On the advice of banker Dyal Singh Majithia, to pursue "money" to do what one 'likes', Harkishen Lal started his career in business by becoming the Honorary Secretary of the Punjab National Bank.

The following year, he founded the Bharat Insurance Company in Lahore and subsequently was one of the trustees during the launch of the newspaper The Tribune.

[6] Following this commercial success, Harkishen Lal encountered difficulties from religious extremists and the British colonial government.

He was targeted by members of Arya Samaj, who reportedly created disturbance and panic among his banking clientele.

His son, lawyer and writer K. L. Gauba, retaliated against the Chief Justice with a book titled Sir Douglas Young’s Magna Carta, and served a jail sentence in contempt.