Arjunji Nathji

Travadi Arjunji Nathji was a renowned "saraf" (merchant banker) of Surat in the 18th century. He was the founder of the banking house of the Travadis, and was active in banking and trading activities.

Travadi Arjunji had cordial relations with the English and had often provided them with capital. Because of their relationship of mutual benefit the English often pleaded his case with the political authorities of Surat. In 1722 Arjunji was caught by customs authorities of Surat in bending some rules. He tried to shipped his goods in the name of a Muslim, since Muslim merchants, unlike Hindu merchants, enjoyed certain privileges in the matter of custom duties. A well known stratagem of Hindu merchants, only Arjunji got unlucky. In this case the English stepped in for Arjunji, pleading that he was not guilty, but the case caused a rift between the English and the Surat Government and also prolonged the issue by resulting in (1737) the extortion of 20,000 rupees from Arjunji by Teg-Bakht Khan, whom the English had seated as the Nawab in 1733. The English again complained and the infuriated Nawab retorted by asking them not to interfere in the internal matter of the state.

Arunji Nathji died in 1760 and was succeeded by his son Shrikrishna (1750-1822). He also kept close relationship with the English and continued to provide banking services to them through branches of his company all over India.