Independence and Partition, 1947–9

Abstract

At first, Independence and Partition seemed to make little difference to the operation of the managing agencies, even those whose assets were split between India and what became Pakistan and East Pakistan — and finally Bangladesh. But when the full implications of Partition were revealed, particularly in the case of jute, the existing element of uncertainty shrouding the plans and ambitions of the British ‘Merchants of the Raj’ intensified. This was felt by those who returned after the war, or who came out to avoid the austerity of post-war Britain. Meanwhile, those who were to become their Indian successors were beginning to make inroads into the UK-owned businesses, especially because the British houses had clearly passed through their pioneering stage.