G. D. Birla
Industrialist, founder of the Birla business empire and associate of Gandhi
- Lived
- 89 yrs
- 1894 – 1983
- Works listed
- 0
- Career highlights
- Honours
- 1
- Most recent 1957
- Profile views
- 1
- 0 followers
G. D. Birla was an industrialist who built one of India’s largest business groups, with interests in textiles, cars, aluminium, cement and banking. A close supporter of Mahatma Gandhi, he founded educational institutions including BITS Pilani. He died in 1983.
Biography
From trader to industrialist
Born into a Marwari trading family in Pilani, Birla moved to Calcutta as a young man and traded in jute. During the First World War he set up his own jute mill, challenging British dominance of the industry, and went on to found textile, paper and sugar businesses.
Education and legacy
In Pilani he funded schools and colleges that grew into the Birla Institute of Technology and Science. He received the Padma Vibhushan in 1957 and died in London on 11 June 1983. His great-grandson Kumar Mangalam Birla now leads the Aditya Birla Group.
Gandhi’s supporter
Birla was one of Mahatma Gandhi’s main financial backers and a trusted confidant, and Gandhi often stayed at Birla House in Delhi, where he was assassinated in 1948. Birla also helped found the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in 1927.
Building industry
He founded Hindustan Motors (1942), maker of the Ambassador car, United Commercial Bank (now UCO Bank, 1943) and the aluminium company Hindalco, among many others. His group became one of the two largest in India alongside the Tatas.
Timeline
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1894
Born in Pilani, Rajputana (now Rajasthan)
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1919
Founds his first jute mill
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1927
Helps found FICCI
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1942
Founds Hindustan Motors
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1943
Founds United Commercial Bank
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1948
Gandhi assassinated at Birla House
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1957
Padma Vibhushan
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1983
Dies in London
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1983
Died, aged 89
Awards and honours
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Padma Vibhushan
1957
Did you know?
-
1
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in the garden of Birla House.
-
2
His company made the Ambassador car.
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3
Birla House in Delhi is now a Gandhi memorial.
Connections
Related people
Also born on 10 April
Frequently asked
Who is G. D. Birla?
G. D. Birla was an industrialist who built one of India’s largest business groups, with interests in textiles, cars, aluminium, cement and banking. A close supporter of Mahatma Gandhi, he founded educational institutions including BITS Pilani. He died in 1983.
When did G. D. Birla die?
G. D. Birla died on 11 June 1983 at the age of 89.
Where is G. D. Birla from?
G. D. Birla was born in Pilani, Rajputana (now Rajasthan).
What is G. D. Birla known for?
G. D. Birla is best known for Founding Hindustan Motors, UCO Bank and Hindalco; BITS Pilani; supporting Mahatma Gandhi.
What awards has G. D. Birla received?
Notable honours include Padma Vibhushan (1957).
References
- Ghanshyam Das Birla — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Ghanshyam Das Birla — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Ghanshyam Das Birla (Q3630453) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Ghanshyam Das Birla”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
Featured in
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 27 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“G. D. Birla.” TrackFame, last updated 28 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/g-d-birla
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