India's New Capitalists : Caste, Business, and Industry in a Modern Nation

In order to do business effectively in contemporary South Asia, it is necessary to understand the culture, the ethos, and the region's new trading communities. In tracing the modern-day evolution of business communities in India, this book uses social history to systematically document and understand India's new entrepreneurial groups. Business in India was traditionally the preserve of certain 1Bania2 communities clubbed under the Vaishya order of the classical Hindu four-order social hierarchy. The term 1Bania2 even acquired a generic connotation referring to any village moneylender, grocer, wholesaler or large factory owner. But more recently, the picture has changed with the entry of businessmen from castes with predominantly scribal/administrative background (Brahimins, Khatris, Kayasthas) or with roots in farming and allied activities (Kammas, Patidars, Gounders, Nadars, etc). India's New Capitalists traces the modern-day evolution of business communities in India and captures the rise of new entrepreneurial groups with no established pedigree of trading of banking. The book also contains 15 individual case studies that embellish the general findings Front Matter....Pages i-xxii Introduction....Pages 1-7 The Old Merchant Communities....Pages 8-47 Brahmins, Khatris, and Babus....Pages 48-91 Kammas, Reddys, and Rajus....Pages 92-137 Kongunad Naidus and Gounders....Pages 138-174 Nadars and Ezhavas....Pages 175-215 Patidars and Marathas....Pages 216-258 The Paradox of Northern Farming Communities....Pages 259-296 A Note on the Minorities....Pages 297-310 Conclusion....Pages 311-318 Back Matter....Pages 319-341 "India's New Capitalists traces the modern-day evolution of business communities in India and captures the rise of new entrepreneurial groups with no established pedigree of trading or banking. The book also contains 15 individual case studies that embellish the general findings."--Jacket