Go to AfricaBib home

Go to AfricaBib home AfricaBib Go to database home

bibliographic database
Line
Previous page New search

The free AfricaBib App for Android is available here

Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Indian Merchants and Dukawallahs in the Natal Economy c.1875-1914
Authors:Padayachee, VishnuISNI
Morrell, RobertISNI
Year:1991
Periodical:Journal of Southern African Studies
Volume:17
Issue:1
Period:March
Pages:71-102
Language:English
Geographic terms:Natal
South Africa
Subjects:Indians
traders
Ethnic and Race Relations
Economics and Trade
History and Exploration
External link:https://www.jstor.org/stable/2637287
Abstract:By 1875 Indians had been present in Natal, South Africa, for fifteen years. At the time there was little indication of the impact they were to have on the region's economy other than in the capacity of labourers. By 1914, however, Indians had established a strong position for themselves in commerce and trading. This paper provides an insight into the economic workings of the Indian traders, and in the main concentrates on their trade, credit and money-lending activities. Covering the period 1875-1914, the paper demonstrates that Indian traders played an important role in extending the colony's commercial network and in the area of informal credit extension and money lending, and reveals that they utilized alternative, informal credit and lending systems, which for some time remained outside and independent of the formal 'Western' banking structures that existed. By doing so, the paper also emphasizes the differences which existed within the Indian community, in the nature of their economic activities, their ties with the global Indian diaspora, the nature and extent of their business relationships with the white commercial community, and the reasons for their successes and their failures. A distinction is made between Indian merchants, a small group of wealthy wholesalers and direct importers, and 'dukawallahs', or small-scale retail traders.
Views
Cover