Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd. facts for kids
The Scindia Steam Navigation Company was a very important shipping company in India. It was started in 1919. This made it the second oldest shipping company in the country. The very first one was the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company, founded in 1906. That company was started by VOC Pillai in Tamil Nadu.
Contents
History of Scindia Shipping
How the Company Started
The Scindia Steam Navigation Company began its journey with a special ship. On December 19, 1914, a ship called the RMS Empress of India was sold. It was bought by the Maharajah of Gwalior, a powerful ruler. This ship was then changed into a hospital ship to help Indian soldiers.
On January 19, 1915, the ship got a new name: Loyalty. In March 1919, the Loyalty was sold again. This time, it was bought by the brand new Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd. A very important event happened on April 5, 1919. The Loyalty sailed all the way to the United Kingdom. This trip was a huge step for India's shipping industry. At that time, British companies controlled most sea routes.
Growing the Shipping Business
The Scindia company grew bigger over the years. In 1932, it bought another company called Bengal Burma S.N. Co. It also purchased the Indian Co-operative Navigation & Trading Co. and the Ratnagar S.N. Co. Later, in 1952, it bought the Bombay Steam Navigation Company.
The company also started building its own ships. In 1940, it bought shipyards in India. These shipyards were named Scindia Shipyard Limited. The first ship built there was called the Jalusha. It weighed 8000 tons. India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, launched this ship in 1948. This happened soon after India became independent.
Scindia's Main Office
The main office of the Scindia Steam Navigation Company is in Mumbai. It is located at Scindia Colony, Building III, Sir M.V. Road, Andheri (E), Mumbai-400069.
The Scindia Company Flag
The flag of the Scindia company is blue. It has a white circle in the middle. Inside the white circle, there is a red swastika. The swastika is an ancient Hindu symbol. It represents good luck and prosperity.
Scindia's Important Legacy
The journey of the ship Loyalty was very significant. Because of this, National Maritime Day is celebrated in India every year. This special day is on April 5. It marks the anniversary of the Loyalty's first journey to the United Kingdom. This day reminds everyone of India's rich maritime history.
Places Connected to Scindia
- Scindia, Visakhapatnam
