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Sir Ratanji Tata (1871 – 1918) was an Indian philanthropist and an art connoisseur who carried forward the Tata legacy after Jamsetji Tata. He was a legend who took great initiative in human welfare and donated graciously for national and international causes. He was a patriot and a nationalist, just like his father, who contributed to the nation’s growth.
Wiki/Biography
Sir Ratanji Tata was born during the British raj on Friday, 20th January 1871 in Bombay. He was the second son of his parents and was 12 years younger than his sibling. His early life was spent surrounded by luxuries in Bombay. He graduated from the St Xavier’s College, Bombay . In 1896, he started working for Tata & Sons as a partner.
A Great Philanthropist
Ratanji Tata was surrounded by luxury all his life but still had compassion and generosity for those in need. Poverty, lack of education and hunger were the things that troubled him. He annually contributed £1,400 to the University of London for welfare, and the Sir Ratan Tata Foundation is still a part of the London School of Economics (LSE).
He donated £1,400 to the University of London for research for solving poverty in India
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In 1912, he offered financial help to set up the department of social science at LSE. This department was called Ratan Tata Department of Social Science till 1919. India’s past and archaeology appealed to him, and for that matter, he financially supported the archaeological excavation at Pataliputra from 1913 to 1917. This excavation unveiled the Mauryan throne room of King Ashoka’s Palace. Not just that, he was a lover and follower of art and donated most of his art collection to the Prince of Wales Museum in Bombay. He was a soft-hearted businessman who never ignored contributing to a cause. He graciously donated for relief works carried out after natural disasters and for education and medical care. He annually donated a sum of Rs. 10,000 for ten years to King George V Anti-Tuberculosis League and a sum of Rs. 1 Lakh to the Salvation Army for a memorial.
Taking the Tata legacy Forward
Jamsetji Tata died in 1904, which was a turning point in Ratanji Tata’s life. Back then, Tata Sons was the agent of L’ Union Fire Insurance Co of Paris in India and Ratanji took it over after his father’s death. He also took charge of Tata’s trading firm, Tata & Co. which traded in cotton, rice, yarn, pearls and silk. This trading firm had branches in several countries including Shanghai, Kobe, Rangoon, Paris and New York.
Ratan Ji Tata with his wife and family
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In 1901, Ratanji Tata, with his father and elder brother Sir Dorabji Tata started working on India’s biggest ironworks project. After Jamsetji’s death, Ratanji assisted his brother with this project, and it finally came into existence on 26th August 1907. It was named Tata Iron and Steel Company Limited, which was later renamed Tata Steel Limited. Tata Steel has expanded to 26 countries across five continents and employs thousands of people.
Family & Caste
Sir Ratan ji Tata was born in a Parsi family.
Parents & Siblings
He was born to Jamsetji Tata and Hirabai Daboo. His father Jamsetji Tata, was a revolutionary businessman also known as the father of Indian Industry. On the other hand, his mother was a homemaker. He was his parents’ second child, and Sir Dorabji Tata was his elder brother.
Wife & Children
In 1892, Ratan Ji Tata got married to Navajbai sett, the daughter of Ardeshir Merwanji Sett. The couple spent a reasonable amount of time living in England. Later they adopted Naval Tata and had no other child besides him. The couple loved art and collected many fine pieces for the new house they were constructing in Bombay.
Ratan Tata with wife Navajbai Tata
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Unfortunately, Ratanji Died at the age of 41 and his wife Navajbai Sett was left alone to look after his estate. She lived as his widow all her life and was renowned as the chairperson of Sir Ratan Tata Trust. She is still recognized for her notable philanthropical works for women and society.
Awards, Honours, Achievements
- In 1916, Sir Ratanji Tata was knighted in England for his services to humanity.
Favourites
- Art: Ratanji Tata was a lover of art who gathered a collection of paintings, silverware, carpets, armaments, manuscripts and more.
Death
Sir Ratan Ji Tata went to England for his medical treatment a few months after constructing his house in 1915. Two years later, on 5th September 1918, he died at St Ives in Cornwall, England.
Facts/Trivia
- Sir Ratan Tata Trust, established in 1919, is one of the oldest and most trusted grant offering organizations.
- Sir Ratan Tata’s wife Navajbai established an institute in 1926 in the memories of Sir Ratanji Tata.