Adamjee Peerbhoy

Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy was, by the turn of the 20th century, one of India's largest cotton manufacturers and wealthiest men. At one point he employed more than 15,000 workers in his cotton mills and supplied the canvas used for the tents and khaki uniforms of the British soldiers during the Second Boer War. Peerbhoy was also the first Indian Sheriff of Mumbai and was said to be the owner of the largest tannery in Asia. It is thought that he first made his money from shipbuilding.

Peerbhoy became president of the Muslim League for a time, attending its first session in Karachi in December 1907. He was also a noted philanthropist and his charitable works included the construction of the Saifee Trust Hospital in Mumbai.

Peerbhoy financed his son Abdul Hussein Adamjee Peerbhoy's construction of the Matheran Hill Railway which linked Matheran and Neral. [citenews|title=Railways plan steam run to Matheran|publisher=Times of India|date= May 9, 2002|url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/9305418.cms |quote=The rail link between Neral and The hill station of Matheran were introduced in 1907 and were financed by a wealthy merchant named Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy.]

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