Is that a chimney I see circling in the distance? That solitary structure and a few wall fragments are all that remain of the once-thriving India United Dye Works no.6. This was also known as Indu Mills. We are standing on Dadar’s Cadell Road, the former heart of Bombay’s textile industry.
India United Dye Works no.6 was established in 1890 by the Sassoon family. They were Baghdadi Jews who became known as “the Rothschilds of the East” due to their vast trading and banking empire.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine this area bustling with activity. Large sheds with sloping roofs allowed natural light to flood in. This design was known as north-light trusses. The Dye Works played a crucial role in the textile production process.
Sir Jacob Sassoon, grandson of David Sassoon, spearheaded the family’s textile ventures. His first acquisition was Alexandra Mill. Its success motivated him to build ED Sassoon Mill. This was in memory of his father. He equipped it with the latest machinery.
Interestingly, Sir Jacob sought to employ Jewish managers. This led to a wave of Jewish immigration to Bombay. Tempting benefits were offered. These included jobs at the mills, good schools, synagogues, and healthcare.
By 1905, ED Sassoon and Company was a textile giant. It included the Dye Works here in Dadar. It also included the Jacob Sassoon Mill in Parel. The Parel mill was enormous. It employed 3,000 people and produced 16,000 pounds of cloth.
The 1930s brought hardship. The Great Depression caused massive losses. By 1941, Sir Jacob had to sell the family business. The buyers were Marwari investors known as Aggarwal and Company. Sir Jacob then moved to Shanghai to become a real estate speculator.
After being expelled from Shanghai during World War II, he returned to Bombay. He lived in a sea-facing bungalow near India United Dye Works no.6. That bungalow, though unremarkable, was once his home.
In the late 1960s, the government nationalized the Sassoon mills due to mismanagement. These mills became part of the National Textile Corporation in 1972-74.
India United Dye Works no.6, once electrified in 1923, was a hub of innovation. Bleaching and cloth printing flourished here. Mercerizing and roller engraving plants were added. Bombay’s mills were technologically advanced for their time. This made Bombay “the finest city East of the Suez.”
Today, a museum is planned for the United Mills 2 and 3 compound. This aims to preserve Mumbai’s textile heritage. The chimney before us is a silent witness to this rich industrial past. It reminds us of the Sassoon family’s legacy. It also reminds us of Bombay’s textile dominance. The India United Dye Works no.6 played a vital role in shaping Mumbai’s identity.