Hardial Singh facts for kids

Hardial Singh Bajaj (born April 5, 1905, in Khanqah Dogran, British India; died September 18, 1967, in Singapore) was an important businessman and community leader in Southeast Asia. He was of Indian origin. Hardial Singh was the oldest of six children born to Mehar Singh and Thakur Devi. He first married Kirpal Kaur, and they had seven children. Later, he married Milap Kaur in 1933, and they had nine more children. Hardial Singh made Singapore his home and built a very successful business, sometimes called the Bajaj Dynasty.

Career and Business Success

Hardial Singh moved to Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, and became a well-known textile merchant. He worked with companies like Gian Singh & Co., Hardial Singh & Co., and Hardial Singh & Sons. People even called him the "King of Textiles" when he visited Calcutta, India. Besides textiles, he also invested in real estate, traded spices, and was involved in the film industry.

Challenges During World War II

During World War II in Singapore, Hardial Singh faced a very difficult time. The Imperial Japanese Army held him because they thought he might be a spy. He was released with help from Sardar Singh Chatwal.

Supporting Indian Independence

In 1945, during World War II, Hardial Singh joined the Indian Independence League. This group worked to help India gain freedom from British rule. He served as a Special Supply Officer for Subhas Chandra Bose, a key leader in the Indian independence movement. Hardial Singh was trusted with valuable gold during the war. After the war, he handed this gold over to the Indian Overseas Bank in Singapore. Later, Jawaharlal Nehru, who became India's first Prime Minister, took possession of the gold for the Indian government.

Community Leadership

Hardial Singh was also a pioneer in Singapore. He served as the President of the Indian Chamber in Singapore from 1949 to 1953. This shows his important role in the Indian business community and his dedication to helping others.