#SecretMumbai: The Prosperous Family That Preferred Wisdom Over Riches

Thursday August 22,2019 by Team Khaki

In the 17th century, the Kapol Baniya community migrated from Diu to Mumbai to trade with the East India Company. In their native land, this community had trade ties with the Portuguese. Sir Mangaldas Nathubhoy, a philanthropist and mill owner, was among the most prominent Kapol businessmen of 19th century Mumbai. Many iconic buildings, such as Bhangwadi at Kalbadevi and the Imperial Cinema, were once owned by his family. These properties bear the family's symbol-an elephant and its motto, "wisdom over riches".

Did you know? In 1915, in the gardens of Nathubhoy's sprawling Lamington Road estate (where the Imperial Cinema stands today), Mohammed Ali Jinnah welcomed Mahatma Gandhi on his return to India from South Africa. This was at a reception organized by the Gurjar Sabha.

Published in The Mint on 22nd August, 2019.