The Raja Gokaldass Mills Limited
THE RAJA GOKALDASS MILLS LIMITED.
Share
certificate printed in Black Ink. Probably started as a proprietary or
partnership company in the late 19th century, it was incorporated under
the Indian Companies Act 1913 after having been taken over by Sir Homi
Maneck Mehta and Sheth Mangaldas G Parekh. Capital 6,00,000 rupees in
6,000 shares of 100 rupees. Later on the face value of shares was
reduced to 50 rupees.
"Raja
Gokuldas Mills" was set up by one Raja Gokuldas Malpani (1839 – 1909), a
Marwari millionaire from Jabalpur. He later set up a chain of ginning
and pressing factories at Gadarwara, Piparia, Harda, Khandwa, Wardha and
more places in the Central Provinces and Berar, at Banda and Etawah in
Uttar Pradesh and Multan in Punjab. In 1883, Lord Ripon, the Viceroy of
India conferred the title of "Rai Bahadur" upon him and in 1889, he was
given the title of Raja in recognition of his great wealth and power.
His family was considered one of the wealthiest families in Central
Provinces. Unfortunately, his decedents could not hold on to the wealth
generated by him and it appears that they had to sell off the Mill.
The
Mills were acquired by Sir Homi Maneck Mehta KCIE KBE JP (1 April 1871 –
15 April 1948) in partnership with Seth Mangaldas G Parekh of
Ahmedabad. This was after the duo had joined hands to acquire the
Victoria Mills Ltd in 1904 and Jubilee Mills. Raja Gokaldas Mills was
converted in to Limited Company and it appears that the first and only
issue of shares was made in 1918. The Managing Agents of the company
were Mangaldas Mehta & Co (probably a partnership between Sheth
Mangaldas Girdhardas Parekh and Sir Homi Maneck Mehta)
The
company was making excellent progress till the 1920's but I have not
been able to find any information on the company thereafter.

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