14. The family had been carrying on business in the name of Messrs Hurisingh Nehalchand for a long time though, in those days, it was not at all a prominent firm. But having taken the reins of the firm in his own hands, Babu Dalchandji developed it on a very large scale; and it was mainly through his business acumen, industry, perseverance and honesty that this comparatively unknown firm of "Hurisingh Nehalchand" came to be reckoned as the foremost jute concern with branches in almost all the impor. tant jute centres of Bengal. The fruits of Dalchandji Singhi's toils were immense, and the reputation of the firm in commercial circles was indeed unique.
Having thus brought his jute business to the most flourishing condi. tion, Babu Dalchandji Singhi diverted his attention to the mineral resources of India and spent many lacs of rupees in prospecting the coal fields of Korea State (C. P.), limestone deposits of Sakti State and Akaltara, and the bauxite deposits of Belgaum and Sawantwadi and Ichalkaranji States. His scheme for the Hiranyakeshi Hydro-Electric Project and manufacture of aluminium from bauxite ores, the first of its kind in India, is yet to be developed. His mining firm, Messrs Dalchand Bahadur Singh is reputed to be one of the foremost colliery proprietors in India. While so engaged in manifold business, he also acquired and possessed vast Zamindary estates spreading over the districts of 24-Perganas, Rangpur, Purnea, Maldah, etc.
But the fame of Babu Dalchandji Singhi was not confined to his unique position in commercial circles. He was equally well-known for his liberality and large-heartedness, though he always fought shy of publicity attached to charitable acts and often remained anonymous while feeding the needy and patronizing the poor. A few instances of his liberality are given below.