Hardial Singh
Encyclopedia
Hardial Singh Bajaj.
Son of Mehar Singh (father) and Thakur Devi (mother), 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 (at age 15) to Kirpal Kaur, daughter of Tara Singh (Lalaji). 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
(shirts) trademark.
He joined the Indian Independence League
in 1945, during World War II. He served as Special Supply Officer for Subhash Chandra Bose
. He handed over custody of the sacks of gold entrusted to him during the War, to the Indian Overseas Bank
in Singapore. Jawaharlal Nehru
took possession of the gold on behalf of the Indian government.
Source: Narinjan Singh Bajaj, son of Hardial Singh
A Singapore pioneer. President of the Indian Chamber in Singapore from 1949 to 1953. Source: The Straits Times
Son of Mehar Singh (father) and Thakur Devi (mother), 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 (at age 15) to Kirpal Kaur, daughter of Tara Singh (Lalaji). He then migrated to Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Malaya
British Malaya
British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the Island of Singapore that were brought under British control between the 18th and the 20th centuries...
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
The Statesman
The Statesman is an Indian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper founded in 1875 and published simultaneously in Kolkata, New Delhi, Siliguri and Bhubaneswar. The Statesman is owned by The Statesman Ltd., its headquarters at Statesman House, Chowringhee Square, Calcutta and its national...
when he landed in Calcutta, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. He was a property investor and a spices and films trader.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in Singapore, the Imperial Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
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
Arrow
An arrow is a shafted projectile that is shot with a bow. It predates recorded history and is common to most cultures.An arrow usually consists of a shaft with an arrowhead attached to the front end, with fletchings and a nock at the other.- History:...
(shirts) trademark.
He joined the Indian Independence League
Indian Independence League
The Indian Independence League was a political organisation operated from the 1920s to the 1940s to organize those living outside of India into seeking the removal of British colonial rule over India...
in 1945, during World War II. He served as Special Supply Officer for Subhash Chandra Bose
Subhash Chandra Bose
Subhas Chandra Bose known by name Netaji was an Indian revolutionary who led an Indian national political and military force against Britain and the Western powers during World War II. Bose was one of the most prominent leaders in the Indian independence movement and is a legendary figure in...
. He handed over custody of the sacks of gold entrusted to him during the War, to the Indian Overseas Bank
Indian Overseas Bank
Indian Overseas Bank is a major bank based in Chennai , with 2018 domestic branches and six branches overseas. Indian Overseas Bank has an ISO certified inhouse Information Technology department, which has developed the software that 2018 branches use to provide online banking to customers; the...
in Singapore. Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru , often referred to with the epithet of Panditji, was an Indian statesman who became the first Prime Minister of independent India and became noted for his “neutralist” policies in foreign affairs. He was also one of the principal leaders of India’s independence movement in the...
took possession of the gold on behalf of the Indian government.
Source: Narinjan Singh Bajaj, son of Hardial Singh
A Singapore pioneer. President of the Indian Chamber in Singapore from 1949 to 1953. Source: The Straits Times
The Straits Times
The Straits Times is an English language daily broadsheet newspaper based in Singapore currently owned by Singapore Press Holdings . It is the country's highest-selling paper, with a current daily circulation of nearly 400,000...