Bajaj Group: Evolving in Tandem with the Nation

Founded 90 years back as a sugar factory in Lakhimpur Kheri of Uttar Pradesh by Jamnalal Bajaj, the group has survived vagaries of the socio-political and economic scene in the country to emerge as one of the largest conglomerates. The sugar mill, along with 30 others, established the sugar industry in India. Founder Jamnalal Bajaj was an industrialist cum philanthropist cum freedom fighter. He was born into a poor Rajasthani family, but was adopted by a distant relative who was doing well as a trader. Growing up, Jamnalal Bajaj learnt about business from his foster family. He was also a follower of Gandhi and donated most of his wealth made by way of business. Upon his death, the mantle was passed to his son Kamlanayan Bajaj.

Following in his father’s footsteps, the Cambridge-educated Kamlanayan Bajaj took the business forward. He acquired ailing industrial units to revive them and diversified into scooter and three-wheeler manufacture, cement and alloy casting. Ramkrishna Bajaj, the younger son of Jamnalal, took over after the demise of his elder brother Kamalnayan Bajaj in 1972.