Rajan Lalji
- 1887
- 1956/03/16
- Box 356. Nairobi
- Source:The Official Gazette of the Colony & Protectorate of Kenya (Special Issue) Vol XL No 60 (November 13th 1938) Indian & Arab Voters Roll
- Merchant
- Parents
- Siblings
- Partners
- Children
Rajan Lalji born in Jamnagar, British Indiain 1887 and followed his brother to Zanzibar in 1900 in search of better prospect. He went first to live in Kisumu in 1903, and Nairobi in 1905.
His family concern in Nairobi was known as Jiwan Lalji & Co., dealing mostly with hardware and beads, which was named after his brother, Jiwan Lalji, who managed the family concern in Zanzibar and first came to Nairobi in 1885. The third partner of the Jiwan Lalji & Co. was another brother, Merali Lalji, who looked after their Mombasa branch, and is reported to have come in Africa in 1890. In 1910, this family concern also started their fourth branch in Mwanza.
Rajan Lalji returned to India, where he married and returned to Zanzibar in 1905 and then to Nairobi.
He was also a generous and contributed huge amount to the primary school. His charities and donations were mostly secret and inestimable.
In sum, the Lalji family had made significant unconditional gifts in the name of Jiwan Lalji & Co., the family made contribution to the Nairobi Jamatkhana Building and the Nairobi Primary School was built with a donation from Rajan Lalji, who also gave substantial contribution in the hospital fund.
He died on Friday, March 16, 1956 in a car accident.
