Seth Chhaju Ram

Seth Chhaju Ram Lamba (1861–1943) was from Punjab, India and made a fortune in Calcutta during the British Raj period. A philanthropist, he undertook many social improvement projects. He financed the higher studies of Sir Chhotu Ram.

Early life

He was born in a Hindu Jat family in 1861 at Alakhpura in Bawani Khera tehsil, Bhiwani district of then Punjab (current Haryana state). His father was Chaudhary Salig Ram Lamba and had migrated from the village of Gothra in Sikar district, Rajasthan.

He was married twice. His first wife was from the village Dohaka who died from cholera. He had no son from his first wife. Then he married Lakshmi Devi of the village Vilawal in Bhiwani district and had children with her.

Career

When in his early 20s, Lamba met Arya Samajist engineer Raisaheb Shivnath Rai, who was very much impressed him. Rai took Lamba to Kolkata and for some time Lamba coached Rai’s children and also those of a businessman from Rajgarh.

The market in Kolkata during those days was dominated by Marwaris. Lamba, who had a good knowledge of Hindi and English, did correspondence work for Seth traders and came to be known as Munshi Ji (accountant). During this work he picked up knowledge of their operations and in particular of the dalali (brokerage business or commission agency). He began to trade in old bags and later shifted to the new bags trade. He was, by this time, counted as a known Kolkata dalal.

He earned great wealth due to hard work and polite behavior. He purchased shares in companies. Later he also took in hand the trade of jute and became known as the Jute King.

Philanthropic work

He was a strong believer in Bhagwan. He adopted two siblings named Neera Arya and her brother Basant. He spent a lot of money in social welfare works. He started many hostels, libraries, Dharamshalas and schools, such as Jat School, Hisar (founded 1924).[1] He floated scholarships for financially weak and needy students. He financed higher studies of Sir 'Chhotu' Ram Richpal. He was known as Danveer Bhamashah of the Jat Kshatriya race. The British government awarded him the life peerage title of ‘Sir.’

Death

He died on 7 April 1943.

Legacy

Several prominent jat institutes are named after him, including the following:[2]

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References
  1. Haryana Gazetteers Organization (1987). "Gazetteer of India: Haryana, Hisar, pp.210" (PDF). Chandigarh: Controller of Printing and Stationery. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2014.
  2. C.R. Public School societ


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