No Birds of Passage: A History of Gujarati Muslim Business Communities, 1800-1975

A sweeping account of three Gujarati Muslim trading communities, whose commercial success over nearly two centuries sheds new light on the history of capitalism, Islam, and empire in South Asia. The Bohras, Khojas, and Memons dominated Muslim business in South Asia, and their success was due to their unique form of Muslim capitalism, which entwined economic prerogatives and religious belief. Kinship networks, private property, and religious obligation were essential to their business endeavors, and the Jamaats, the central caste institutions of each community, played an essential role in negotiating their position with British authorities and Indian Muslim nationalists.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 19 September 2023
Publisher: Harvard University Press

A comprehensive exploration of three Gujarati Muslim trading communities, whose remarkable commercial success spanning nearly two centuries unveils profound insights into the history of capitalism, Islam, and empire in South Asia.

During the nineteenth century, three Gujarati Muslim commercial castes emerged as dominant forces in Muslim business across South Asia. Despite constituting less than 1 percent of the Muslim population in the region, these communities are notably overrepresented among the leading Muslim-owned firms today. In his book, No Birds of Passage, Michael OSullivan challenges the prevailing stereotypes that have obscured the understanding of the conditions that facilitated their remarkable success. These stereotypes, embraced by both colonial administrators and Muslim commentators, have portrayed these groups as either estranged from their religious identity or as "Westernized" Muslims who have embraced colonial institutions. However, OSullivan reveals that these communities, long perceived as Hindus in name only, or as "Westernized" Muslims, actually intertwined economic prerogatives and religious belief in a distinctive form of Muslim capitalism.

Through a meticulous examination of entrepreneurial firms from Gujarat to the Hijaz, Hong Kong, Mombasa, Rangoon, and beyond, OSullivan uncovers the crucial role played by kinship networks, private property, and religious obligation in their business endeavors. This paradigm of Muslim capitalism found its highest expression in the jamaats, the central caste institutions of each community, which amalgamated South Asian, Islamicate, and European traditions of corporate life. The jamaats also played a pivotal role in navigating the complex relationships between these groups, British authorities, Indian Muslim nationalists, and the often-sharp divisions within the castes themselves.

OSullivan's account offers a comprehensive perspective on Gujarati Muslim economic life, spanning from the dawn of colonial hegemony in India to the present day. It sheds light on the intricate interplay between religion, commerce, and power, providing a rich tapestry of historical and cultural insights. By challenging the stereotypes and illuminating the unique characteristics of Muslim capitalism, No Birds of Passage contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex and multifaceted history of South Asia.

Weight: 772g
Dimension: 165 x 244 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674271906