August 2006 (Revised October 2020)
Case
HBS Case Collection

Jamnalal Bajaj, Mahatma Gandhi, and the Struggle for Indian Independence

By: Geoffrey Jones, Prabakar 'PK' Kothandaraman and Kerry Herman

Format:Print
| Language:English
| Pages:19

Abstract

Describes the role of a leading Indian business leader in the campaign for independence before 1947 and his close relationship with the legendary Mahatma Gandhi. Provides the opportunity to consider the impact of colonialism on shaping Indian entrepreneurship and the role of the small Marwari group, originally from the Marwar region of Rajasthan, in creating many of India's leading business houses, including the Bajaj. The Bajaj, like other Marwari, were traders who after World War I transitioned into manufacturing, including sugar manufacturing and steel rolling.

Keywords

Entrepreneurship; Government and Politics; Business History; Leadership; Business and Government Relations; Power and Influence; India

Citation

Jones, Geoffrey, Prabakar 'PK' Kothandaraman, and Kerry Herman. "Jamnalal Bajaj, Mahatma Gandhi, and the Struggle for Indian Independence." Harvard Business School Case 807-028, August 2006. (Revised October 2020.)