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Chapter 16. Distinguished People of Halar
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Padamshi was more adventurous. He bought a big ship, filled it with grain, spices and condiments and sailed to China. He sold all the merchandise he had brought in Canton harbor. He bought silk, sugar and other merchandise. There he came in contact with a rich Chinese merchant Yuan Chang, who had a great desire to see India. Yuan Chang accompanied Padamshi on the return journey to Bhadravati and stayed for four months in India. He made a business agreement with the Lalan brothers. It turned out to be very profitable for both parties.
In 1650 they went on pilgrimage to Shatrunjay tirth. They stopped in Jamnagar on their way to Shatrunjay. Jam Sataji, the ruler gave them a royal welcome. He sent guards for the protection of the pilgrims on the way. On the return trip they again stopped at Jamnagar. Jam Sataji invited them to stay in Jamnagar and asked them to open a business there, which they did. They became close friends of the king and very popular with the people. After some time Jam appointed Padamshi Shah as his Chief Minister.
Mohansinh Shah: He was of Mithodia gotra, lived in Jamnagar and ran a shipping business. A folk story is that during one of his trips a statue of Lord Shantinath was caught in the anchor of his ship while they were in Dwarka. He built a magnificent temple in Jamnagar and installed that image.
During the reign of Jam Sataji there lived a Mahajan, Patobhai Shah (V.S. 1625-1662) of Khimasia gotra in the village of Dhuniya. He was a very generous man. Jam Sataji respected him very much. People use to say that Nagar ma Jam Sato ane Dhuniya gam ma Shah Pato (In the city Jam Sato rules but in the village of Dhuniya Shah Pato rules). He was rich. Once he feasted the whole Mahajan community. He even ceremoniously married the mountains Tungo and Tungi. During that ceremony he used five hundred thirty five metal containers of ghee.
