The '''Sarabhai family''' is a prominent Indian family active in several fields. The patriarch, [[Ambalal Sarabhai]], was a leading [[industrialist]]. While he created significant wealth, his children interested themselves in a wide variety of other endeavours, and the family is better known for those activities, rather than for industrial enterprise, which is now all but defunct.
The '''Sarabhai family''' is a prominent Indian family active in several fields. The patriarch, [[Ambalal Sarabhai]], was a leading [[industrialist]]. While he created significant wealth, his children interested themselves in a wide variety of other endeavours, and the family is better known for those activities, rather than for their industrial enterprise. The family's business activities continue through Ambalal Sarabhai Enterprises.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 May 2021 |title=Synbiotics eyes double revenue amid black fungus crisis; expert weighs in on opportunities for small pharma firms |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/healthcare/synbiotics-eyes-double-revenue-amid-black-fungus-crisis-expert-weighs-in-on-opportunities-for-small-pharma-firms-9425841.htm |access-date=2024-08-08 |website=CNBCTV18 |language=en}}</ref>
==Family history==
==Family history==
The Sarabhai family are major business family of [[India]] belonging to the [[Shrimal Jain]] community.<ref name="outlook">{{cite news|title=Vikram A Sarabhai|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/vikram-a-sarabhai/216858|accessdate=21 March 2018|publisher=Outlook|date=19 August 2002}}</ref>
The Sarabhai family are a major business family in India belonging to the [[Shrimal Jain]] [[Bania (caste)|Bania]] community.<ref name="outlook">{{cite news|title=Vikram A Sarabhai|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/vikram-a-sarabhai/216858|access-date=21 March 2018|publisher=Outlook|date=19 August 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TRe6EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA346|title=Business and Politics in India|page=346|author=Stanley A. Kochanek|date=28 April 2023|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=9780520319127 |quote=The Sarabhais are Gujarati (Jain Bania Shrimali) from Ahmedabad.}}</ref> Its twentieth century patriarch, Sheth [[Ambalal Sarabhai]], was a Jain industrialist. He had five daughters and three sons who were involved in the family business as well as the [[Indian independence movement]]. After India's independence, the family remained involved in developmental tasks undertaken by the [[Government of India]].
Its twentieth century doyen Sheth Ambalal Sarabhai, was a [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]] industrialist. He had five daughters and three sons who were involved in the family business as well as the Indian independence movement. After India's freedom, the family remained involved in developmental tasks undertaken by the government of India.
Ambalal Sarabhai was a prominent mill owner and also interested in philanthropic activities. His wife Sarladevi Sarabhai was impressed by the [[Maria Montessori]] philosophy and in the year 1922, Montessori sent E. M. Standing to India for the [[homeschooling]] of Sarabhai children.
[[Ambalal Sarabhai]] was a prominent mill-owner and also interested in philanthropic activities. His wife Sarladevi Sarabhai was impressed by the [[Maria Montessori]] philosophy and in the year 1922, Montessori sent E. M. Standing to India for the [[homeschooling]] of Sarabhai children.
Sarabhai Enterprises branched out after India's independence and many pioneer ventures were made in fields dominated by foreign companies. The manufacture of drugs and pharmaceuticals, chemicals and intermediates, dyes and pigments, industrial and household detergents, soaps and cosmetics, industrial packaging and containers, and later engineering and electronic products.
Sarabhai Enterprises branched out after India's independence and many pioneer ventures were made in fields dominated by foreign companies. The manufacture of drugs and pharmaceuticals, chemicals and intermediates, dyes and pigments, industrial and household detergents, soaps and cosmetics, industrial packaging and containers, and later engineering and electronic products.
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Prominent members of the Sarabhai family include:
Prominent members of the Sarabhai family include:
*[[Ambalal Sarabhai]]. Patriarch of the family. Born into a family of tradesmen, he invested the family wealth into various industrial enterprises in the early 1900s, including Sarabhai Textile Mills at [[Ahmedabad]], which was one of the largest in India at that time.
*[[Ambalal Sarabhai]]. Patriarch of the family. Born into a family of tradesmen, he invested the family wealth into various industrial enterprises in the early 1900s, including Sarabhai Textile Mills at [[Ahmedabad]], which was one of the largest in India at that time.
*[[Anasuya Sarabhai]] (Ambalal's sister), a trade unionist, activist and freedom fighter. Married young, she never cohabited with her husband.
*[[Anasuya Sarabhai]] (sister of Ambalal Sarabhai), a trade unionist, activist and freedom fighter. Married young, she never cohabited with her husband.
*Saraladevi Sarabhai, wife of Ambalal and the mother of his eight children (three sons and five daughters)
*Saraladevi Sarabhai (wife of Ambalal Sarabhai) and the mother of his eight children (three sons and five daughters)
**Suhrid Sarabhai Sr. (son of Ambalal Sarabhai), industrialist
***Manorama Sarabhai, wife of Suhrid Sarabhai, commissioned [[Villa Sarabhai]]
***Manorama Sarabhai (wife of Suhrid Sarabhai), commissioned [[Villa Sarabhai]]
***Anand Sarabhai (son of Suhrid Sr), molecular biologist, partner of [[Lynda Benglis]], American [[sculptor]] and [[visual artist]]
***Anand Sarabhai (son of Suhrid Sr), molecular biologist, partner of [[Lynda Benglis]], American [[sculptor]] and [[visual artist]]
***Suhrid Sarabhai Jr (son of Suhrid Sr), industrialist
***Suhrid Sarabhai Jr (son of Suhrid Sr), industrialist
****Asha Sarabhai, wife of Suhrid Jr, clothing designer
****Asha Sarabhai, wife of Suhrid Jr, clothing designer
***Sanjay Sarabhai (son of Suhrid Sr)
***Sanjay Sarabhai (son of Suhrid Jr)
**[[Gautam Sarabhai]] (Ambalal's son), industrialist and philanthropist
***Samir Sarabhai (son of Suhrid Jr)
***Mana and Shyama, daughters of Gautam sarabhai
**[[Gautam Sarabhai]] (son of Ambalal Sarabhai), industrialist, philanthropist, co founder & the architect of the [[National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-02-17 |title=C20 Magazine |url=https://hcp.co.in/reviews/c20-magazine/ |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=HCP Design, Planning and Management Pvt. Ltd. |language=en-US}}</ref>
**[[Mridula Sarabhai]] (Ambalal's daughter), Indian independence activist and politician; unmarried
***[[Kamalini Sarabhai]] (wife of Gautam Sarabhai), co founder of [[B.M. Institute of Mental Health]]
**[[Vikram Sarabhai]] (Ambalal's son), co-founder of [[Indian Space Research Organisation|ISRO]] and [[Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad|IIM Ahmedabad]].
***Mana Sarabhai Brearley (daughter of Gautam Sarabhai)
***[[Mrinalini Sarabhai]]. wife of Vikram Sarabhai and a danseuse.
****Mischa Gorchov Brearley (son of Mana Sarabhai Brearley with artist Robert Gorchov)
***[[Kartikeya Sarabhai]] (son of Vikram Sarabhai), educationist and environmentalist
****Lara Brearley (daughter of Mana Sarabhai Brearley with [[Mike Brearley]])
***[[Mallika Sarabhai]] (daughter of Vikram Sarabhai), a danseuse and activist; briefly married to Bipin Shah, a publisher
***Shyama Gautam Sarabhai (daughter of Gautam Sarabhai)
****[[Revanta Sarabhai]], son of Mallika Sarabhai and Bipin Shah; a dancer
****Anand Zaveri (husband of Shyama Gautam Sarabhai)
****Anahita Sarabhai, performance artist, co-founder of QueerAbad<ref>https://scroll.in/magazine/890421/in-ahmedabad-two-women-are-giving-the-queer-community-a-safe-space-where-they-can-ask-questions</ref>
*****Shaan Zaveri (son of Shyama Gautam Sarabhai with Anand Zaveri), real estate developer in Ahmedabad<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 11, 2003 |first=Uday |last=Mahurkar |title=In two years, hospital in Ahmedabad treats over 10,000 animals |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/offtrack/story/20030811-in-two-years-hospital-in-ahmedabad-treats-over-10000-animals-791945-2003-08-11 |access-date=2022-09-21 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
**Leena Mangaldas (Ambalal's daughter), founder of Shreyas Foundation. She is married to Madanmohan Mangaldas Girdhardas, noted industrialist
*****Neel Zaveri (son of Shyama Gautam Sarabhai with Anand Zaveri)
**[[Mridula Sarabhai]] (daughter of Ambalal Sarabhai), Indian independence activist and politician; unmarried
**[[Vikram Sarabhai]] (son of Ambalal Sarabhai), co-founder of [[Indian Space Research Organisation|ISRO]] and [[Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad|IIM Ahmedabad]]
***[[Mrinalini Sarabhai]] (wife of Vikram Sarabhai), dancer
***[[Kartikeya Sarabhai]] (son of Vikram Sarabhai), educationist and environmentalist is married to Dr Prithi Nambiar, author, academic and Senior Program Director, CEE
****Rajshree Sarabhai (former wife of Kartikeya Sarabhai), writer and director of Rajka Designs, a textile design studio
****Samvit Sarabhai (son of Kartikeya Sarbhai), current director of Rajka Designs
****Mohal Sarabhai (son of Kartikeya Sarbhai), managing director of Asence Pharma Pvt. Ltd., and Synbiotics Limited (a Sarabhai Family company incorporated in 1960)
*****Christina Sarabhai (wife of Mohal Sarabhai)
*****Kavan Sarabhai (son of Mohal and Christina Sarabhai)
***[[Mallika Sarabhai]] (daughter of Vikram Sarabhai), a dancer and activist; briefly married to Bipin Shah, a publisher
****[[Revanta Sarabhai]] (son of Mallika Sarabhai and Bipin Shah), dancer
****Anahita Sarabhai (daughter of Mallika Sarabhai), performance artist & co-founder of QueerAbad<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/magazine/890421/in-ahmedabad-two-women-are-giving-the-queer-community-a-safe-space-where-they-can-ask-questions|title=In Ahmedabad, two women are giving the queer community a safe space where they can ask questions|date=22 August 2018 }}</ref>
**Leena Mangaldas (daughter of Ambalal Sarabhai), founder of Shreyas Foundation.
***Madanmohan Mangaldas Girdhardas (husband of Leena Mangaldas), noted industrialist
***Kamal Mangaldas (son of Leena Mangaldas), noted architect
***Kamal Mangaldas (son of Leena Mangaldas), noted architect
****Arjun Mangaldas (son of Kamal Mangaldas), architect
****Arjun Mangaldas (son of Kamal Mangaldas), architect
*****Leeza Mangaldas (daughter of Arjun Magaldas)
****Abhay Mangaldas (son of Kamal Mangaldas), hotelier, founder of House of MG, a heritage hotel in Ahmedabad
****Abhay Mangaldas (son of Kamal Mangaldas), hotelier, founder House of MG
**[[Gira Sarabhai]] (daughter of Ambalal Sarabhai), co-founder of the [[National Institute of Design]], the [[Calico Museum of Textiles]]
**[[Gira Sarabhai]] (Ambalal's daughter), unmarried; founder of the [[National Institute of Design]], the [[Calico Museum of Textiles]]
**[[Gita Sarabhai|Gita Mayor]] (daughter of Ambalal Sarabhai), Indian musician; well known for her patronage in music
***Pallavi Satyadev Mayor (daughter of Gita Mayor)
****Ajay Mayor (son of Pallavi Mayor)
**Bharti Sarabhai, (daughter of Ambalal Sarabhai), unmarried
==Institutions built by Sarabhai family==
==Institutions built by Sarabhai family==
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# Shreyas Foundation & School - Leenaben Mangaldas
# Shreyas Foundation & School - Leenaben Mangaldas
# B.M. Institute of Mental Health - Gautam Sarabhai
# B.M. Institute of Mental Health - Gautam Sarabhai
# The Physcotherapy Study Group - Gautam Sarabhai
# The Psychotherapy Study Group - Gautam Sarabhai
# [[National Institute of Design]] - Gautam Sarabhai and Gira Sarabhai
# [[National Institute of Design]] - Gautam Sarabhai and Gira Sarabhai
# [[Darpana Academy of Performing Arts]] - Mrinalini & Vikram Sarabhai
# [[Darpana Academy of Performing Arts]] - Mrinalini & Vikram Sarabhai
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# Mapin Publishing - Mallika Sarabhai and her husband Bipin Shah [[File:Gautam Gira Sarabhai Square.jpg|thumb|Gautam Gira Sarabhai Square, [[National Institute of Design]], Ahmedabad. Earlier known as Nayak Square. ]]
# Mapin Publishing - Mallika Sarabhai and her husband Bipin Shah [[File:Gautam Gira Sarabhai Square.jpg|thumb|Gautam Gira Sarabhai Square, [[National Institute of Design]], Ahmedabad. Earlier known as Nayak Square. ]]
==Major Institution Building Efforts of Vikram Sarabhai (1947-1971)==
==Major institution building efforts of Vikram Sarabhai (1947-1971)==
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
# [[Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association]] (ATIRA)
# [[Ahmedabad Textile Industry's Research Association]] (ATIRA)
# [[Physical Research Laboratory]] (PRL), Ahmedabad
# [[Physical Research Laboratory]] (PRL), Ahmedabad
# [[Indian Institute of Management]], Ahmedabad
# [[Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad]]
# [[Community Science Centre]] (CSC), Ahmedabad
# [[Community Science Centre]] (CSC), Ahmedabad
# [[Nehru Foundation for Development]] (NFD), Ahmedabad
# [[Nehru Foundation for Development]] (NFD), Ahmedabad
# [[Electronics Corporation of India]] (ECIL), Hyderabad
# [[Electronics Corporation of India]] (ECIL), Hyderabad
# [[Uranium Corporation of India]] (UCIL), Jaduguda, Bihar
# [[Uranium Corporation of India]] (UCIL), Jaduguda, Jharkhand
}}
}}
No.4 was renamed as the Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre after Dr. Sarabhai’s death in 1971. No.18 & 19 were merged under the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre after Dr. Sarabhai’s death in 1971. Nos.21,22,23,24,25 and 26 were merged under the Space Applications Centre after Dr. Sarabhai’s death in 1971. No. 31 was renamed as Vikram Earth Station after Dr. Sarabhai’s death in 1971.
No.4 was renamed the Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre after Dr. Sarabhai’s death in 1971. No.18 & 19 were merged under the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre after Dr. Sarabhai’s death in 1971. Nos.21,22,23,24,25 and 26 were merged under the Space Applications Centre after Dr. Sarabhai’s death in 1971. No. 31 was renamed Vikram Earth Station after Dr. Sarabhai’s death in 1971.
<gallery mode="nolines" caption="Various photographs of Sarabhais collected/photographed by Nathan Hughes Hamilton (Squibb - Sarabhai Chemicals) in early 1950s, Baroda, Ahmedabad and Bombay">
<gallery mode="nolines" caption="Various photographs of Sarabhais collected/photographed by Nathan Hughes Hamilton (Squibb - Sarabhai Chemicals) in early 1950s, Baroda, Ahmedabad and Bombay">
File:Sitting fourth from left is Vikram Sarabhai. Baroda, 1950.jpg|Vikram Sarabhai
File:Sitting fourth from left is Vikram Sarabhai. Baroda, 1950.jpg|Vikram Sarabhai
File:This luncheon group photo with several members of the Sarabhai family. Baroda, 1951.jpg|Seated Gita Sarabhai Mayor , Vikram Sarabhai and Gira Sarabhai.
File:This luncheon group photo with several members of the Sarabhai family. Baroda, 1951.jpg|Seated Gita Sarabhai Mayor, Vikram Sarabhai and Gira Sarabhai.
File:Gita Sarabhai Mayor, Ahmedabad, 1952.jpg|Gita Sarabhai Mayor
File:Gita Sarabhai Mayor, Ahmedabad, 1952.jpg|Gita Sarabhai Mayor
File:Gita (nee Sarabhai) Mayor, Baroda, 1951.jpg|Gita Sarabhai Mayor
File:Gita (nee Sarabhai) Mayor, Baroda, 1951.jpg|Gita Sarabhai Mayor
File:Gita (nee Sarabhai) Mayor in either Ahmedabad or New York, 1952.jpg|Gita Sarabhai Mayor
File:Gita (nee Sarabhai) Mayor in either Ahmedabad or New York, 1952.jpg|Gita Sarabhai Mayor
File:Mr. Pandya of Sarabhai, Gita Sarabhai Mayor and daughter Pallavi, Dorothy Waller, and Satyadev Mayor seeing off the Hamiltons,Bombay Airport, 1953.jpg
File:Mr. Pandya of Sarabhai, Gita Sarabhai Mayor and daughter Pallavi, Dorothy Waller, and Satyadev Mayor seeing off the Hamiltons,Bombay Airport, 1953.jpg
File:Baroda, 1951.jpg|Seated 5th from left, Gita sarabhai Mayor
File:Baroda, 1951.jpg|Seated fifth from left, Gita sarabhai Mayor
File:Luncheon at the Polo Club, Baroda, 1951.jpg|Ambalal Sarabhai can be spotted at the back close to the glass windows/doors.
File:Luncheon at the Polo Club, Baroda, 1951.jpg|Ambalal Sarabhai can be spotted at the back close to the glass windows/doors.
File:Gita and Ambalal, Ahmedabad, 1952.jpg|Gita and Ambalal Sarabhai
File:Gita and Ambalal, Ahmedabad, 1952.jpg|Gita and Ambalal Sarabhai
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*[http://www.montessori-india.org/montessori_india.php Maria Montessory In India]
*[http://www.montessori-india.org/montessori_india.php Maria Montessory In India]
[[Category:Gujarati people]]
[[Category:Sarabhai family| ]]
[[Category:Sarabhai family| ]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Gujarat]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Gujarat]]
Latest revision as of 00:45, 8 February 2026
For other people with the same name, see Sarabhai.
The Sarabhai family is a prominent Indian family active in several fields. The patriarch, Ambalal Sarabhai, was a leading industrialist. While he created significant wealth, his children interested themselves in a wide variety of other endeavours, and the family is better known for those activities, rather than for their industrial enterprise. The family's business activities continue through Ambalal Sarabhai Enterprises.[1]
The Sarabhai family are a major business family in India belonging to the Shrimal JainBania community.[2][3] Its twentieth century patriarch, Sheth Ambalal Sarabhai, was a Jain industrialist. He had five daughters and three sons who were involved in the family business as well as the Indian independence movement. After India's independence, the family remained involved in developmental tasks undertaken by the Government of India.
Ambalal Sarabhai was a prominent mill owner and also interested in philanthropic activities. His wife Sarladevi Sarabhai was impressed by the Maria Montessori philosophy and in the year 1922, Montessori sent E. M. Standing to India for the homeschooling of Sarabhai children.
Sarabhai Enterprises branched out after India's independence and many pioneer ventures were made in fields dominated by foreign companies. The manufacture of drugs and pharmaceuticals, chemicals and intermediates, dyes and pigments, industrial and household detergents, soaps and cosmetics, industrial packaging and containers, and later engineering and electronic products.
Ambalal Sarabhai. Patriarch of the family. Born into a family of tradesmen, he invested the family wealth into various industrial enterprises in the early 1900s, including Sarabhai Textile Mills at Ahmedabad, which was one of the largest in India at that time.
Anasuya Sarabhai (sister of Ambalal Sarabhai), a trade unionist, activist and freedom fighter. Married young, she never cohabited with her husband.
Saraladevi Sarabhai (wife of Ambalal Sarabhai) and the mother of his eight children (three sons and five daughters)
Suhrid Sarabhai Sr. (son of Ambalal Sarabhai), industrialist
Manorama Sarabhai (wife of Suhrid Sarabhai), commissioned Villa Sarabhai
Kartikeya Sarabhai (son of Vikram Sarabhai), educationist and environmentalist is married to Dr Prithi Nambiar, author, academic and Senior Program Director, CEE
Rajshree Sarabhai (former wife of Kartikeya Sarabhai), writer and director of Rajka Designs, a textile design studio
Samvit Sarabhai (son of Kartikeya Sarbhai), current director of Rajka Designs
Mohal Sarabhai (son of Kartikeya Sarbhai), managing director of Asence Pharma Pvt. Ltd., and Synbiotics Limited (a Sarabhai Family company incorporated in 1960)
Christina Sarabhai (wife of Mohal Sarabhai)
Kavan Sarabhai (son of Mohal and Christina Sarabhai)
Mallika Sarabhai (daughter of Vikram Sarabhai), a dancer and activist; briefly married to Bipin Shah, a publisher
Revanta Sarabhai (son of Mallika Sarabhai and Bipin Shah), dancer
Anahita Sarabhai (daughter of Mallika Sarabhai), performance artist & co-founder of QueerAbad[6]
Leena Mangaldas (daughter of Ambalal Sarabhai), founder of Shreyas Foundation.
Madanmohan Mangaldas Girdhardas (husband of Leena Mangaldas), noted industrialist
Kamal Mangaldas (son of Leena Mangaldas), noted architect
Arjun Mangaldas (son of Kamal Mangaldas), architect
Abhay Mangaldas (son of Kamal Mangaldas), hotelier, founder of House of MG, a heritage hotel in Ahmedabad
No.4 was renamed the Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre after Dr. Sarabhai’s death in 1971. No.18 & 19 were merged under the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre after Dr. Sarabhai’s death in 1971. Nos.21,22,23,24,25 and 26 were merged under the Space Applications Centre after Dr. Sarabhai’s death in 1971. No. 31 was renamed Vikram Earth Station after Dr. Sarabhai’s death in 1971.
Various photographs of Sarabhais collected/photographed by Nathan Hughes Hamilton (Squibb - Sarabhai Chemicals) in early 1950s, Baroda, Ahmedabad and Bombay
Vikram Sarabhai
Seated Gita Sarabhai Mayor, Vikram Sarabhai and Gira Sarabhai.
↑Stanley A. Kochanek (28 April 2023). Business and Politics in India. University of California Press. p. 346. ISBN9780520319127. The Sarabhais are Gujarati (Jain Bania Shrimali) from Ahmedabad.