Hardial Singh

Who was Hardial Singh?

Hardial Singh Bajaj.

Son of Mehar Singh and Thakur Devi, the eldest of six children. In the early years, he worked as a porter unloading trucks. He was ridiculed by family for selling celebrity photos. He then worked as a hawker selling textile pieces from rolls he carried on his shoulders.

He was first married in 1920 to Kirpal Kaur, daughter of Tara Singh. He then migrated to Kuala Lumpur, Malaya and became a renowned textile merchant. He was associated with Gian Singh & Co., Hardial Singh & Co. and Hardial Singh & Sons. "King of Textiles" as pronounced by The Statesman when he landed in Calcutta, India. He was a property investor and a spices and films trader.

During World War II in Singapore, the Imperial Japanese Army Anti-Espionage Department imprisoned and tortured him, burning him with cigarette butts thinking him to be a spy. Sardar Singh Chatwal arranged for special meals and his release. He was rumoured to have been considered for knighthood and having lost the chance by unwittingly importing shirts in violation of the Arrow trademark.