2019-07-15 Mon

Born today on 15th July in 1783 Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy was the 1st Baronet Jejeebhoy of Bombay. He is historically noted for his cotton and opium trade to China in the 18th and 19th century. Jamsetjee was a Parsi-Indian merchant and philanthropist and was also considered Bombay’s most worthy son.

At the age of sixteen, he commenced his first voyage to China form Calcutta to trade cotton and opium. Jejeebhoy second voyage to China was made in a ship of the East India Company’s fleet. Simultaneously he went for his fourth Voyage, these all the four Voyages were not as successful has he accepted. Jejeebhoy’s took his fifth Voyage to China again from Calcutta which bears him fruits Till 1870 Jejeebhoy establish his reputation as an enterprising merchant possessed of considerable wealth. It is proclaimed at the age of 40, he accumulated the capital of Two crore rupees in that time. His riches came from the cotton trade during the Napoleonic Wars.

Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy co-operation with East India Company reaped him many benefits due to which he purchased at least six ships for his smooth trade with China. As Jejeebhoy was a self made-man and experience difficulties of poverty in early life, he donated for the welfare of poor throughout India by establishing Hospitals, schools, homes of charity and pension funds.

India Post issued a commemorative stamp on death centenary of Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, BART in 1959 to pay tribute to this.

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