History of the Batlibois

The partners of the chartered accountants firm of S. R. Batliboi and Company have requested me to write a history of the firm in anticipation of it reaching its centenary in 2014. While much contemporary information is available, there is little information of the early years of the firm and of Sorabjee Batliboi, its founder.

Sorabjee began practice with his brother, Jamshed, in Bombay in 1908 but shifted to Calcutta after six years. They both trained in London in 1904-1908 at which time the family lived in Camden Town. The Times of India Directory of 1902 shows the family to have been residents of 70 Camballa Hill Road, Bombay. The same directory of 1900 shows Sorabjee’s grandfather’s address at D. J. Milk Supply Company, Parel.

I will be obliged to anyone who is able to provide me with more information of Sorabjee and his family, of the firm that bears his name and any information of the dairy in Parel. I may be contacted at 117, Mittal Towers, B Wing, Nariman Point, Bombay 400021; tel: 022-66322570.

NAWSHIR H. MIRZA

nhm@nawshirmirza.com