India's Jute Economy
Kolkata's Jute Mills
How Scottish businessmen from Dundee set up jute mills along the Hooghly river from 1855, making Calcutta the world's jute manufacturing centre.
Jute mills line the Hooghly river near Kolkata.
Origins
The first jute mill was set up at Rishra in 1855, with Scottish links to Dundee, then the world’s jute centre.
Growth
By the early 1900s, Calcutta overtook Dundee as the world’s jute manufacturing hub.
Ownership
Mills were owned by British managing agencies; later Marwari businessmen like the Birlas took over many.
Workers
Mills employed large numbers of migrant workers from Bihar and eastern UP.
Global demand
Jute sacks carried the world’s grain, sugar and coffee.
Towns along the Hooghly grew around jute mills, with workers' lines and markets.
They began in 1855.
- The first mill opened at Rishra in 1855.
- Calcutta overtook Dundee.
- Marwari businessmen later took over.
- Migrant workers staffed the mills.
No recording for this one yet - EconReader can read it aloud for you.