RT by @mikenov: 194 years ago, a Jewish trader from Baghdad, came to India almost as a refugee after persecution by the Ottoman empire. He eventually had 14 children and used them to build his global Empire. David Sassoon soon became the king of Opium trade with official backing of the British empire. His family controlled more than 60% of the opium that drug addicted youth of China took at that time. He became the Merchant Prince of Bombay! Ironically, his competitors were also refugees from West Asia in India. The Parsis. This refugee from Iraq, and the other refugees from Iran, built the biggest drug trade of mid 19th century, from Bombay, under total protection of the British Queen. Late

194 years ago, a Jewish trader from Baghdad, came to India almost as a refugee after persecution by the Ottoman empire. He eventually had 14 children and used them to build his global Empire.

David Sassoon soon became the king of Opium trade with official backing of the British empire. His family controlled more than 60% of the opium that drug addicted youth of China took at that time.

He became the Merchant Prince of Bombay!

Ironically, his competitors were also refugees from West Asia in India. The Parsis. This refugee from Iraq, and the other refugees from Iran, built the biggest drug trade of mid 19th century, from Bombay, under total protection of the British Queen.

Later his family spread into other businesses like cotton.

Here is a list of Mumbai’s landmarks built, funded, or established by David Sassoon and his family:

• David Sassoon Library & Reading Room (Kala Ghoda, Fort)
• Magen David Synagogue (Byculla)
• Jacob Sassoon High School (Byculla)
• E.E.E. Sassoon High School (Byculla)
• David Sassoon Hospital (J.J. Hospital Premises, Byculla)
• Masina Hospital (Byculla)
• Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue (Colaba)
• Sassoon Dock (Colaba) — Mumbai’s first commercial wet dock
• The Bank of India Head Office (Fort) — contributed/built
• The David Sassoon Reformatory and Deaf School (Matunga)
• Multiple textile mills and residential mansions (such as Sans Souci on Malabar Hill and properties around Dadar / Indu Mills)

Moral questions of Opium trade aside, just see the vast contribution to Bombay / Mumbai by a refugee family!

Image from  #Wiki

— @KiranKS Nov 5, 2026