Following the final collapse of the Mughal Empire in 1857 and the proclamation of the British Indian Empire, the British continued to maintain and recognise many of the old Mughal and Hindu styles and titles, introducing a compound honours system which awarded those titles along with British noble and aristocratic titles and knighthoods. Uniquely amongst the countries under British dominion, India was the sole country where British hereditary titles were conferred upon British subjects not of European ancestry. All British titles and honours became obsolete after the formation of the modern Republic of India in 1950, though they continue to be recognised by the British government.
A baronetcy is a British hereditary title which was granted to several Indians, all of whom were merchants, for their services to trade and commerce.
Extant
Jejeebhoy, of Bombay. Created in 1857 for Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, a noted Parsi business magnate and philanthropist from Bombay. The first Indian to be knighted, in 1842, he was known for his immense wealth and charitable works. Under a special act, all successive heirs to the baronetcy adopt the first baronet's full name as their own. The title is currently held by Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, 8th Baronet.
Petit, of Petit Hall of Bombay. Created in 1890 for Sir Dinshaw Maneckji Petit, a Parsi textiles merchant and entrepreneur. Under a special act, all successive heirs to the baronetcy adopt the first baronet's full name as their own. The title is currently held by Sir Dinshaw Maneckji Petit, 5th Baronet.
Jehangir, of Bombay. Created in 1908 for Sir Jehangir Cowasji Jehangir Readymoney, a prominent Parsi industrialist. Under a special act, all successive heirs to the baronetcy adopt the first baronet's full name as their own. The title is currently held by Sir Cowasji Jehangir, 4th Baronet.
Ebrahim, of Pabaney Villa of Bombay. Created in 1910 for Sir Currimbhoy Ebrahim, a prominent Gujarati Ismaili Muslim businessman and China trader, and the first Muslim to be granted a British hereditary title. Under a special act, all successive heirs of the first baronet adopt the first baronet's full name as their own. The title is currently held by Sir Currimbhoy Ebrahim, 4th Baronet.
Sassoon, of Bombay. Created in 1909 for Sir Jacob Elias Sassoon, the elder son of Elias David Sassoon and a nephew of Sir Albert Abdullah David Sassoon. He had no children and was succeeded under a special remainder in the letters patent by his younger brother Edward. He was succeeded by Sir E. V. Sassoon. At his death in Bermuda in 1961 the baronetcy became extinct.
Extinct
Sassoon, of Kensington Gore. Created in 1890 for Sir Albert Abdullah David Sassoon, a Baghdadi Jewish banker, merchant, philanthropist and member of the noted Sassoon family, who emigrated with his family from Baghdad to India in 1832. The title became extinct with the death of his grandson, the third baronet, in 1939.
