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

Purshottam H. Purohit, popularly known as Rawat Singh Rajpurohit, was a distinguished industrialist, philanthropist, and freedom fighter from the Fondar 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.

Purshottam H. Purohit was born into the Fondar 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 Rawat Singh reflects his noble status within the feudal and community hierarchy.

In the years leading up to India’s independence, Purshottam Ji aligned himself with the freedom struggle. He notably collaborated with Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, providing material and logistical support to the cause. Though not widely featured in public records, he is remembered in family and regional oral traditions as a patriotic and committed figure, offering covert assistance to nationalist activities.

Settling in Mumbai, Purshottam Ji entered the hospitality sector, founding the Adarsh Hotel Group, which would go on to become one of the largest and most respected hotel groups in the city. He is widely credited with bringing Rajasthani business acumen to Maharashtra’s commercial capital, inspiring 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.

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

• Provided free meals to underprivileged school children in Dongri, Mumbai

• Worked closely with senior Maharashtrian political leaders on education and welfare initiatives

• Supported causes related to rural health care, education, and employment

• Was instrumental in promoting 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, honoring Purshottam H. Purohit.

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 a:

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

In his memory, his children established the Purshottam H. Purohit Charitable Trust (PH Charitable Trust). Under this trust, they initiated numerous projects, including:

• India Post Gazette, August 2025

• Records from PH Charitable Trust

• Oral Histories (Fondar Rajpurohit Family of Basant)

• Maharashtra Hotel Association Archives