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Bajaj Group

Indian conglomerate

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The group was founded informally by Bachhraj Bajaj, with a cotton ginning factory in Wardha, Maharashtra, in 1905. Following his death in 1906, his adopted grandson—Jamnalal Bajaj, ran the business for two decades and then established it formally as an industrial and trading business in Mumbai in 1926, named Bachhraj Factories.

Leading figures

Kamalnayan Bajaj (1915 – 1972)

Kamalnayan Bajaj, the elder son of Jamnalal Bajaj, returned to India after completing his education at the University of Cambridge, England, to assist his father in both business and social service. He played a key role in expanding the Bajaj Group by diversifying its operations into the manufacture of scooters, three-wheelers, cement, alloy castings, and electrical equipment. In 1954, He took over the active management of the Bajaj Group companies and led them towards significant growth and success.

Ramkrishna Bajaj (1924 – 1994)

In 1972, Ramkrishna Bajaj, the younger son of Jamnalal Bajaj, assumed leadership of the Bajaj Group after the death of his elder brother, Kamalnayan Bajaj. Alongside his business responsibilities, he dedicated much of his time and energy to social service and welfare initiatives. Ramkrishna Bajaj strongly believed in youth development and nation-building.

In 1961, he was elected Chairman of the World Assembly for Youth (India). He also served as the Managing Trustee of the Indian Youth Centres Trust, which established the Vishwa Yuvak Kendra in 1968 — a prominent youth development organization focused on leadership, education, and community service.

Rahul Bajaj (1938 – 2022)

Rahul Bajaj, the chairman emeritus and former managing director (until 2005) of the Group, was the grandson of Jamnalal Bajaj. He completed his schooling at the Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai; and then attended the St Stephen's College, Delhi; Government Law College, Mumbai; and Harvard University. He took over control of the Group in 1965 and led it to be one of India's largest conglomerates. In 2001, he was awarded Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award.

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