A Business History of India

Studying firms and entrepreneurs over three centuries, this book unravels the historical roots of the impressive business growth witnessed in contemporary India.

In recent decades, private investment has led to a resurgence of capitalism in India. The nation has experienced other episodes of business growth in the past, which, Roy argues, share similarities to today. On each occasion of growth, connections with the global economy helped firms and entrepreneurs better manage risks.In recent decades, private investment has led to an economic resurgence in India. But this is not the first time the region has witnessed impressive business growth. There have been many similar stories over the past 300 years. India's economic history shows that capital was relatively expensive. How, then, did capitalism flourish in the region? How did companies and entrepreneurs deal with the shortage of key resources? Has there been a common pattern in responses to these issues over the centuries? Through detailed case studies of firms, entrepreneurs, and business commodities, Tirthankar Roy answers these questions. Roy bridges the approaches of business and economic history, illustrating the development of a distinctive regional capitalism. On each occasion of growth, connections with the global economy helped firms and entrepreneurs better manage risks. Making these deep connections between India's economic past and present shows why history matters in its remaking of capitalism today.