Section 34
Ardeshir Godrej
A lawyer turned lock-maker who founded Godrej in 1897 and made vegetable-oil soap in 1918. (Godrej & Boyce (Godrej group))
- life
- 1868–1936
- era
- Before Independence
- ₹3,000
- Loan for his first (failed) venture · 1895
The story
Ardeshir Godrej was born in Bombay on 26 March 1868 and trained as a lawyer. In 1894 he refused to argue a point he could not prove in good conscience, and gave up law.
In 1895 he borrowed Rs 3,000 from Merwanji Muncherji Cama to make surgical instruments. The venture ended when the seller refused to stamp 'Made in India' on them.
On 7 May 1897 he began making locks in a shed at Lalbaug, Bombay, with his brother Pirojsha. Safes followed in 1902, and in 1908 the brothers received a British patent for a springless lock.
In 1918 he launched Chavi, a soap made from vegetable oil instead of animal fat. He died on 10 January 1936, and Pirojsha carried the company forward.
Timeline
- 1895Borrows Rs 3,000 to make surgical instruments; the venture fails.
- 1897Starts making locks at Lalbaug, Bombay, on 7 May.
- 1902Godrej safes enter the market.
- 1908Receives a British patent for a springless lock with Pirojsha.
- 1918Launches Chavi vegetable-oil soap.