Purshottamdas H. Purohit | Freedom Fighter | Rajpurohit

Alias: Rawat Singh Purohit
Industrialist | Freedom Fighter | Philanthropist | Hospitality Pioneer
Clan: Fauondar
Thikana: Basant, District Pali, Rajasthan

Purshottamdas H. Purohit, popularly known as Rawat Singh Purohit, was a distinguished industrialist, philanthropist, and freedom fighter from the Fauondar clan of the Rajpurohit community. Originally hailing from the Thikana of Basant in Pali district, Rajasthan, he became a celebrated figure in Maharashtra, particularly Mumbai, where he established one of the largest hotel chains under the Adarsh Hotel Group. He also played a notable role in India’s freedom movement, working with Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Purshottamdas H. Purohit was born into the Fauondar branch of the Rajpurohit community of Rajasthan. His ancestral seat was Thikana Basant, a historic estate in Pali district, long associated with Rajpurohit military and administrative service. The title Rawatsingh reflected his noble status within the feudal and community hierarchy.

In the years leading up to India’s independence, Purshottamdas Ji actively aligned himself with the freedom struggle. During World War II, while in Italy, he secretly delivered important messages to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, assisting in the formulation of key strategies.

Though not widely documented in public records, family and regional oral traditions remember him as a patriotic and committed figure, offering covert assistance to nationalist activities.

Settling in Mumbai, Purshottamdas Ji entered the hospitality sector, founding the Adarsh Hotel Group, which became one of the largest and most respected hotel chains in the city. He is widely credited with bringing Rajasthani business acumen to Maharashtra’s commercial capital, inspiring and supporting a new generation of hospitality entrepreneurs from Rajasthan.

He also served as Vice President of the Mumbai and Maharashtra Hotel Association, playing a leadership role in shaping policy and industry standards. He was appointed Justice of Peace and Special Executive Magistrate by the Maharashtra State Government.

Apart from business, Purshottamdas H. Purohit was deeply involved in philanthropic and social welfare efforts:

• Initiated the establishment of Rajpurohit Chhatravas, Falna in a meeting presided over by him on 15 December 1970, contributing the highest donation for the project.

• Collaborated with eminent social workers and political leaders from Maharashtra and Rajasthan on education and welfare initiatives.

• Supported causes related to rural healthcare, education, and employment, promoting Aatmanirbhar (self-reliance).

• Actively promoted community harmony and upliftment across caste and regional lines.

In recognition of his multifaceted contributions, the Government of India, Department of Posts, released a commemorative postage stamp on 2 August 2025 in his honour.

The stamp was formally released in Mumbai by Shri Haribhau Bagade, Governor of Rajasthan, in the presence of distinguished guests and dignitaries. The tribute described him as:

“Karmayogi, visionary entrepreneur, freedom fighter, and philanthropic torchbearer of Rajasthan in Maharashtra.”

In his memory, his children established the P. H. Purohit (Rawatsingh) Charitable Trust, under which several initiatives were launched, including: