Alamohan Das
Alamohan Das | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1895 Khila-Baruipur, Howrah district, West Bengal, India |
| Died | 1969 |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, industrialist, politician |
| Years active | Early 20th century–1969 |
| Known for | Founder of India Machinery Company and other industrial ventures |
| Notable work | India Machinery Co., Bharat Jute Mills, Dass Bank Ltd., Howrah Chemical Works, Bengal Weighing Scales Co., Paul Engineering Works, Howrah Insurance Co. Ltd., Asia Drug Co. Ltd., Dass Sugar Corporation, The Great India Steam Navigation Co. Ltd., Arati Cotton Mills |
Alamohan Das was a prominent entrepreneur active in Bengal before and after India's independence, with ventures spanning jute, cotton, heavy machinery, pharmaceuticals, and banking sectors. He is recognized for establishing the India Machinery Company, among the earliest indigenous machine manufacturing enterprises in India.
Early life
Originating from a middle-class Mahishya household in Khila-Baruipur, located in the Howrah district of West Bengal, Alamohan had minimal formal schooling. At the age of 15, he began his commercial journey by vending parched rice, later shifting focus to industrial products. Inspired by nationalist writings and the ideals of the Swadeshi movement, he dedicated himself to self-directed learning to fulfill his entrepreneurial goals.
India Machinery Co.
In 1930, Alamohan launched the India Machinery Co., which produced high-quality machinery such as lathes, weighing devices, textile manufacturing equipment, and printing presses. His industrial pursuits broadened with the founding of Bharat Jute Mill in 1937, marking his entry into the textile industry.
Political career
During the inaugural election of independent India in 1951, Alamohan secured a seat as an independent candidate representing the Amta North assembly constituency in the West Bengal legislative assembly.
Works
- Howrah Chemical Works
- Bengal Weighing Scales Co. (1921)
- Paul Engineering Works (1934)
- Bharat Jute Mills (1937), officially opened by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray
- Dasnagar (1937), an industrial township named after Das
- India Machinery Co. (1940)
- Dass Bank Ltd. (1940)
- Howrah Insurance Co. Ltd. (1941)
- Asia Drug Co. Ltd. (1942)
- Dass Sugar Corporation (1942)
- The Great India Steam Navigation Co. Ltd. (1945)
- Arati Cotton Mills (1948)