1400s
Thakur Padmasha, belonging to the ancient city of Ossiya in Rajasthan, was a Sisodia Rajput of the Kshatriya (warrior) clan. He kills a deer, realises his sin and turns to Jainism.
1500s
Sheshkaran, grandson of Padmasha, moves away from the desert region of Rajasthan to the city of Ahmedabad and works at a jeweler’s place.
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1615
Shantidas Sheth (1590-1659), a chief jeweler in the courts of Mughal Emperors Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan earns great prestige through his honesty. He funds these emperors in there hours of need and is responsible for saving Jain temples during the Mughal Era. Title of ‘Nagarsheth’ given to him and his family for using their wealth for the benefit of the society.
1725
Khushalchand Sheth (1680-1748), the grand son of Shantidas pays up a sum of 500,000 rupees from his personal wealth on behalf of the city of Ahmedabad to the invading Marathas to save it from destruction. Later, it was decided that Khushalchand and his descendants would receive a levy of a quarter per cent on all goods stamped in the municipal weighing yard. Khushalchand, however, refuses to accept the money.
1870
Dalpatbhai Bhagubhai, great grandson of Khushalchand, starts using his wealth to expand his influence by financially supporting social reforms and education in the city.
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1897
Lalbhai, son of Dalpatbhai, establishes Saraspur Manufacturing Company, the first firm of the Lalbhai clan. His name has been there ever since as his descendants’ last name.
1905
Raipur Mills come into existence to lay the foundation stone on which the Lalbhai Industrial Empire would be built.
1920
Kasturbhai Lalbhai, son of Lalbhai and known as the father or modern Indian textile industry, starts the first large scale textile mill named Ashoka Mills.
1931
Arvind Limited comes into being.
1935
Ahmedabad Education Society (AES) is founded by the family and 625 acres of land from the family trust is donated for building various collages.
1947
Atul Products Limited, a new chemical company is started by Kasturbhai Lalbhai.
1950
Chinubhai Lalbhai, nephew of Kasturbhai, becomes the first Mayor of Ahmedabad.
1950s
In concert with the Indian government, Kasturbhai uses the family’s charitable trusts to create Ahmedabad Textile Industry Research Association (ATIRA), Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Indian Institute of Management – (IIM-A), School of Architecture, National Institute of Design (NID) and Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Science Center.
1989
Arvind becomes the 3rd highest manufacturer of denim in the world.
2008
Anang Lalbhai, son of Kasturbhai’s nephew Ajaybhai, after having spent over 20 years at the helm of things at Arvind moves out to start his own venture – Pelican Business Ventures.
2014
The Lalbhai family continues to expand while also contributing huge amounts of money for social causes.