Seth Chhaju Ram

He was born in a Hindu Jat family in 1861 at Alakhpura in Bawani Khera tehsil, Bhiwani district of then Punjab (current Haryana state). His father was Chaudhary Salig Ram Lamba and had migrated from the village of Gothra in Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan.

He was married twice. His first wife was from the village Dohaka who died from cholera. He had no son from his first wife. Then he married Lakshmi Devi Rangi of the village Bilawal in Bhiwani district and had children with her.

When in his early 20s, Lamba met Arya Samajist engineer Raisaheb Shivnath Rai, who very much impressed him. Rai took Lamba to Kolkata and for some time Lamba coached Rai’s children and also those of a businessman from Rajgarh. During this work he picked up knowledge of their operations and in particular of the dalali (brokerage business or commission agency). He began to trade in old bags and later shifted to the new bags trade.

He adopted two siblings named Neera Arya and her brother Basant. He started many hostels, libraries, Dharamshalas and schools, such as Jat School, Hisar (founded 1924).[1] He financed higher studies of Sir 'Chhotu' Ram Richpal. He was known as Danveer Bhamashah of the Jat race. The British government awarded him the life peerage title of ‘Sir.’He was great follower of Arya Samaj.

He, was one of the people who actually acted under the British eyes but had a fire for freedom in his breath. He set up secret associations to collectively oppose the rule : without ruining his reputation between the Englishmen.[1]

He died on 7 April 1943.

Several prominent jat institutes are named after him, including the following:[2]