Jaganath Shunkerseth

Politician, Academic

1803 – 1865

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Who was Jaganath Shunkerseth?

Hon. Jugonnath "Nana" Sunkersett Esq., was an Indian philanthropist and educationalist. He was born in 1803 in the wealthy Murkute family of the Daivadnya Brahmin caste in Mumbai. Unlike his forefathers, he engaged in commerce and soon developed a reputation as a very reliable businessman. So high was his credit that Arabs, Afghans and other foreign merchants chose to place their treasures in his custody rather than with banks. He soon acquired a large fortune, much of which he donated to the public.

Sunkersett became an active leader in many arenas of life in Bombay. Foreseeing the need for improvements in education, he became one of the founders of the School Society and the Native School of Bombay, the first of its kind in Western India. The school went through a series of name changes: in 1824, it became the Bombay Native Institution, in 1840, the Board of Education, and in 1856 the name which continues to this day, the Elphinstone Educational Institution. When the Students' Literary and Scientific Society first opened their girls' schools, Jugonnath Sunkersett contributed much of the necessary funds, despite strong opposition of some members of the Hindu community.

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Born
Feb 10, 1803
Mumbai
Also known as
  • Jagannath Shankar Shet
Religion
  • Hindu
Nationality
  • India
Profession
Lived in
  • Mumbai
  • Maharashtra
Died
Jul 31, 1865
Mumbai

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

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