My collection of Indian Textile Mill Tokens & Share Certificates

30/08/2026

J.K. Jute Mills Co. Ltd. was established in 1929 and was registered on December 7, 1931, by the J.K. Organization (Singhania family). The mill, located near Jarib Chowki, Kalpi Road in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh produced jute canvas, tarpaulins, hessian, and sacking bags

Production dropped significantly over the years and the unit was mired in litigation since 1980 leading to partial closures and a final shutdown in March 2014 after having resumed operations in January 2009 after a period of 20 years. The J K Jute Mills, a symbol of Kanpur’s industrial pride for more than seven decades, was finally sealed for defaulting on wage payments of workers in December 2017.

Here is a medal commemorating the SILVER Jubilee of the mill. Issued in copper, shows the mill was incorporated in 1931. A hook was provided to wear the medal / token.

12/08/2026

12/08/2026

Aruna Mills Limited was a Non-govt public listed company, incorporated on 09 Jan, 1928. It was one of the constituents of the Lalbhai Group – managed by the family of one of Kasturbahi Lalbhai's sister. The mill was located near Naroda Road, in Ahmedabad. Aruna Mills Limited was a renowned Composite Manufacturer of Textiles (Spinning, Weaving and Finishing of Textiles) and was later liquated when the mill closed down during the downturn of the textile industry. Its authorized share capital was Rs. 20,000,000 around the time it was liquidated.
Though this certificate is of a very recent vintage (issue of Bonus Shares in 1980), I was struck by the beauty and that is why I am uploading it here. Rarely does one come across such beautiful certificates issued by Indian Companies, especially in the not too distant past.

09/08/2026

Benares Cotton and Silk Mills Ltd. was an Indian Non government Company registered under the Indian Companies Act 1913 – 14 in the year 1919. It was based in Benares (now Varanasi).
A public issue was made in June 1920 when the capital was Rs. 75 Lakhs (Rs. 75,00,000) divided in to 6,00,000 Ordinary Shares of Rs. 10 each and 15,000 7% Cumulative preference shares of Rs. 100 each. In 1948 the authorized remained the same but the Issued & Subscribed capital was Rs. 45,49,970 divided as 4,44,197 ordinary shares of Rs. 10 each and 1,080 Preference Shares of Rs. 100 each. Paid Up capital was 33,77,540 divided in to 3,27,234 Ordinary Shares of Rs. 10 each and 1052 Preference Shares of Rs. 100 each – both fully paid up. This capital seems to have remained constant till the mill went in to liquidation in 1954 (except for an issue of debentures, just prior to the winding up).
No information about the promoters etc at the time of incorporation is available. In the later part of 1940’s. the Managing Agents were Sital Prasad Kharag Prasad. The Directors included Jyotibhushan Gupta, Mahaliram Sonthalia, Madanlal Khemka, Roopchand Jhunjhunwala, Baboolal Dhandhania, Dwarka Prasad Jhunjhunwala, Lakshmuidas and Chhoteylal Kanoria.
From the attached Share Certificate it appears that M..lalchand Shivaprasad were the Managing Agents of the company at the time of its registration.
In the late 1940’s the mill was equipped with 505 Looms and 19273 Ring spindles & 2924 mule spindles.
The war (World War 2) had helped the Mill make huge Profits which increased from a few thousand rupees in 1940 (at the start of the war) to 13.68 Lakhs in 1943. However, as the war was drawing to a close, the profits started shrinking and the mill declared a dividend of 33 % on a much smaller profit in 1944.
By means of the resolution dated 17th March, 1954, the company decided to issue some debentures and these were issued on on 2nd April, 1954. (The details of the number of debentures issued or the amount raised are yet not available). Mr. M.K Jhunjhunwala, one of the directors of the company at this point in time was allotted 150 Debentures of which he had sold 50 even before the debentures were allotted.
Due to fiscal mismanagement, a winding-up petition was filed on May 13, 1954 and the winding-up order was passed on May 4, 1955. Soon thereafter the Mills were leased out to M/s Ramlal Rajaram. However when the first period of lease was due to expire, an attempt was made by M/s. Ramlal Rajaram for the renewal of the lease for a further period of three years on the same terms and conditions on which the Mills had been originally leased out to them. The Committee of Inspection was, however, of the view that it would be in the interest of the share-holders as also all others concerned if instead of the Mills being leased out, the same were sold and resolved accordingly. Offers for purchase of the Mills were invited. On 23rd December, 1960, M/s. Karam Chand Thapar and Bros. (P) Ltd. (hereinafter called the Thapar Bros.) made an offer for Rs. 24,00,000/-. On 20th January, 1961, the Committee of Inspection accepted the offer which was also accepted by the District Judge on 28th January, 1961. He ordered that the Liquidators shall go ahead with the sale to M/s Karam Chand Thapar and Bros. Ltd. and “complete the transaction without delay on the terms and conditions already settled with them so that the Mills may be taken possession of by them as soon as possible."
Since the company had gone in to liquidation before the Indian Companies Act 1956 was introduced, no information about this company is available on the RoC.