Lakshmi Bai Chand Rao

19th-century Indian entrepreneur who became one of the wealthiest women in India through her textile empire, breaking gender norms.

Lakshmi Bai Chand Rao (1858–1932) was a pioneering entrepreneur and industrialist in India, renowned for establishing one of the largest textile empires in pre-independence India. Born into a Marwari merchant family in Mumbai, she defied societal expectations by taking over her father’s failing textile business at age 22 after his untimely death. Through innovative management practices and strategic investments in machinery imported from Manchester, she transformed the company into a powerhouse employing over 1,500 workers. Her factories produced high-quality cotton fabrics that were exported across Asia and Europe, earning her the title of 'Empress of Indian Textiles'.

Rao’s achievements were revolutionary in a patriarchal society where women rarely held leadership roles. She championed workers’ rights, providing healthcare and education facilities for employees. Her business model inspired other women entrepreneurs like Indira Gandhi’s grandmother, who later entered politics. Today, her legacy lives on through the Lakshmi Bai Foundation, which supports women-owned businesses in India.