SIR MOT! SAGAR JAIN

SIR MOT! SAGAR JAIN
(1873—1930)

Sir Moti Sagar Jain, born at Delhi, belonged to the illustrious family of the Diwans of erstwhile Gwalior State. His ancestors hailed from Chaksu, a village in the old Jaipur State. From the days of Seth Jodh Raj, a highly esteemed Diwan of Maharaja Daulat Rao Scindia of Gwalior, this family became worthy of note. He was succeeded by his son Seth Ram Narianji who earned the title of Raja and a big Jagir. He eventually started a Banking firm 'Jodhraj Ram Narian' at Gwalior which after his death was succeeded by his sons Seth Manak Chand and Bidhi Chand. The former established a Banking concern at Agra. Shri Bidhi Chand was shot dead in the mutiny of 1857 while he was Inspector of Schools at Delhi. The British Government had awarded life long pension to his widow.

Rai Bahadur Sagar Chand, only son of Seth Manak Chand, was a scholar of English and served as Lecturer in Government College, Lahore and later as Inspector of Schools and Colleges in the then Punjab. After retirement, he founded Sunder Nanhi Girls School at Delhi in 1906 in memory of his two daughters Sunder Devi and Nanhi Devi. He expired in 1912.

Sir Moti Sagar, son of R.B. Sagar Chand,was educated at Delhi and Lahore. He joined the Delhi Bar around 1899 and rose to prominence in the legal profession in a short period. In 1914, he shifted to Lahore where he became a leading lawyer of his time and was appointed a Justice of the Punjab High Court. After a short period he returned back to his legal profession for bright prospects. He was made Rai Bahadur in 1923. He was Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University (1925-30) which had honoured him with the honorary degree of LL.D. in 1928. The title of 'Sir Knight-hood' was conferred upon him in June, 1930 before his premature death at Lahore in the same year.

He was Director of many flourishing concerns. He always helped the poor and deserving students and developed the Sunder Nanhi Girls School.

His only son Seth Prem Sagar Jain, born at Delhi on 11th February, 1898, took keen interest in running the above said school, in public welfare, educational and social activities. He managed the ancestral estate and established Sir Moti Sagar & Son Bankers, Contractors and Land Lords at Lahore and Delhi. He was Organising Director of the Great Eastern Corporation Ltd., Delhi which besides other films produced 'Light of Asia' on the life of Buddha. It received much appreciation not only in India but also in England and the Continent. He was a member of the Royal Asiatic Society, London. He expired prematurely on 10th January, 1939 at Lahore.