Lallubhai Samaldas

Sir Lallubhai Samaldas Mehta (14 October 1863 – 14 October 1936) was a wealthy aristocrat and advisor in the court of the Maharaja of Bhavnagar in Gujarat. He was involved in the establishment of numerous industries in western India, particularly in the shipping industry. He also took an interest in the coopertive movement and presided over the Swadeshi League. The Samaldas College in Bhavnagar was established by him in his father's memory. He also took an interest in national politics and was associated with the leaders of the time.

Life and work

Samaldas was born in Bhavnagar, Saurashtra. His father Samaldas was a Chief Justice and Dewan in the kingdom of Bhavnagar, a position that was also held by his grandfather Parmanand from 1828 to 1877. Born in aristocracy he went to study in Bhavnagar and then at Elphinstone College before working for the Maharaja of Bhavnagar. He married Satyavati, daughter of Bholanath Sarabhai in 1884. He became a revenue commissioner in 1884. In 1926 he visited England to organize ships for the Scindia Steam Navigation Company which he developed along with Walchand Hirachand and Narottam Morarji. He also travelled to Japan in 1933 about which he wrote a book. He established a mill,[1] served as a director of the Tata Iron and Steal Company, and promoted a range of manufacturing industries. He was made CIE in 1914 and knighted in 1926.[2]

References
  1. Kannangara, A. P. (1968). "Indian Millowners and Indian Nationalism before 1914". Past & Present (40): 147–164. ISSN 0031-2746.
  2. Sen, S.P., ed. (1974). Dictionary of National Biography. Volume III. Calcutta: Institute of Historical Studies. pp. 79–81.
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