From Swadeshi to Steel: How Parsi-Owned Brands Built India’s Business Backbone

As Navroz ushers in a season of renewal for the Parsi community, it’s also the perfect time to reflect on another kind of legacy — one built not in kitchens or fire temples, but in factories, shops, and boardrooms. For over a century, Parsi entrepreneurs have been at the heart of India’s economic transformation, their businesses embodying both innovation and integrity. Long before independence, they were setting up industries, modernising trade, and creating trusted homegrown brands. And when the Swadeshi movement called for Indian-made goods, many Parsi-owned enterprises were already answering that call, proving that quality and self-reliance could go hand in hand.

The Parsi Business Legacy

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, India’s economic landscape was dominated by the British, who controlled major sectors such as shipping, textiles, manufacturing, and banking through their colonial trading networks. Indian entrepreneurship existed but was often restricted by discriminatory trade laws, high tariffs on locally made goods, and the political dominance of foreign capital. Against this backdrop, the Parsi community emerged as one of the most dynamic forces in reshaping the business landscape. 

By the late 1800s, Parsi entrepreneurs were pioneering in sectors the British themselves dominated — setting up textile mills, founding India’s first steel plant, introducing modern shipping fleets, and later branching into food, beverages, and infrastructure. As the Indian independence movement gathered momentum in the early 20th century, the call for “Swadeshi” goods — products made in India by Indian companies — found a natural ally in these Parsi-owned brands. Their ventures offered quality Indian alternatives to British imports, subtly undermining colonial economic dominance.

From consumer goods like dairy and beverages to large-scale infrastructure and manufacturing, these companies embodied the idea that Indian industry could be both self-reliant and world-class. By the time India gained independence in 1947, the Parsi-led business sector had not only contributed significantly to GDP growth and job creation but had also helped shift economic power away from foreign monopolies into Indian hands — laying a foundation for the nation’s post-independence industrial expansion. Here are a few Parsi-led brands that made it possible. 

1. Pallonji’s Soda

For many in Mumbai, Pallonji’s Soda isn’t just a drink — it’s nostalgia in a bottle. Founded in 1865 by Pallonji’s & Co., the bright pink soda, famously flavoured with rose essence, became an instant favourite among Irani cafés and Parsi households. In the decades leading up to independence, when imported fizzy drinks were a luxury, Pallonji’s offered an affordable, distinctly Indian refreshment that matched the colonial brands in taste and style. It wasn’t just a beverage; it was part of the city’s social culture — shared over bun maska, berry pulao, and lively conversations. 

2. Dinshaw’s

Starting in the 1930s in Nagpur, Dinshaw’s began as a small dairy business run by Dinshaw and Erachshaw Rana. At a time when refrigeration was rare and supply chains were fragile, Dinshaw’s invested in technology to ensure quality and freshness. As India edged toward independence, this wasn’t just about ice cream — it was about creating a modern, efficient food processing industry that reduced reliance on imported products. Over the decades, Dinshaw’s became a household name, and its commitment to quality reflected the Parsi belief that Indian-made products could match international standards.

3. Parsi Dairy Farm

Founded in 1916 by Nariman Ardeshir, Parsi Dairy Farm in Mumbai became more than just a dairy — it was an institution. In an era when packaged, branded milk was almost unheard of, it introduced Mumbai to the concept of pure, trusted dairy products. This wasn’t just good business; it directly addressed urban India’s need for reliable nutrition at a time when public health was a growing concern. The company’s meticulous quality control and iconic blue-and-white branding set it apart, making it a symbol of trust in a rapidly changing marketplace.

4. Dukes

In the early 20th century, when soft drinks were dominated by British and American companies, Dukes brought a refreshing twist of local ingenuity. Founded in 1889 by Dinshawji Pandole in Mumbai, the brand became a pioneer in Indian carbonated beverages. Flavours like Mangola and lemonade were instant hits, offering a “Swadeshi” alternative to imported sodas. Dukes wasn’t just competing with foreign brands; it was redefining the Indian palate and proving that local companies could innovate and create products with mass appeal.

5. Tata Group

No discussion of Parsi entrepreneurship is complete without the Tata Group. From Jamsetji Tata’s establishment of Empress Mills in 1877 to the founding of Tata Steel in 1907, the group’s ventures were both daring and visionary. Building India’s first steel plant in Jamshedpur was more than an industrial milestone — it was a political statement that India could produce its raw materials and manufacture goods at scale. During the independence era, Tata companies became symbols of industrial self-reliance, spanning steel, hospitality, power, and later, automobiles. Their philanthropic initiatives, from the Indian Institute of Science to Tata Memorial Hospital, showcased the Parsi ideal of wealth serving a larger national purpose.

6. Bharat Tiles

Established in 1922 by the Parsi entrepreneur Pherozeshah Sidhwa, Bharat Tiles brought artisanal craftsmanship into the industrial age. Its patterned cement tiles became a staple in public buildings, offices, and homes during the pre- and post-independence years. At a time when decorative flooring was often imported, Bharat Tiles offered beautifully designed, durable Indian-made products, aligning perfectly with the Swadeshi movement’s vision. Many heritage buildings from the 1930s and 40s still feature Bharat Tiles, a testament to their enduring quality and design.