Gujarmal Modi, Industrialist
Industrialist

Gujarmal Modi

Born 24 November 1902 · Uttar Pradesh — Died 22 January 1976

Co-founding the Modi Group and establishing the industrial city of Modinagar in 1933.

Gujarmal Modi was an Indian industrialist and philanthropist who co-established the Modi Group of companies and the industrial city of Modinagar in 1933, along with his brother Kedar Nath Modi. A sugar mill in Modinagar marked the beginning of the Modi Group conglomerate, which later diversified into varied fields.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Gujarmal Modi’s soap factory in 1941 was among the first in India to produce toilet soap using vanaspati instead of tallow, a unique innovation at the time.

The Story

1
In 1933, Gujarmal Modi and his brother Kedar Nath founded the industrial city of Modinagar by establishing a sugar mill in Begumabad village near Delhi, marking the start of the Modi Group’s industrial ambitions.
2
🌿 In 1941, Modi revolutionized soap manufacturing by creating a toilet soap without tallow, instead using vanaspati from his own vanaspati factory, which transformed the detergent industry in India.
3Despite early setbacks, Modi’s decision to change his name from Ram Prasad to Gujarmal honored his stepmother Gujri Devi, reflecting a deep personal bond that influenced his life and business ethos.
4📚 Modi’s philanthropy included founding schools and colleges in Mahendragarh, Patiala, and Modinagar, and providing grants to major institutions like Banaras Hindu University, shaping education beyond his industrial ventures.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1932, with just Rs. 400/- in hand, Modi traveled to Delhi to scout for business ventures, which led to founding the sugar mill that launched the Modi Group.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth of Gujarmal Modi in Mahendragarh
Born as Ram Prasad Modi in a Marwari family; lost his mother six days after birth and was raised by his stepmother Gujri Devi.
1902
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Career
Modi moves to Delhi with Rs. 400
Sought new business ventures leading to selection of Begumabad village for his sugar mill project.
1932
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Career
Founding of Modinagar industrial city
Established the sugar mill in Begumabad, marking the foundation of Modi Group and Modinagar township.
1933
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Career
Launch of innovative toilet soap factory
Produced soap using vanaspati instead of tallow, a significant industrial innovation in India.
1941
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Career
Established Works Committees for labor
Introduced direct worker-management committees in factories, pioneering employee welfare in Indian industry.
1947
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Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
Recognized by the Government of India for contributions to industry and philanthropy.
1968
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Death
Death of Gujarmal Modi
Passed away intestate, leading to a complex family dispute over his industrial empire.
1976
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Modi’s stepmother, Gujri Devi, raised him after his biological mother died six days post-birth, leading him to adopt the name Gujarmal in her honor.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 1947, Modi set up Works Committees in his factories to enable direct dialogue between workers and management, a progressive move decades before such policies became common in India.

03 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

After Gujarmal Modi’s death in 1976 without a will, his business empire underwent a protracted family dispute, requiring financial institutions to intervene and divide assets in a 60:40 ratio.

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🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Modi Enterprises 🇮🇳 & Modicare 🌴🇮🇳 Companies History by Indian Business Magnet Mr.Samir Modi ji
·YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Gujarmal Modi pioneered industrial township development with Modinagar, inspiring similar models of integrated industrial and worker communities across India. His early emphasis on labor welfare and workers’ participation influenced industrial relations policies in Indian manufacturing. Additionally, his philanthropic investments expanded educational access in northern India, linking industrial growth with social development.

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