A gift of 13,000 rupees to Mahatma Gandhi enabled the continued operation of the Kochrab Ashram after other donors withdrew their support following the inclusion of an untouchable family. Ambalal Sarabhai, a descendant of the financier Maganbhai Karamchand, provided these funds to sustain the institution, demonstrating the intersection of his commercial success and political engagement within the Indian independence movement.
Early Career and Municipal Service
Born in 1890 into a Śvetāmbara Jain and Shrimali family, Sarabhai began his public life at age twenty-one. In 1910, the government appointed him to the Ahmedabad municipality. That same year, he married Sarladevi, the daughter of a Rajkot-based lawyer. This period marked the beginning of his transition toward major industrial responsibilities within his family's established business interests.
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Sarabhai focused his professional efforts on the Ahmedabad Manufacturing and Calico Printing Company Limited. He sought to transform this enterprise into the most advanced textile facility in the metropolis. In 1912, he undertook a ten-month voyage to England to research global textile business practices and culture. By 1922, he successfully installed a complete fine-count spinning, weaving, and processing mill within Calico Mills, cementing its industrial prominence.
Life in England and Public Perception
During his 1912 stay in England, Sarabhai resided in a rented Richmond home with Sarladevi, their daughter Mridula, and several relatives. The family maintained the lifestyle of upper-class English aristocrats, employing a butler, chauffeur, valet, and maid. Locally, his family became known as the 'Medici of Ahmedabad' for their significant influence on the development, culture, and political landscape of the city.
Foundation and Legacy
Beyond his tenure as chairman and promoter of Calico Mills, he founded the Sarabhai Group of Companies. His career bridged the era of the British Raj and the transition into the Dominion of India. He died in 1967, having established a record as an industrialist, philanthropist, and institution builder whose influence extended well beyond his primary textile interests.
Fast facts
- Born: 1890
- Died: 1967
- Spouse: Sarladevi
- Primary Enterprise: Calico Mills
- Ancestry: Śvetāmbara Jain
- Affiliation: Indian independence movement
- Known As: Medici of Ahmedabad
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of his financial support for Gandhi?
He provided 13,000 rupees to fund the Kochrab Ashram for two years when other financial support ceased due to Gandhi's decision to include an untouchable family.
What was his role at Calico Mills?
He served as the promoter and chairman, transforming the company into a modern textile facility by installing advanced spinning and weaving equipment in 1922.
