Paper short abstract:

This historical and sociological study of a business community-Aggarwal in Delhi shows their concerted efforts at urban reproduction and identity formation post the 1940s through a variety of sources in the city of Delhi.

Paper long abstract:

Traditional business communities like the Jewish lobby in America with their established networks of credit occupy influential positions in the society. In India most of the successful business houses hail from particular castes that are strongly intra-related. Business communities pride themselves in their capacity to travel and adapt to different cultures. An important aspect of this adaptation is to remake one's communitarian identity by entwining one's capital in the day to day management of the city and state affairs.

This historical and sociological study of one such business community-Aggarwals in Delhi shows their concerted efforts at community unification, assertion and history writing/inventing as they urbanize post the 1940s. The sources used in this study are interviews with members of the Aggarwal caste associations, politicians, philanthropists speeches made at contemporary Aggarwal events in Delhi and analysis of Hindi Aggarwal journal (Yuva Aggarwal) over the last two decades.

The Aggarwals project themselves as the rightful sons of the Indian nation, who should be at the helm of state affairs. Their claim to prominence hinges not just on their economic might but couching it within the 'moral' of being patrons of the entire nation that allows them to seamless stitch Aggarwal Capital-Hinduism-Indian nation. Hence, contribution to the independence movement (Mahatma Gandhi, Lala Lajpat Rai), defense of Hinduism (cow protection movement, Ramleelas in Delhi), philanthropic acts (schools and temples), and endogamous marriages (public matrimony events called Parichay Sammelans) play a critical role in processes of urban reproduction and identity formation.