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Bhimji Parikh or Bhimji Parekh (1610-1680)〔B.G Gokhale, ''Surat In The Seventeenth Century: A Study in Urban History of pre-modern India'', Indian Edition (Bombay: Popular Prakashan Pvt Ltd, 1979), p. 122〕 was a Pushtimarg. He was born in 1610 in Surat. He is remembered today primarily for having introduced the first printing press, to Bombay in 1674-75.〔AK Priolkar, ''The Printing Press in India: Its Beginnings and Early Development'', (Mumbai: Marathi Samsodhana Mandala, 1958), p. 32〕 Bhimji intended to use this printing press for “the common good” of printing “ancient manuscripts” that would be “useful or at least grateful to posterity”.〔In a letter by Bhimji to the East India Company. Quoted in Priolkar, ''The Printing Press in India'', p. 30.〕 ==Life== Bhimji Parekh was the son of Tulsidas Parekh.〔Tulsidas Parekh was “a faithful and industrious servant of the Honorable company”. See Gokhale, ''Surat In The Seventeenth Century'', idk 121.〕 At various times Bhimji Parekh worked as broker for the East India Company, as a money lender, and as a printer. For services to the company, Parekh was awarded a medal and chain of gold worth 150 shillings in 1683.〔Makrand Mehta, ''Indian Merchants and Entrepreneurs in Historical Perspective'', (Delhi: Academic Foundation, 1991), p. 84. However, Gokhale claims the gold chain was worth £150. This is hardly believable. See Gokhale, ''Surat In The Seventeenth Century'', p. 121〕 A notable incident in Parekh's life occurred when religious persecution in Surat had become unbearable; he organised and led a boycott by Hindu banias against Aurangzeb. Over 800 merchants left Surat en masse. The boycott was successful and in December 1669, they returned to Surat upon promises of religious toleration.〔Gokhale, ''Surat In The Seventeenth Century'', p. 48.〕 Not many years later, Parekh would play a central role in the exodus of hundreds of Hindu banias from Surat to Bombay.〔For an account of the protest, and the eventual migration of hundreds of hindu businessmen from Surat to Bombay, see: Mehta, ''Indian Merchants and Entrepreneurs in Historical Perspective'', pp 78-83. Apart from a printing error, which would suggest that Parekh lived to be over 80 years old, this account appears to be accurate.〕 His grandson married a Jain lady.〔Mehboob Desai, ''Bhimji Parekh, (Divy Bhasakar New Papaer, Gujarati, Ahemedabad) p.4,〕 Parekh's family then adopted the Jain dharma. Parekh died in 1686 and left two under-aged sons, Vanmalidas and Shankardas, who would play an important part in the business life of Surat.〔Gokhale, ''Surat In The Seventeenth Century'', p. 85〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Bhimjee Parikh」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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