Parsi Businessman Cowasji Readymoney Bombay, 1867 Photo
An 1890 rare photo of the Parsi businessman Cowasji Readymoney in British Era Bombay (Mumbai). A highly regarded industrialist and philanthropist. He was the son of the man who built the first cotton mill in Bombay. Cowasji’s father Cowasjee Nanabhai Davar opened the first cotton mill in the city in 1854.
Cowasji Jehangir was knighted by Queen Victoria. He adopted the moniker “Readymoney” the British had given his family. Readymoney had built colleges, hospitals, clubs, etc. He financed the building of the University of Bombay. The islands of Bombay developed into a single landmass by reclamation.
By 1830 onwards a rapid commercial expansion took place. The growing prosperity, together with religious tolerance shown by the British, attracted immigrants from all over the Indian sub-continent and from abroad. Out of them were the Parsis, shrewd businessmen from Gujarat who came to make their fortunes.
The Parsis- a Zoroastrian community had fled from Persia in the 8th century due to persecution. First settled in Surat on India’s west coast. On the persuasion of the British, they moved down to the new land of Bombay from Surat. The British had first encountered the Parsis in Surat and had found them valuable as middlemen between themselves and their Indian suppliers. Click on the photo for better view.
See previous post Parsi Fire Temple Mumbai – Old Postcard 1905. Read more on Cowasji Jehangir Readymoney.
Did you know- this respected Bombay Parsi businessman Readymoney was knighted for his philanthropy, he died in 1878.
From the collection- M F Hussain Painting – Air India Advertising Postcard 1960., Coonoor In Nilgiris – Old Postcard 1910., Vintage 1945 Book – The Story Of Fort St George.
