A tradition of business, enterprise and resourcefulness.
An anecdote from Delhi’s history that I came across recently illustrates the tradition of business acumen, enterprise and resourcefulness in India and especially Delhi. It’s a story of Lala Chunnamal, a successful businessman during the 19th century.
Lala Chunnamal was a prominent merchant and industrialist who lived in Delhi during the British colonial era. He came from a humble background and started his career as a cloth merchant. Through hard work, determination, and shrewd business acumen, he expanded his business empire to include various industries, including textiles, banking, and real estate.
His most significant achievement came during the construction of New Delhi, the new capital of British India. When the British government decided to shift the capital from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911, they needed to develop an entirely new city. Lala Chunnamal saw this as an opportunity and purchased vast tracts of land in the area that was to become New Delhi.
As the city’s development began, Lala Chunnamal strategically sold some of the land parcels to the British government for substantial profits. Simultaneously, he invested in building numerous bungalows and commercial buildings that catered to the growing population and government officials.
His entrepreneurial spirit and vision led him to become one of the wealthiest and most influential businessmen in Delhi. He was also known for his philanthropic efforts, supporting various charitable causes and educational institutions in the region.
Lala Chunnamal’s success story exemplifies the tradition of business acumen, enterprise and resourcefulness in Delhi’s history, where individuals with determination, business acumen, and an eye for opportunities could rise from modest beginnings to achieve remarkable success and contribute significantly to the city’s growth and development.
ANECDOTE FROM DELHI’S HISTORY
