Established in 1860, the Chanrai family has cultivated a legacy of entrepreneurship, adaptability, and long-term growth. Through each leadership transition, the family has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and strategic evolution, culminating in the formation of the Chanrai Summit Group in 1978. Today, under the leadership of Subodh Chanrai the family continues to drive sustainable growth and foster impactful global partnerships.

• 1860
• 1870
• 1880
• 1900
• 1904
• 1917
• 1934
• 1947
• 1978
• 2024

1860

Jhamatmal and Thakurdas Chanrai establish a textile trading operation in Sindh, undivided India.

1870

Expansion to Karachi and Bombay (now Mumbai) with ventures into textiles and handicrafts, including opening a shop in Malta, creating links to Gibraltar, the Canary Islands, and Morocco.

1880

Two decades of rapid growth focus on trading in smaller cities like Ceuta, Spain, and Tangier, Morocco.

1900

Expansion into Africa, establishing operations in Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Nigeria.

1904

Business ventures into South America, starting in Argentina, followed by Brazil and Chile.

1917

Leadership transitioned to the next generation, with a new base established in Bombay (now Mumbai).

1934

A branch is established in Madras (now Chennai), pioneering the export of “Madras checkered handkerchiefs” to West Africa.

1947

The partitioning of India prompted a relocation from Pakistan to Bombay, resulting in the dissolution of the joint family business into six distinct groups.

1978

Further restructuring establishes the Chanrai Summit Group, led by Seth Mithu Chanrai’s sons — Jagdish, Sunder, and Subodh Chanrai.

2024

Subodh Chanrai became Chairman of Chanrai Investments, joined by his children, Hansika and Vishant, following a strategic partnership with DP World.