Sheth Hukamchandji

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text about Sheth Hukamchandji:

The book "Sheth Hukamchandji" by Atmanandji, published by Z_Arvachin_Jain_Jyotirdharo_001288.pdf, is a biographical account of a prominent Jain businessman and philanthropist.

Overall Persona: Sheth Hukamchandji is described as a significant figure in the business world, known for building his influential personality through self-strength, exceptional intelligence, unparalleled courage, and strong perseverance. He made diverse contributions to the industrial, economic, social, and cultural sectors of the country. He earned immense fame through the acquisition of vast material wealth and used it for social upliftment, distinguishing himself as a talented individual of his era. His core exceptional qualities included unwavering tolerance, generosity, humility, religiosity, philanthropy, and love for scholars. His business acumen and charitable work earned him a place of fame and respect throughout Hindustan (India).

Birth and Childhood: Born in Vikram Samvat 1931 (1874 CE), Sheth Hukamchandji's birth was followed by a continuous increase in wealth due to his auspicious influence. His father, Sheth Sarupchandji, was a sharp-minded businessman with a renowned reputation due to his business intelligence. He was also generous, religious, studious, and disciplined, with unwavering faith in religion. Sheth Hukamchandji inherited these qualities from his father.

From childhood, Hukamchandji was sharp-witted and highly talented with an excellent memory. The family was eager to provide him with a good education. His studies began at the age of five under Guru Shri Mohanlalji. Despite the generally low enthusiasm for education at the time, he received a timely education and also acquired religious knowledge. By the age of 15, he had made significant progress in business.

Married Life: Sheth Hukamchandji married four times: in VS 1943, 1956, 1963, and 1972. His wife, Kanchaben, is described as an embodiment of Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth). She was a suitable, religious, learned, and philanthropic woman who took a keen interest in service organizations like women's shelters, maternity homes, and child health protection, often personally overseeing their activities.

Personality: From childhood, Sheth Hukamchandji had a passion for reading religious scriptures and engaging in religious discussions. He found immense joy in meeting religious men and always treated them with respect. He was also a lover of modern literature, reading thousands of Hindi and Gujarati books throughout his life, and making it a daily practice to read a new book. He was simple and humble, engaging in conversation with ordinary people and considering himself a servant of the public. He was seen as an ideal in his community. From his residence, "Sheesh Mahal," he effortlessly managed all his affairs with his sharp intellect.

Business and Commerce: Sheth Hukamchandji was always immersed in thoughts of success, rarely experiencing despair or disappointment. The key reasons for his success were his optimistic mindset, thorough study and contemplation of global markets, unwavering courage, and constant effort. His adventurous spirit and business acumen were evident from childhood, leading him to be known as "Shethsahib," "Merchant King," and "Pioneer of Swadeshi Industries." He adapted his business strategies according to market changes and was not rigid in his dealings. He was deeply involved in the opium trade, which was then booming, especially in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. He earned 3 crore rupees from this business, leading to a metaphorical "rain of gold and silver" in his home. He was famously known as the "Merchant Prince of Malwa" by "The Times of India." Despite this success, in VS 1982 (1925 CE), while on a business trip to Mumbai, he experienced a self-inspired desire to renounce gambling and abstained from it for five years.

Industrial Life: Sheth Hukamchandji made an immense and unparalleled contribution to India's industrial progress, significantly uplifting the nation's economy. He established numerous factories, including Hukamchand Mill No. 1 and 2, Rajkumar Mill, and Yutmil, along with other industrial units. He also opened a textile mill and a steel mill in Calcutta. He believed that Khadi was the lifeblood of the country, enabling villagers to utilize their spare time for livelihood. By producing Khadi, he aimed to retain wealth within the country. Consequently, he set up a Khadi weaving and coarse cloth mill in Indore, producing approximately 20 crore worth of fabric. His diverse industrial complexes provided employment for thousands, with an estimated 15,000 people supported by his factories and mills. He amassed wealth through his business intelligence, skill, and foresight in various industries and trades, sometimes losing it as well, yet his demeanor remained unaffected by joy or sorrow.

Humanitarian Philanthropic Life: The text emphasizes that true fame is achieved by those who use their body, mind, and wealth for philanthropic good deeds. Great men in the world have become great through service to humanity. Those who dedicate their lives to compassion, humility, simplicity, noble thoughts, and human service earn respect and reverence in society. He built grand structures like Sheesh Mahal, Indra Bhavan, and the Itwariya Temple. Furthermore, rest houses, colleges, boarding houses, Sou. Kanchibai Shravikashram, dispensaries, dining halls, and maternity homes stand as testaments to his philanthropy and charitable spirit. He spent lakhs of rupees for the welfare of religion and society.

Religious, Sadhana-oriented, Renunciate Life: He had a deep interest in Jainism from childhood. Like devout individuals, he performed daily Jinendra worship, self-study, and religious discussions. In his response to a felicitation received during the "Shantimangal Vidhan" Ashtanikapuja in Indore in July 1942 (VS 2000), he stated, "I have profound faith in Jainism. My life's progress has been through Jain scriptures, self-study, the company of ascetics and scholars, and religious discussions." For nearly 50 years of his life, he dedicated himself to refining his soul and achieving spiritual happiness through consistent scriptural discussions, self-study, adherence to virtuous conduct, spiritual inclination, and association with ascetics and scholars. Embracing such a spiritual life, while possessing immense wealth and worldly pleasures comparable to an emperor and Indra, was no easy feat.

His exceptional personality greatly impressed Param Pujya Acharya Shri Shantisagarji Maharaj when he visited Indore with his entourage. Sheth Hukamchandji was always present to resolve any difficulties or crises faced by the Acharya Shri and the principles of monasticism. Once, despite being ill, he prioritized visiting the Acharya Shri, showing more concern for the Acharya's health than his own, demonstrating his profound guru-bhakti (devotion to the guru).

He visited the Digambar Jain pilgrimage site of Songadh in Saurashtra three times. He held a strong admiration and affectionate regard for Poojya Shri Kanji Swami. He donated approximately one lakh rupees for the construction of a study hall and a Jain temple there.

During a crisis at the sacred Jain pilgrimage site of Sametshikharji, where the British intended to establish settlements, causing unrest within the Jain community, Sheth Hukamchandji, along with other prominent figures, made a direct trip to the site. He informed the British government that if the Jain community's opposition was disregarded, their protest would escalate. Taking this into account, the British halted their plans. Subsequently, the Jain community decided to purchase the mountain to prevent future issues. He contributed Rs. 5,000 and raised Rs. 25,000 in Indore to facilitate this.

Serving religion and society was his life's great mission, which he divided into four main areas:

1. Service to pilgrimage sites.
2. Resolving crises faced by monasticism or at pilgrimage sites.
3. Resolving internal disputes through reconciliation.
4. Establishing and supporting institutions.

The history of the Digambar Jain community's progress and development from 1900 to 1950 is closely intertwined with his life.

In VS 1959 (1902 CE), he purchased land between Indore and Chhawni and constructed a magnificent temple for Lord Parshwanath. For the construction of the grand Itwariya Jinmandir, he brought skilled artisans from Jaipur and Iran. Much of the work involved glass, with exceptionally beautiful and captivating paintings created using colored glass. These depicted various spiritual themes like Siddhakṣetra, Samavasarana, Triloka, Nandishwaradvipa, heavenly realms, the seven deadly sins, and eight karmas, which deeply moved viewers. This is why Indore is recognized as a 'Tirthnagari' (city of pilgrimage). He also assisted the population of Indore suffering from the plague and arranged for a dining hall for destitute Jain brethren with a monthly expense of one hundred rupees. In VS 1970 (1913 CE), he was elected as the chairman of an assembly in Palitana, where he announced a donation of four lakh rupees. In VS 1974 (1917 CE), he donated four lakh rupees to the Lady Hardinge Medical Hospital in Delhi. Sheth Hukamchandji never discriminated based on caste or creed when it came to imparting education. He purchased a building for a school by donating Rs. 25,000. Such known and unknown, varied philanthropic activities became a daily occurrence in his life.

Farewell of Sheth Hukamchandji: After rendering high-level services in the fields of society, religion, and industry for five decades, Sheth Hukamchandji bid farewell to all on February 26, 1959.