Eighteenth-century Gujarat : the dynamics of its political economy,
1750-1800
Nadri, G.A.
Citation
Nadri, G. A. (2007, September 6). Eighteenth-century Gujarat : the dynamics of its political
economy, 1750-1800. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/1887/12306
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CONTENTS
Acknowledgements iii
Abbreviations vii
Glossary viii
List of Tables, Figures and Maps x List of directors and governor-generals of the VOC xi
Notes on weight, money and place-names xii Introduction
The context and the purpose of study 1 Eighteenth century in the historiography of South Asia
Euro-Asian context South Asian context Regional context
Chapter One: State and Political Power
Introduction 11
Mughal rule in Gujarat and the rise of Surat
From the Mughals to the Marathas
English political ascendancy in Gujarat
Local hereditary chiefs
Conclusion
Chapter Two: Market Economy, Labour and Wages
Introduction 25
Textile Industry of Surat
Caste, Labour and inter-professional mobility Weaver, merchants and the English company
Labour market
Carpenters and bricklayers Maritime proletariat: the sailors
Organisation of labour market and methods of recruitment
Wages and remuneration
Local navies and maritime proletariat
Service sector
Conclusion
Chapter Three: Asian Merchants of Gujarat and the Indian Ocean Trade
Introduction
51
Merchant communities: family, diaspora and network Some prominent merchant families of Surat
Petty ship-owners and freighters
Financial intermediation
Commercial intermediation: brokers
Inland traders
Merchants and the eighteenth-century political economy
Conclusion
Chapter Four: Gujarat in Euro-Asian Trade: The Dutch East India Company
Introduction 93
Dutch response to the early eighteenth-century crisis Disposal of imports: the Company and its brokers
Dutch Imports into Gujarat
vi
Spices
Cloves and nutmegs Pepper Copper Sugar
Dutch Exports from Gujarat Methods of procurement: the Company and its leveranciers European competition: growing challenges and the Company’s response
Conclusion
Chapter Five: The Gujarat Economy: Decline or Growth?
Introduction 131
Antecedent Circumstances Mid-century economic recovery Structure of demand and supply Agricultural products: food-grain Commercial crops: indigo and cotton Manufactures: textiles Cotton price Imports and consumption Conclusions Conclusion 157
Appendices 161
Bibliography 181
Samenvatting 189
