Within his 3 decades from 1832, David Sassoon left behind a legacy of business, architecture, community leadership, and philanthropy, mostly in Mumbai and Pune. In 1864, in Pune he had taken his last breath.
From Baghdad to Bombay
David Sassoon (1792 -1864) was one of the 7 sons of Sheikh Sassoon, a Jewish merchant and community leader. The Sassoons were among the elite, claiming descent from King David.
In his early years, David worked in the family house and soon demonstrated an extraordinary talent for business. During a period of intense oppression under Daud Pasha in Baghdad, Sassoon acted as an unofficial leader for the Jewish community.
After being imprisoned and released on the condition
of exile, he moved first to Basra, then to Bushehr in Persia, where he worked
as a middleman for merchants trading between India and the Middle East.
The Call to India
A fortune teller predicted and even suggested Sassoon to shift in India after reading his palm.
In 1832, David Sassoon arrived in Bombay with his family. His friend and benefactor, Samuel Sakurya, helped him establish his first warehouse, marking the beginning of what would become a sprawling business empire.
From
his home on Tamarind Lane, where he installed a mezuzah on the doorpost an
important Jewish symbol, Sassoon expanded his trading company with branches in
China, Japan, and London.
At its peak, the Sassoon enterprise held enormous influence over trade
between India and the rest of the world, earning him the nickname "The
Rothschild of the East."
Family and Faith
Sassoon believed deeply in both his family and his faith. He personally
trained his 8 sons, involving them in the family business from the age of
their bar mitzvah. "Sassoon and Sons" was more than a name—it was a
testament to a family empire built on unity and trust.
David Sassoon was also deeply religious. He dedicated long hours to studying
the Talmud and never missed his prayers. On Fridays, he would close his office
in observance of the Sabbath, and he expected all Jewish employees to refrain
from work as commanded in the Torah.
Philanthropy and Public Works
Sassoon’s charitable spirit stemmed from his faith. He believed in tzedakah, the
Jewish obligation to give and personally responded to appeals from across the
globe. He was known as a just employer, approachable even to his most junior
staff.
His love of beauty was reflected in the homes he built. His residence “Sans
Souci” in Byculla (now Bhatia Hospital) and another in Malabar Hill showcased
his affinity for elegant architecture and fine craftsmanship.
Despite his deep ties to tradition, he acknowledged the influence of the
British and allowed his family to adopt western attire only after the East
India Company ceded control to the British Crown. He was appointed Justice of
the Peace and admired British punctuality—possibly explaining his enthusiasm
for building clock towers.
Landmarks and Lasting
Contributions
David Sassoon’s mark on Mumbai is visible even today. Among the many
institutions he helped establish are:
- David Sassoon Library and Reading Room (1847): Initially the Mechanics Institute, it was supported with a 60,000 rupee donation from Sassoon, matched by the British government. It remains one of the city’s largest and most historic libraries.
- Ohel David Synagogue, Pune: Also known as the "Lal Deval" or "Red Temple", this striking building features stained glass windows and a chiming clock—a nod to Sassoon's love of punctuality.
- Magen David Synagogue, Byculla: A major center of Jewish worship in the city.
- David Sassoon Hospital
- Sassoon Docks: Opened in 1875, still in use by the local fishing community.
His descendants continued his work that includes:
1. Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue
(1884): Built by Jacob Elias Sassoon.
2. Sir Jacob Sassoon High School, E.E.E.
Sassoon School
3. Major donations to institutions like the Royal
Institute of Science and Gateway of India
4. Contributions to textile mills and banking,
including founding the Bank of India
A Single Prince
David Sassoon died in November 1864 and was buried in Pune, within the
grounds of the synagogue he built. During his year of mourning, his sons held
prayer services around the world. A traveler from Palestine, Jacob Safir, once
described him as "a single prince who is the head over them all."
His memory lives on not only through buildings and institutions but through
the values of leadership, charity, and cultural preservation he instilled in
generations.