A book review by Gautam Thakur, Chairman, Saraswat Bank
‘Yantrikachya Sawalya’ is a three-dimensional family portrait interwoven with elements of history, politics, family ties, and the role of entrepreneurship in the freedom movement. Rarely does one come across a family biography drawn on such a broad canvas—one that compels you to turn the pages with urgency and lingers in your memory long after you have finished reading.
The book provides insightful commentary on the social and industrial history of Maharashtra while chronicling the extraordinary careers and ideologies of four visionary individuals from the Jambhekar family. This journey, which began in the late 19th century, unfolds against the backdrop of India’s evolving social and industrial landscape. The preface and the author’s reflections offer a glimpse into the book’s momentous content.
While the name ‘Kirloskar’ is widely recognized due to the Kirloskar Group of Industries, the name Jambhekar remains relatively unknown to the public. However, it is important to note that alongside Laxmanrao Kirloskar—the founder of the group—his elder sister’s son, Shambhorao Jambhekar, played a crucial role in the success of Kirloskar Industries and, ultimately, in shaping the Kirloskar brand. Although Shambhorao is the book’s central figure, the contributions of his wife Gangabai, his son Ramakrishna, and his daughter-in-law Suhasini Chattopadhyay (freedom fighter and senior Congress leader Sarojini Naidu’s sister) are also highlighted. These four unsung heroes deserve due recognition, as the industrial history of Maharashtra would be incomplete without acknowledging their remarkable contributions.
Shambhorao, an engineering graduate from VJTI, Mumbai, played a pivotal role in the early growth of the Kirloskar Group when Laxmanrao established a factory near Kundal village in the Sangli district. Forced to leave Mumbai and Belgaum due to the plague pandemic, Laxmanrao and his associates set up this factory under extremely challenging conditions. The details of their struggle evoke admiration for the resilience and determination of that era.
Despite facing numerous challenges, Shambhorao persevered, always mindful of his social responsibilities while working toward his goals. The book presents fascinating anecdotes about his first flight, foreign travels, military training, the progress of the Mysore factory under his leadership, and the machinery produced during wartime.
Gangabai’s life, personality, and social contributions are equally noteworthy. A skilled midwife, she assisted countless women in childbirth. Recognizing the importance of formal training, she pursued nursing education at Cama Hospital, Mumbai, and successfully managed the Radhabai Maternity Home for many years. Her remarkable achievement—delivering nearly 3,500 babies without a single maternal or infant death in an era without modern medical facilities—is nothing short of extraordinary.
Ramakrishna Jambhekar, inspired by the freedom movement and communist ideology, left Fergusson College before completing his education. He joined Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram and later, in 1929, became an official member of the Communist Party of India. He was imprisoned for eight years under British rule.
One of the book’s most intriguing anecdotes describes negotiations during a workers’ strike at Kirloskar Industries—with Ramakrishna Jambhekar representing the labourers and Shambhorao Jambhekar representing the employers. In his later writings, Shambhorao noted that the negotiations proved beneficial for both sides. This episode not only sheds light on the industrial dynamics of that period but also underscores the ethical values and integrity of these two individuals. Such a scenario would be almost cinematic in today’s world!
Suhasini Jambhekar, the first woman to join the Communist Party of India, remained actively involved in the labour movement alongside Ramakrishna. They attended May Day celebrations in Russia and lived in Hungary for a period. Several incidents described in the book are both surprising and thought-provoking, including:
• The sale of young girls in Bengal
• The existence of the Friends of the Soviet Union organization in India
• Ramakrishna Jambhekar’s meetings with Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai in Beijing as an AITUC representative
• The Antar Pat wedding card, designed and edited by Ramakrishna for Shantanurao Kirloskar’s wedding
• Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s visit to Kirloskarwadi
These episodes add a captivating dimension to the narrative.
Since little to no information or photographs of these four protagonists are available on the internet, author Pragya Jambhekar—who belongs to the fourth generation of Shambhorao’s elder brother’s lineage—painstakingly researched and compiled this book. Her dedication is evident in the depth of information presented. The book features rare photographs, Ramakrishna Jambhekar’s eloquent and emotional letters, and even an entrepreneurship article written by Shambhorao in the 1953 Diwali edition of Dainik Sakal—a piece that remains relevant even today.
With its engaging writing style, striking cover page, thoughtful layout, and well-curated content, Yantrikachya Sawalya is a must-read for anyone interested in history, industry, and the intertwining of family and social responsibility.
