Business beyond Empire: German Multinationals in Pre- and Post-Independence India (1890s–1960s). Issue 3 (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lubinski, Christina
• Is Part Of: South Asia. Volume 41:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 621
• Page End: 641
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: Cold War -- Germany -- imperialism -- legitimisation -- multinationals -- nationalism -- political economy -- Swadeshi; South Asia -- Periodicals; South Asia -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 954.005
• DOI: 10.1080/00856401.2018.1477438
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0085-6401

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The activities of multinationals in India have so far been described as a British–Indian story. However, the British Empire was never an impenetrable economic area, but, rather, a contact zone for firms of many different origins. This article diversifies the historiography of Indian business history by tracing the commercial interactions between Germany and India from the 1890s to the 1960s as one example of non-British multinationals. It shows continuities in actors, debates and strategies and across major political turning points. In particular, it highlights the alignment of aspirations between Germans and nationalistic Indians as a coalition against British dominance.