The Original Gujarat

The history of Gujarat stretches much beyond and much before Modi, and it was not always based on Muslim-bashing and hard Hindutva

Khalid Akhter Delhi

Chief Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Gujarat's dazzling economic success in his election campaign and then quickly switched on to time-tested xenophobic hardline — defending Sohrabuddin's fake encounter as a metaphor for Muslims and communal polarisation. His loyalists in Ahmedabad and Delhi, including in the media, have eulogised him as the 'development role model'. "Gujarat has risen as a strategic economic power to India's advantage with strong fundamentals of international economic benchmarks," Modi said in a news conference. Modi is being given the credit for a 'booming Gujarat'.

True, Gujarat has a highly successful economy. According to a recent study by the Reserve Bank of India, Gujarat stood first in the country with investments of $17.8 billion in 2006-07 or 25.8 per cent of India's total investment of $69 billion during the year. Its per capita GDP is 2.4 times the Indian average. It is India's most industrialised state and accounts for 20 per cent of the country's industrial output, 25 per cent of textile production, 40 per cent of pharmaceutical production and 47 per cent of petrochemical production. The state accounts for 21 per cent of India's exports. Impressive figures indeed!

However, there is madness in glorifying Modi for every good thing happening in Gujarat. Modi is credited even for the good rains in the last few years (what about the man-made devastating floods?), for the sensex zooming up, booming agricultural income (what about farmer suicides?), real estate boom and middle class millionaires (what about the urban poor and the slums?). A BJP worker claims in a typical Gujarati manner, "Modi shuknaiyal che”. (Modi's rule is auspicious.)"

There is an uncanny element of truth in this glorification of one man's megalomania. The history of Gujarat stretches much beyond and much before Modi, and it was not always based on Muslim-bashing and hard Hindutva, nor were human carnages celebrated with such gusto as in the contemporary era. Hence, to give credit to a single individual for this longstanding economic growth would be discrediting the vibrant and resilient Gujarati community, which has had a long history of being successful traders both inland and overseas since antiquity.

Historically, Lothal and Dholavira were great architecturally planned and flourishing societies and important trade centres during the Harappan civilisation 5000 years ago. Lothal's dock - one of the world's oldest — connected the city to an ancient course of the Sabarmati river on the trade route between the Harappan cities in Sindh and the peninsula of Saurashtra. It was a vital and thriving trade centre in ancient times, with its products reaching the far corners of West Asia and Africa.

In ancient and medieval times, Gujarat had 52 active ports of which Bharuch, Khambhat and Surat were the busiest. From the 11th to the 17th century, Bharuch was at the height of its glory. In the 15th century, as many as 4,000 ships passed through Bharuch. Next to Bharuch, Khambhat was a prominent port during this period.

In the 17th century, Surat surpassed both Bharauch and Khambaat. Throughout the second half of the 17th century, it served as an emporium of trade, both inland and sea-borne, and was the chief port of the Mughal empire. Commenting on its economic importance and strategic geographic situation, Dutch historian H Terpstra says, “No wonder, if one thought of the magnificent central position of Surat — westwards were the Persian Gulf and Red Sea for navigation; north eastwards, one could quickly reach by land the fertile Ganges plain, which stretched eastwards to the rich land of Bengal.”

Surat had its religious significance as well. Pilgrims went to Mecca for Haj from Surat. Hence, Surat was known as Meccaidwar, Meccabari, Babul Mecca.

The 17th century was an era of prosperity for Surat. Two main sources contributing to its wealth were foreign commerce and domestic manufacture. Traders from all over the world came to Surat. Muslim, Arab, Turkish, Iranian, Jewish, Dutch, Portuguese and English traders had settled in Surat. In addition, there were immigrants and exiles, who were assimilated in the state. The most striking example is that of the Parsis who made Surat their home in the 11th century.

There were also Muslim traders, such as Virji Vora, Mulla Mahammad Ali and Ahmed Chameli. The English had dealings with Virji Vohra since 1619 and he was the East India Company's largest creditor. Haji Zahid Beg and Haji Kasim were other rich Muslim merchants whose property was plundered by Shivaji during his attack on Surat in 1664.

Gujaratis played an important role in the economy of India even after the establishment of British rule. In the 19th century, it was the people of Gujarat, especially the Parsis, who developed Bombay as a port, which, till recently, accounted for 40 per cent of India's marine trade. Again, it was a Gujarati family that established the first Indian shipping company in Bombay in 1919: the Scindia Steam Navigation Company. In the early 20th century, the Bania community established 66 textile mills in Ahmedabad, making it 'the Manchester of India'.

Box 1 : Southern shores of the Chettiars

The Chettiars (also Chetty, Chetti, Setty, Chitty, Shetty and Shettigar) is a title commonly used by people of south Indian origin in India and abroad. It is usually derived from trading social groups. Nattukottai Chettiars are people of Indian origin, well known for their financial dealings and hospitality. They are Hindus and worship the Shiva and Muruga deities of the Hindu faith. Many of the Nattukotai Chettiars proclaim the fact that they are fervent Shaivites by wearing a rudraksham fruit usually set in gold around their necks. Of late, wealthy Chettiars have spent large sums upon several of the famous Shaivite shrines, notably at Chidambram, Madura and Tiruvannamalai.

 The Nattukotai Chettiars hail from a place called Chettinad in south India, an area situated in the southeastern region of Tamil Nadu. Originally, Chettinad was the name given to a group of 96 villages situated in the Devakottah revenue division of Ramnad district and the Pudukottah revenue division of Tiruchirapallai district. Edgar Thurstan, in his voluminous work, Castes and Tribes of Southern India, has compiled a vivid and interesting account of Nattukotai Chettiars.

Chettiars belong to a prolific business community which moved out of India to foreign lands like Burma, Ceylon, Java, Sumatra, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam (Saigon) and spread their culture in those lands. They travelled to these countries for the sole purpose of making money. They did a considerable amount of business in trade and money-lending in these countries. Nattukottai Chettiars are basically 'bankers' who lend money at nominal interest. They are considered as the pioneers of modern banking. They are the first to introduce what is called pattru (debit), varavu (credit), selavu (expenditure), laabam (profit), nashtam (loss) — which are all, collectively, known as ivnthogai (trial balance).

Chettiars are noted for their gifts to temples and public charities and have generously contributed to the restoration of famous temples in south India, especially at Madurai. In all important towns of those countries outside India where the Chettiars have settled permanently or for business purposes, they have established their own temples and charitable organisations. The members of the community contribute annually a certain percentage of their profits or the capital invested, for the maintenance of their temples and institutions. They have also spent large sums of money in establishing centers of religious learning, poor houses, hospitals, schools and colleges in India. Because of their wealth and money-lending, Edgar Thurstan writing in 1909 has called them the 'Jews of south India'. 

KA

Box 2: Sectors to watch out for in 2008

The Indian economy is ready to take a huge leap. More people are investing in various sectors. People are ready to take risks and explore new areas and sectors. Sectors like real estate, infrastructure, healthcare, energy renewal have contributed greatly to this facelift. Riches await those involve in these sectors

Real Estate

The real estate sector has witnessed enormous growth. There are many factors for this. With increasing growth in other sectors like retail, finance, IT, BPO and telecom, there is a boom in real estate too. As the economy curve is rising high, this sector is deriving all the advantage from it. The right environment and liberal and transparent government policies have encouraged both domestic and foreign companies to invest. Moreover, selling and buying land in the current scenario is one of the most profitable and flourishing businesses in India. Add to this a huge demand for property, increasing price value and interest of investors, and it's big boom time for this business.

Telecom 

Telecom has emerged as a very powerful industry. Back in 1980s, this sector was owned and managed by the government. With the revolution in telecom industry worldwide, policy reforms and introduction of this industry to private players, the industry witnessed a major transformation. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) and Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) were formed as a result. Today, the Indian telecom industry is the fourth largest in Asia and eighth largest in the world. There are various policies under which the remotest areas are covered effectively.

Introduction to the cellular world has opened new doors. India has cheap call rates, fast growth of subscribers and availability of cheap handsets. The ministry of telecom is planning yet another New Year gift - a review of tariffs will be considered in order to cut down the cost of text messages, local calls and provide relief in roaming charges. 

Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceuticals is another sector that saw significant growth in recent years. The low cost of production, strong technology, world-class educational institutes, a growing economy and increasing purchasing power are major factors that have contributed to the growth of this industry. Manufacturers have the liberty of producing any drug approved by the Drug Control Authority.

Finance

The financial sector is witnessing rapid transformation, the results of which can be seen in the stock market. The increasing interest of domestic and foreign investors has fuelled economic growth. Banking, insurance, mutual funds and off-shore funds have launched many policies and services meeting customers' requirements. Big Industrial giants have also set their foot on equity funds and other financial services.

Windmill

Wind energy has emerged as a successful source of alternative energy in the renewal energy sector. There has been enormous growth in this industry in the past few years and is counted as one of the fastest growing sectors. India stands fourth in the world in wind energy and plays a crucial part in global wind energy industry. The wind energy sector in India has a capacity of 7660.2 MW approximately. However, the estimated utilisation of wind energy for power generation is that of 65,000 MW.

With energy crisis and increasing threat to environment, many countries have shown inclination in this field. Windmill has become a first choice for energy generation as it is clean, renewable and inexhaustible.

Hardnews Bureau