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Shri Jamnalal Bajaj

The house at Kashi-ka-vas, Sikar, Rajasthan, where Jamnalal was born on <b>4 November, 1889</b>

Jamnalal with his father Kaniram, a proud, well-to-do farmer and moneylender.

Jamnalal's mother, Birdibai, a god-fearing homely woman

In <b>June 1894</b>, Seth Bachhraj Bajaj and his wife Saddibai, an elderly couple from Wardha, had come to their ancestral town, Sikar, in search of a boy whom they could adopt as their grandson. They had recently lost their adopted son, Ramdhandas and there was no one to inherit their business and vast estate.

The Bajaj couple happened to come to Kashi-ka-vas and came to visit Kaniram's home. 4 year old Jamnalal saw Saddibai. He mistook her to be his grandmother who had passed away recently. He ran to her shouting 'Dadi has come... Dadi has come...' and mounted her lap. Saddibai liked Jamnalal immediately and asked his mother Birdibai whose son he was. As is the simple village folk's wont, Birdibai said,' He's yours...'That very moment Saddibai decided that Jaman was the grandson she was looking for and she would not go back to Wardha without Jamnalal.

There was much resistance from Jamnalal's family, but finally they gave in. There was an acute shortage of water in the region. Bachhrajji promised to build a borewell at Kashi-ka-bas and a dream turned into reality. Seth Bachhraj and Saddibai took the four year old Jaman to Wardha.

Started his schooling at a Marathi Primary School on <b>1st February, 1896</b> but was forced to drop out of school in 1900. Bachhrajji wanted him to be a trader, not a scholar. Jamnalal had to learn English under a tutor for three months because the family often hosted the English gentlemen and officers.

Jamnalal was 11 and Jankidevi merely 8 when they married in <b>May, 1902</b>. Interestingly, Saddibai chose Jankidevi not for her looks but with a view that Janki would bear the children who would keep the name of Bajaj clan alive.

In <b>1906</b>, Shri Krishnadas Jajoo, an advocate friend, and Jamnalaljis political mentor took him to Calcutta Congress where he met Bal gangadhar Tilak, Dadabhoy Naoroji, Jagdish Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore and Madan Mohan Malviya. He contributed Rs. 100/- to the Hindi <b>Kesari</b> published by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

In <b>1906</b>, Shri Krishnadas Jajoo, an advocate friend, and Jamnalaljis political mentor took him to Calcutta Congress where he met Bal gangadhar Tilak, Dadabhoy Naoroji, Jagdish Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore and Madan Mohan Malviya. He contributed Rs. 100/- to the Hindi <b>Kesari</b> published by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

In <b>1907</b>, Jamnalal, hardly 17 then, found it hard to concentrate on the affairs of trade only. He read newspapers regularly and enjoyed the company of sadhus and religious people. But above all, he liked the company of politically aware individuals which was almost a taboo in the Bajaj household. Jamnalal also was not overly in love with gold and diamond jewellery. And it was this aversion that precipitated a big crisis in the Bajaj household.<br><br>At a marriage in a relative's family, Bacchrajji asked Jamnalal to wear some ornaments, which he refused. Bacchrajji lashed out at Jamnalal saying that he did not deserve to be his grandson, nor was he a worthy successor to all his wealth. Jamnalal was so upset that he wrote a long resignation letter in which he made it absolutely clear that he had no love for money and left the home but before he could board a train to Hardwar, Bacchrajji realized his mistake and brought him back home. From that day onward Bacchraj-ji was a totally changed man till he breathed his last on <b>3rd June, 1907</b>.

Pran-pratishtha of Lakshminarayan Mandir at Wardha took place on <b>7th February, 1908</b>.

Jamnalal was designated Honorary Magistrate in <b>December, 1908</b>.

In 1910, Jamnalal, established the Marwari Vidyarthi Griha and the Marwari High School at Wardha in 1912. He travelled extensively in Marwar and visited a number of educational institutions to make a first hand appraisal of their plight.

On 27th August, 1912, the first child, a daughter, Kamlabai, was born.

His first Son, Kamalnayan was born on 22nd January, 1915. On 19th May, 1915, he opened a shop -- Bachhraj Jamnalal -- in Mumbai. In the same year he also established the Marwari Vidyalaya and Marwari Shiksha Mandal in Mumbai.

Came in contact with Mahatma Gandhi for the first time in 1915. Bapu's simplicity etched itself so deeply in Jamnalal's mind that he radically changed his own and the family's life-style. Wearing of gold and other ornaments was totally given up. Purdah was discarded. Some other tradions like Jankidevi drinking her husband's charnodak were also done away with.

Came in contact with Mahatma Gandhi for the first time in 1915. Bapu's simplicity etched itself so deeply in Jamnalal's mind that he radically changed his own and the family's life-style. Wearing of gold and other ornaments was totally given up. Purdah was discarded. Some other tradions like Jankidevi drinking her husband's charnodak were also done away with.

Second daughter Madalsa was born in 1917. In the same year he also entered the political arena and played host to Mahatma Gandhi. He was bestowed with the title of Raibahadur.

Second daughter Madalsa was born in 1917. In the same year he also entered the political arena and played host to Mahatma Gandhi. He was bestowed with the title of Raibahadur.

Third daughter Uma was born in 1919. The same year he was chosen to preside over Marwari Agrawal Mahasabha, Wardha

Jamnalal offered to be the 'fifth son' of Gandhi in 1920. But Bapu, while accepting the offer ostensibly told him that it was Jamnalal who was the sole giver and taker in this deal and Bapu was not giving anything in return. So what? Was it not the greatest boon that Bapu had bestowed him with when he accepted him as his 'fifth son'? It could be called a deal between two banias.Chaired the reception committee of Nagpur session of the Congress and was made Treasurer of the Congress.

In 1921, he took part in Non-cooperation Movement and jumped headlong into the National Movement. The commissioner of Nagpur met Jamnalal and charged him with misusing the power that came with the title of Raibahadur. The commissioner was very unhappy with the fact that political activists of all hues came to stay at the Bajaj house. Jamnalalji's closeness to Gandhiji was not acceptable to the British authorities and it was told to him in so many words. Jamnalalji said he would in no way give up Gandhiji's proximity. In that case, he was told, he could no longer be considered loyal to the British. Jamnalal renounced the title of Raibahadur and made it clear that he was with the masses and the freedom fighters.

In 1921, he took part in Non-cooperation Movement and jumped headlong into the National Movement. The commissioner of Nagpur met Jamnalal and charged him with misusing the power that came with the title of Raibahadur. The commissioner was very unhappy with the fact that political activists of all hues came to stay at the Bajaj house. Jamnalalji's closeness to Gandhiji was not acceptable to the British authorities and it was told to him in so many words. Jamnalalji said he would in no way give up Gandhiji's proximity. In that case, he was told, he could no longer be considered loyal to the British. Jamnalal renounced the title of Raibahadur and made it clear that he was with the masses and the freedom fighters.

On 9th April, 1921 the Satyagrah Ashram was established at Wardha. Vinoba-ji came to stay in Wardha. August, 1921 saw the birth of Hindi-Navjivan.

Jamnalal's second son, Ramkrishna, was born in 1923. The same year, he was awarded chairmanship of the Khaddar Board.

On 13th April, 1923 Jamnalal organized and led the Jhanda (Flag) Satyagrah at Nagpur. Arrested during the Flag-Satyagrah. on 17th June that same year, "Bravo, my brave bania! I wish to kiss your feet!" was the message that Maulana Mohammad Ali sent to him.

Jamnalal alighting from his Ford, which he later had adapted to be pulled by bullocks. Sardar Patel humourously called it "Oxford". On 10th July, 1923 he was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment, with a fine of Rupees three thousand. On 18th July, 1923 he refused to pay fine, so his motorcar was confiscated, but not a single man from India came forward to buy it.In 1924, he was Appointed Chairman of Nagpur Congress Committee

Jamnalal undertook extensive travels in Rajasthan for the propagation of Khadi in 1925

October, 1925 saw the creation of Akhil Bharatiya Charkha Sangh. The Sasta Sahitya Mandal was also established established. Expulsion by the Panchayat.

Kamlabai's marriage in January 1925, took place at Satyagrahashram, Sabarmati, in the presence of Mahatma Gandhi.

On 26th May 1927, Jamnalal was appointed acting Chairman of the Akhil Bharatiya Charkha Sangh.

In July 1928, Jamnalal took part in Bardoli Satyagrah. And on 17th July, 1928, he founded the Gandhi Ashram at Hatundi (Ajmer).

Jamnalal ensured that the doors of Lakshminarayan temple were opened to the harijans on 17th July, 1928. No threat could stop him from doing so. Vinoba-ji led the kirtan-mandali to the temple. A wave followed this pioneering effort as temple after temple was liberated all over the country.

In 1930 during the Salt Satyagraha, Jamnalal established the Ville Parle cantonement. Jankidevi and Kamalnayan went with the satyagrahis. He also started the Mahilashram at Wardha. On 10th April, 1930, Jamnalal was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for satyagrah.

Bapu came to live at Wardha in 1933. The same year Jamnalal was sent to jail once again because of satyagrah. In October 1933, he resigned from the chairmanship of Gandhi Sewa Sangh.

The Jaipur Praja Mandal was reorganised in 1936.

On 30th June, 1937 Kamalnayan was married. Earlier the same year, on 27th March, 1937, Jamnalal presided over the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Madras.

On 11th July, 1937, Madalsa married Shrimannarayan Agrawal.

The Sikar firing dispute resolved on 4th July, 1938.

Jamnalal, Rajendra Prasad and Jankidevi with Raman Maharshi at the Pondicherry Ashram on his holiness' birthday - 15th August, 1938.

On 29th December, Jamnalal was banned on entering Jaipur. Earlier, the Nagpur Bank was inaugurated on 27th October, 1938.

The period between 1st February and 19th March of 1939 was quite eventful. Jamnalalji defied the ban. He was arrested and deported outside Jaipur. He crossed the boundary and entered Jaipur again. The police arrested him and released him 40 miles away from Jaipur. In the tussle, Jamnalal was badly hurt but did not give up. He entered Jaipur again. This time he was put under house arrest within Jaipur state in Moran Sagar. Ultimately all the demands of the Praja Mandal were accepted and the Jaipur state reached a settlement with the Praja mandal.

On his release from Jaipur house arrest, Jamnalal being taken in a procession in August 1939.

In 1941, Jamnalal was arrested and sent to Nagpur jail for protesting against the World War. He was eventually released on 3rd June, 1941. The same month, he went to Shimla to recoup. Visited Dehradun on the way back. Met Ma Anandamayi. In her he found the real mother.

As per Gandhiji's and Ma Anandmayee's suggestion, Jamnalal, in the last phase of his life (1941 and 1942), dedicated himself to Goseva. On 1st February, 1942 the Go-Sewa Sammelan was held at Wardha and the Go-Sewa Sangh was founded. Jamnalal passed away on 11th February, 1942 in his ancestral home in Wardha and was cremated at Gopuri.

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