Mangaldas Nathubhoy

Who was Mangaldas Nathubhoy?

Sir Mangaldas Nathubhoy, Seth or head of the Kapol Bania caste, well known for their thrift and keen commercial instincts.

He was born of a family whose ancestors emigrated from Diu to Bombay soon after Bombay came into British possession. His grandfather, Ramdas Manordas, amassed a considerable fortune, which, owing to the premature death of his father, came into the sole possession of Mangaldas at the age of eleven. He had to take charge of the business in early life, though he gave some time to English studies.

On the death of his wife he established a dispensary at Kalyan in her memory and also a special female ward in connexion with the David Sassoon hospital in Poona. As a merchant Mangaldas was upright and successful. In social matters he stood forth as a reformer, and to him the change to election from hereditary succession to the headship of the caste is due.

In 1862 he founded a fellowship in Bombay university to allow graduates to spend some years in Europe. A bequest in his will enabled the university to establish seven similar scholarships. He took keen interest in learning, and in such institutions as the Asiatic and geographical societies.