During an 1884 visit to the UK, industrialist and visionary Jamsetji Tata took Sir Cowasji Jehangir (2nd Baronet) then aged five, shopping to a fair, noted Adi Jehangir, grandson of the 2nd Baronet. The Tatas and Jehangirs were great friends, recalled Adi. "My greatgrandfather had given my grandfather one shilling as shopping allowance. The young boy Cowasji decided to purchase a (clay) bust of Queen Victoria costing two shillings,” he wrote. Tata then stepped in and contributed the extra shilling! "This statue is still with our family. Notwithstanding that the founder of Tatas paid for 50% of it, we will not entertain any claims for it from the House of Tatas!” noted Adi, who cited the anecdote in a WhatsApp message to coincide with the 180th birth anniversary of Tata (1839-1904) on March 3, 2019. "Jamsetji was particularly fond of my grandfather in spite of the 40-year age difference and remained so till the former passed away in 1904,” Adi noted.
Above: Book cover of Bombay Then/Mumbai Now featuring
(standing from l) Sir Cowasji Jehangir, 1st Bart, Jamsetji Tata,
Sir Cowasji Jehangir (in hat), Cooverbai Jehangir, (seated) Lady Dhunbai
Jehangir from 1884 trip to UK; clay bust of Queen Victoria
Sir Cowasji Jehangir (1st Baronet) was a co-promoter of Tata Iron and Steel Company and also a founder director till his death in 1934. Subsequently his son, the 2nd Baronet was made a director, a position he held till 1962, the year of his death, noted Adi.