Brands Started in Bombay State Before Maharashtra and Gujarat Became Independent States

Before the borders were marked and a single state got separated, Bombay (now Mumbai) or as it was known, the Bombay state, gave India some of the most celebrated companies that still exist. Although May 1, 1960, declared Maharashtra and Gujarat as separate states, these companies continued to flourish in their field and to date give the country the resources it requires with utmost dedication. Here’s a list of these organisations that started before 1960, in the former Bombay state.

Wadia Group

Wadia Group was founded in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1736 by a visionary leader, Lovji Nusserwanjee Wadia. He started this venture as a Marine Construction company that built ships for the East India Company. Over the years, the parent company has expanded into various businesses, Bombay Dyeing being one of the most significant. It was envisioned by Nowrojee Nusserwanjee Wadia to join the textile revolution in Bombay back in the 19th Century. The Wadia Group also gave Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation, one of the oldest publicly traded Indian companies, Britannia and others. 

Mahindra & Mahindra

Mahindra & Mohammed. No, this is not a spin-off of the famous Mahindra and Mahindra, but the initial name of the same company. Started by two brothers, JC Mahindra, KC Mahindra, along with Malik Ghulam Muhammad in 1945, the automobile manufacturer has become one of the prestigious companies in India. Although it was started in Ludhiana, it shifted its base to Bombay state after partition. 

Godgrej 

Godrej, founded in 1897 by Ardeshir Godrej and Pirojsha Burjorji Godrej in Bombay, began as a company focused on manufacturing indigenous locks, a first for India during British rule. It started its operations as a cause to support India’s Swadeshi Movement at that time, and over the decades, it has housed various industries to become an Indian conglomerate. With Godrej Consumer Products, Godrej Properties, Godrej Capital, Fund Management, and other companies, the firm can rightly be said to be Bombay’s own. 

Larsen & Toubro (L&T)

Started in the British era in 1938 by two Danish engineers—Henning Holck-Larsen and Soren Kristian Toubro, Larsen & Toubro went on to become one of the leading Indian multinational conglomerates, with interests in industrial technology, heavy industry, engineering, construction, manufacturing, power, information technology, defence and financial services. 

Raymond Group

Raymond is another well-known company that was started in Bombay (now Mumbai). Established by Albert Raymond and Abraham Jacob Raymond in 1925 as Raymond Woollen Mill near Thane Creek (then part of the Bombay state), it was taken over by Lala Kailashpat Singhania in 1944. Ever since then, the company has been known for its textile business but has forayed into apparel, denim, consumer care, engineering and real estate as well.

Century Textiles and Industries Ltd.

Century Textiles and Industries Ltd., which is now known as Aditya Birla Real Estate Limited, was started by Nowrosjee N. Wadia in 1897. He initially set up a single manufacturing unit to process cotton, but later transferred the business to the Mehta family in 1930. In the 1940s, R.D. Birla began investing in the company and eventually gained control in 1951. Today, it's part of the Aditya Birla Group and deals in textiles, paper and real estate. 

Hinduja Group 

Parmanand Hinduja, the founder of the Hinduja Group, began his business in 1914 with commodity trading. Initially operating in Shikarpur (in modern-day Pakistan) and Bombay, Parmanand and his successors then expanded their business in India, operating in various sectors like banking, media, healthcare, and more. 

ACC Limited (Associated Cement Companies)

ACC was formed in 1936 when ten existing cement companies came together under one umbrella in a historic merger—the country's first notable merger at a time when the term mergers and acquisitions is believed to have not even been coined. This merger was the effort of the pioneer of Associated Cement Companies, F E Dinshaw and other companies such as Tatas, Khataus, and Killick Nixon. Now, ACC is owned by the Adani Group. 

Indian Hotels Company Limited 

What we know as the famous Taj Hotels today was formerly established as the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) by Jamsetji Tata in 1809. Taj Mahal Palace, which is in Colaba, Mumbai, was India's inaugural luxury hotel. Not losing its charm even today, the hotel has nine legendary bars and restaurants with luxury rooms. 

Navneet Education 

Navneet Education is another business that has made its space in almost every Indians childhood. Started in 1959, just one year before the separation of Maharashtra and Gujarat, it was earlier known as Bookwing Publication (India) Ltd. What started as a ‘College Book Depot’ near present day Dhobi Talo in Mumbai has now become a onglomerate, owned by the Gala family. Along with educational content, Navneet also manufactures stationery, general books and children’s books in multiple Indian and foreign languages. Vikas, Gala, Grafalco, YOUVA, TOPClass and TOPScorer are other brands owned by Navneet.