Emergence of the small-scale iron foundry industry in Howrah (India), 1833–1913

This article explores the emergence of small-scale iron foundries in the Howrah district of India. Based on the empirical findings the article contributes to the debate on indigenous entrepreneurship in colonial India. It shows that indigenous entrepreneurs were critical in the emergence of small-scale iron foundries in Howrah. Thus, it refutes the cultural constraint argument that Indians did not participate significantly in the industrial development during the colonial period. The slow growth of the foundry industry during the early half of the period of this study shows that it was colonial constraints that hindered the industrial development of colonial India. The article further shows that small-scale industries in colonial India emerged in relationship to the large-scale industries. At a more general level, the article points to important dynamics of industry emergence such as backward linkages, spin-off, and inter-firm linkages. The article further supports the classical argument regarding protection to emerging industries.