Rameshwar Das Birla

Rameshwar Das Birla (also Rameshwardas Birla) (1892–1973) was an Indian entrepreneur. He was second son of Baldeo Das Birla and the father of Madhav Prasad Birla and Gajanan Birla.[1] He is known for founding hospitals & educational institutions in Mumbai, Kolkata and Pilani.

Birla's decision in 1922 to remarry following the death of his first wife caused a split in the Maheshwari caste of which his family were a member. They were outcast by the community, who doubted that his new wife was herself a Maheshwari and thus believed that Birla had broken the caste rules relating to marriage.[2][3]

  1. ^ The Birlas: Empire in transition, The Birlas: Representing a fascinating saga in Indian enterprise, T.N. Ninan with Ch ander Uday Singh and Sumanta Sen, India Today, July 20, 2013
  2. ^ Timberg, Thomas A. (1969). Industrial Entrepreneurship Among the Trading Communities of India: How the Pattern Differs. Development Advisory Service, Center for International Affairs, Harvard University. p. 46.
  3. ^ Weinberger-Thomas, Catherine (1999) [1996]. Ashes of Immortality: Widow-Burning in India (Translated ed.). University of Chicago Press. p. 177. ISBN 978-0-22688-568-1.