The Tatas: How a Family Built a Business and a Nation

| WINNER OF THE GAJA CAPITAL BUSINESS BOOK PRIZE 2019 | The nineteenth century was an exciting time of initiative and enterprise around the world. If John D. Rockefeller was creating unimagined wealth in the United States that he would put to the service of the nation, a Parsi family with humble roots was doing the same in India. In 1822, a boy was born in a priestly household in Gujarat's Navsari village. Young Nusserwanji knew early on that his destiny lay beyond his village and decided to head for Bombay to start a business - the first in his family to do so. He had neither higher education nor knowledge of business matters, just a burning passion to carve a path of his own. What Nusserwanji started as a cotton trading venture, his son Jamsetji, born in the same year as Rockefeller, grew into a multifaceted business, turning around sick textile mills, setting up an iron and steel company, envisioning a cutting-edge institute of higher learning, building a world-class hotel, and earning himself the title of the 'Bhishma Pitamah of Indian Industry'. Stewarded ably over the decades by Jamsetji's sons Dorabji and Ratanji, the charismatic and larger-than-life JRD, and thereafter the more business-like Ratan, the Tata group today is a 110-billion-dollar empire. The Tatas is their story. But it is more than just a history of the industrial house; it is an inspiring account of India in the making. It chronicles how each generation of the family invested not only in the expansion of its own business interests but also in nation building. Few know, for instance, that the first hydel power project in the world was conceived of and built by the Tatas. Nor that some radical labour concepts such as eight-hour work shifts were born in India, at the Tata mill in Nagpur. The Tata Cancer Research Centre, the Indian Institute of Science, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, as also the national carrier Air India - the family has a long, rich and unrivalled legacy. The Tatas is a tribute to a line of visionaries who have a special place in the hearts and minds of ordinary Indians. Written by seasoned journalist Girish Kuber, this is also the only book that tells the complete Tata story spanning almost two hundred years.

About the Author :
Vikrant Pande has translated twelve Marathi bestsellers into English. His translation of Girish Kuber's book Tatayan (The Tatas: How a Family Built a Business and a Nation) won the prestigious Gaja Capital Best Business Book Award in 2019. His book on the history of the State Bank of India, The SBI Story: Two Centuries of Banking (2021), has been received well. His book, co-authored with Neelesh Kulkarni, In the Footsteps of Rama: Travels with the Ramayana, is a bestseller and has received excellent reviews. He has translated and written original pieces for Storytel, an audio book company. Pande is a graduate of IIM Bangalore, and a full-time writer now. Girish Kuber is the editor of the Marathi daily Loksatta of the Indian Express Group. He is the author of The Tatas: How a Family Built a Business and a Nation. His forthcoming book is Maha Rashtra: The Making of a Renaissance State. He has written six books in Marathi and lives in Mumbai. Vikrant Pande has translated twelve Marathi bestsellers into English. His translation of Girish Kuber's book Tatayan (The Tatas: How a Family Built a Business and a Nation) won the prestigious Gaja Capital Best Business Book Award in 2019. His book on the history of the State Bank of India, The SBI Story: Two Centuries of Banking (2021), has been received well. His book, co-authored with Neelesh Kulkarni, In the Footsteps of Rama: Travels with the Ramayana, is a bestseller and has received excellent reviews. He has translated and written original pieces for Storytel, an audio book company. Pande is a graduate of IIM Bangalore, and a full-time writer now.

Review :
‘This is an epic story spanning 200 years of family, company and national history. This book is a must-read. It’s so well researched and written. The Tata story itself is obviously quite remarkable—a family whose ups and downs are mirrored in the development of India itself. The book covers a vast sweep of history in a fast-paced style that makes it hard to put down. I read it in one sitting—an amazing story! This iconic family dynasty needs to be appreciated globally and I’m delighted that this is the book that is going to do that.’ —Michael Queen, global investment professional and member of the Gaja Capital Business Book Prize jury ‘Kuber’s breezy treatment is warm and often winning ... when he attends to detail, the result is wonderful.’ —Maxwell Carter, The Wall Street Journal ‘Girish Kuber’s strength is his flair for narrating vast, sweeping histories in an easy, engaging style. He has brought the same approach to the story of the illustrious Tata family too—and has further interwoven it with the story of nation building. An inspiring read that I highly recommend to those interested in stories about Indian business and entrepreneurship, India in the making and the Tata family’s role in it in particular.’ —Vijay Kelkar, economist, former Union finance secretary and co-author of In Service of the Republic: The Art and Science of Economic Policy ‘Two hundred years of the glorious history of the Tatas rivetingly captured in just 250 pages. This captivating story of the human side of our most trusted and respected industry house, which helped in nation building by creating incomparable social wealth, will inspire generations to come. A must read.’ —Raghunath Mashelkar, former President of the Indian National Science Academy ‘Girish Kuber’s book hand-holds the readers through the two-centurylong heritage of this business house and its leaders from the illustrious family, their vision and forward thinking that not only made their business interests flourish, but also played an important role in the building of new India ... Presenting the history of a business house can be a dry and tedious process, but by adding anecdotes that highlight the human qualities of the business honchos and weaving in historical events of the day, Girish keeps the reader riveted to his narrative. Vikrant Pande as translator, too, has done a good job of keeping the essence of the original intact. This book is like a ready reckoner of the growth of one of the biggest business groups in the world as well as a chronicle of the evolution and growth of modern India. It is motivating for budding entrepreneurs and especially for a generation that is more familiar with the succession wars in the group and those who are dazzled by the blinding glitter of brands and events hosted by the new face of Indian business.’ —Geetu Vaid, The Tribune ‘Capturing the contribution of each leader of the Tata group is a tough task. Girish has done this job remarkably well, with his fluency in writing, warmth in language, and passion and love for the house of Tatas.’ —Y.M. Deosthali, former Chairman, L&T Finance Holding ‘Shows the human side and the large-heartedness of the Tatas. Many will find this book motivating.’ —Devendra Fadnavis, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra ‘Girish Kuber’s book on the Tatas has made publishing history in Marathi. This English edition will take the story to the whole world.’ —Prithviraj Chavan, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra ‘Not only chronicles the expansion of the Tata group but also the story of India’s industrial and economic transformation. A must-read for every Indian.’ —Sharad Pawar, President, Nationalist Congress Party ‘This is one of the few books that offer the complete and up-to-date Tata story. Girish Kuber’s easy-flowing writing style makes it extremely interesting.’ —Nitin Gadkari, Union minister ‘Reveals the enigma behind the Tata group … an inspiration to all the entrepreneurs of our country.’ —Raj Thackeray, President, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena