Swadeshi Enterprise in Bengal, 1880-1920

Contents: Foreword. Preface. 1. Textiles: i. Weaving. ii. Hosiery. iii. Cotton mills. 2. Chemicals and pharmaceuticals: i. Ayurvedic works. ii. Allopathic works. iii. Perfumery. iv. Ink, boot polish and cream. v. Soap. 3. Leather works. 4. Shipping. 5. Tobacco.

"This is the first-ever inventory and enquiry into Swadeshi enterprise in Bengal exhaustively done in all fields such as textiles, drugs and chemicals, leather, shipping, tobacco, pottery, iron foundry, match, stationary, banking, insurance etc. An important addition is a case study of P.M. Bagchi and Co. An analysis of the policy of the colonial government forms an important chapter. Problems of capital formation, investment, technical know-how are discussed in detail. This work argues with a wealth of information that it is the aspect of self-reliance and contradiction with British imperialist capital, rather than dependence on and collaboration with it that constituted the principal aspect in the process of the development of the small and middle Swadeshi bourgeoisie. This section of the Indian bourgeoisie, though economically weak, represented national aspirations and sought to attain economic development free from foreign control. It is a major reference work on a neglected, yet crucial period of economic transition in Bengal." (jacket)