Business Description
Rajputana, now known as Rajasthan, is regarded as the precursor of Indian culture, having earned exceptional status worldwide for the spirit of chivalry, valour, loyalty and endurance that its people epitomised. Its minstrels have sung paeans of heroism, and even today poets pay effusive tributes to its many legendary warriors.
Baptism of fire
Despite inclement weather and adverse natural conditions, the harsh region could not breed despair among its people. Though living among babul trees, thorny shrubs and burning sands was no easy task, they refused to be daunted by nature’s lack of hospitality. On the contrary, they accepted it as a challenge. Nature taught them to follow its rhythm—dust storms and famines inspired them to tolerate pain and suffering, lack of resources taught them frugality and motivated them to work assiduously, and their hard work and indomitable spirit made the place habitable. Had they not learnt these lessons, the warriors whose daring spirit has inspired endearing folklore through the generations wouldn’t be and their descendents wouldn’t venture out to make economic conquests with such amazing success as they have.
The Marwaris—an outstanding product of this intractable, barren land—were compelled by natural calamities and deteriorating geographical, social and economic conditions to migrate from their homeland—Rajputana, Haryana, Malwa and its adjoining regions—to other parts of the country. They have since made a monumental contribution to the industrial development of the country through their indomitable will and indefatigable spirit. Essentially, ‘Marwari’ is not a caste, but the indicator of a particular socio-cultural, micro unit of the deeply layered and interestingly textured Indian society. In olden times, Marwaris took charge of administration of states on many occasions, fought battles to defend their lands and kingdoms and were feared as formidable commanders of armies. Many rulers appointed them as their ministers, advisors, and diwans and gave them due respect and recognition for their services. The treasuries of several rulers were under the sole charge of the Marwaris, who helped them financially from time to time. Their hundi system—a bill of exchange or promissory note used in trade and credit transactions— was respected not only in the country but also beyond. And such was their wealth and financial clout that they often became indispensable to the rulers of the time. The Jagat Seths of Bengal, for example, are said to have exercised tremendous influence on the politics and trade of Bengal—attributable to their hundi network which was even more extensive than the Reserve Bank of India today.
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