Independence Day 2025: Sir Dorabji Tata To Jamnalal Bajaj, Businessmen Who Contributed To Freedom Struggle | A List

Independence Day 2025: While many businessmen contributed to India's independence struggle, some made truly wholehearted contributions. These individuals had the mind of a clever businessman, but the heart of a freedom fighter. Industrialists like Sir Dorabji Tata, Jamnalal Bajaj, and Purushottamdas Thakurdas were some of the men who not only gave financial support to the Congress but also its campaigns.

Haji Usman Sait, a key contributor, was even called the "cash bag" of the Indian National Congress. Here's a look at some of the major donors:

1. Sir Dorabji Tata

Sir Dorabji Tata, an Indian industrialist, was a financial supporter of institutions like the Indian National Congress and also contributed to providing scholarships for many Indian students studying abroad.

2. Jamnalal Bajaj

Jamnalal Bajaj was an Indian industrialist and a close friend of Mahatma Gandhi. He founded the Bajaj Group of Companies in the 1920s. In the early days of the freedom struggle, Bajaj used his wealth to support campaigns run by Mahatma. Beyond finance, he also played an important role in organising movements such as the Dandi March and Civil Disobedience.

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3. Purushottamdas Thakurdas

Purushottamdas Thakurdas, a cotton trader, banker, and industrialist from Mumbai, held several positions, including serving as the Sheriff of Bombay in the 1920s and as the president of the Cotton Association of India. He had co-founded the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in 1927, on the advice of Mahatma Gandhi and assistance from GD Birla, to promote Indian business interests.

4. Haji Usman Sait

Haji Usman Sait, also known as "Congress's cash bag", was born into a wealthy business family. Usman, along with his father, had opened a small shopping center named "Cash Bazaar". He used his wealth to provide substantial support to the Indian National Congress.

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5. G D Birla

Ghanshyam Das Birla, who is known for establishing big names such as Hindustan Motors, UCO Bank, and the well-known Birla Institute of Technology and Science, was a close supporter of Mahatma Gandhi. He had provided financial aid for the independence struggle and for many of Mahatma Gandhi's activities and movements, such as Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience.

6. Seth Hukumchand

Seth Hukumchand, known as the "Cotton Prince of India", established cotton mills in Indore. He was also credited with opening India's first jute mill. He wholeheartedly supported movements such as Khadi and Swadeshi. As an important financier, Hukumchand was very supportive of Mahatma Gandhi's ideology as his contributions aided many movements that Gandhiji aimed at.

7.Sarla Devi Chaudhrani

Sarla Devi Chaudhrani was an Indian freedom fighter, feminist, and social worker. She was one of the first women to be elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly. Devi was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, as she took part in many fundraising movements for campaigns and worked to increase women's participation in the freedom movement.

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8. Tirupur Kumaran

Tirupur Kumaran of Tamil Nadu was lesser famous name, but he had made significant contributions to the freedom struggle. He even sold his family's jewelry to raise money for the cause. Kumaran belonged to Tamil Nadu and is considered a martyr of the independence movement. He had to drop out of school early due to his family's financial situation. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's speeches, he became an active participant in the freedom struggle.