Dictionary of Indian Biography/Banaji, Framji Cowasji
BANAJI, FRAMJI COWASJI (1767–1851)
Born in Bombay April 3, 1767: son of Cowasji Byramji (1744–1834) merchant, and of a family which settled in Bombay from near Surat,1690, and traded with England, China and Burma. He was a scientific agriculturist, and improved agriculture in W. India: took a leading part in establishing the Agri-Horticultural Society of Bombay, 1830: was a Vice-President: the Bombay Government gave him, 1829, some villages in Salsette, where he settled cultivators, and successfully managed the Pawai estate: instituted many charities for the native community: some for the Parsis: made wells and tombs: a large Tower of Silence, 1832: a Fire Temple, 1845: a school for Parsi children, for instruction in the Avesta: was a leading member of the Parsi panchayat, 1817–51, and an original Trustee of their communal funds from 1823: was a prominent member of the Native Education Society from 1827, of the Elphinstone College committee from 1835: Director of the Board of Education from 1841: was nominated, 1834, one of the first 12 native J.P.s: a Government Director of the Savings' Bank: helped to establish the old Bombay Bank, 1840: Director of the G.I. P. Railway, 1844: suffered pecuniary losses in his business, which curtailed his means, but not his zeal, for philanthropic charity: died Feb. 12, 1851: after a public meeting of all classes, the Framji Institute was erected in his memory, where public meetings are generally held, and an extensive Library is located.