The Dynamics of a Tradition

India has a rich tradition of historical research, but for various reasons entrepreneurial history has received less attention than it deserves. Consequently, the empirical base of understanding managerial dynamics in India as it has evolved from the past is not very strong. The present volume is an effort to understand, both historically and in contemporary terms, the growth of one of the leading business groups in India.

Kasturbhai Lalbhai's family traces its ancestry to Shantidas Zaveri, a leading businessman of Ahmedabad in the seventeenth century. The family has remained at the forefront of Indian business ever since. With seven textile mills, a starch company, and one of the largest and most sophisticated chemicals and pharmaceutical complexes in the country, Kasturbhai's group occupies a significant position in our industrial life today.

The present position of this group is mainly due to the leadership of Kasturbhai Lalbhai (1894-1980) himself, who presided over its growth and expansion for well over six decades. He was not only a towering figure in the Indian business world, but also a great champion of social, educational, and cultural causes. His business success and demonstrated concern for society won for him a place of honor in contemporary India.

Having traced the history of Kasturbhai's family, Prof. Tripathi deals with the growth of the industrial enterprises of the group and their social impact. This brings into limelight not only a comprehensive account of the business career of one of the country's foremost businessmen, but also reveals the managerial dynamics at play in his concerns. This work, thus, is of interest to the scholar and general reader alike.