Rise and Glory History of Halari Visa Oshwals

Author(s): Rati Dodhia
Publisher: Rati Dodhia

Page 15

Part I. Origin
Treasurers, Stewards, and Commanders of the Armies, in Indian Kingdoms. They occupied important administrative and military posts under rulers of many dynasties. There are instances of persons who showed great leadership on battlefields.
By greatly impressing the Mogul Emperors the commander Munot Nensi was able to bring many political and social reforms. Karamchand and Khivansi Bhandari were able soldiers belonging to the Oshwal community. Shri Dayal Sinha, the Prime Minister and commander of Raja Sinhaji, Maharana of Mevad, fought against the forces of Emperor Aurangzeb. Sheth Khushalchand saved the city of Ahemdabad from Maratha raid.
The great literary Poet Magh (732 V.S.) author of epic poem Shishupalvadham, written in Sanskrit, was Shrimal. Shri Devilal, the protector and promoter of folk art, was born in the Oshwal community. Seth Shantidas Zaveri ancestor of the distinguished Ahmedabad businessman Kasturbhai Lalbhai was jeweler to the Mughal Emperor Akbar and received grants of several Jain tirths (places of pilgrimage), Samet Sikhar, Palitana and others, from the Emperor. Rao Bahadur Seth Premchandbhai Himabhai established the well-known institute of Seth Anandji Kalyanji, which manages the affairs of many Jain tirths. (The title 'Seth' ('Sheth) refers to a leader of business community.)
The Oshwals of Gujarat maintained their fame in visual arts. Oshwals constructed beautiful temples in Santrujay, Girnar, Ranakpur, Abu, and other places of North India. The contribution of Jain Oshwals to the social and cultural heritage of India has been, in proportion of their numbers, many times higher than that of the rest of the population of the country. The wealthiest community in India is the Oshwal community. In nineteenth century one lakh (100,000) families of Oshwals controlled and owned half the wealth of India.