Independence Day 2023: How partition-era Mumbaikars established flourishing businesses in India

As India approached its Independence in 1947, countless families faced the difficult choice between India and Pakistan, a decision that also impacted Jayant Dama's family. Hailing from Sindh in undivided India, the memories of partition remain etched in Dama's memory. He recalls, "Before partition, we had a flour mill in Karachi, which my father and his brothers had to sell at a meagre price due to the ongoing migration." Such stories were common as families sacrificed their possessions to find a new home in post-partition India.

Every year on August 15, India commemorates its Independence Day, a joyous occasion marred by the painful reality of mass migrations. Communities from undivided India had to decide whether to settle in India or Pakistan, leading to one of the largest mass migrations in history. In the lead-up to the 76th Independence Day, mid-day.com spoke to individuals like Dama to understand how their post-partition businesses shaped their lives today.

Building new beginnings
Dama's family journeyed extensively before finding a home in Mumbai. Having previously owned a flour mill in Karachi, their entrepreneurial spirit accompanied them to Mumbai. Dama shares, "We initially settled in Navsari and later moved to Mumbai. Initially, we partnered with another Sindhi family. Eventually, my father and his four elder brothers established their own business." His father, Chandromal Dama laid the foundation of their business in Masjid Bunder, Mumbai, where they've flourished ever since.

This story is emblematic of many Sindhi families who ventured into various businesses in India. Dama reveals, "Sindhis entered a variety of businesses, some even took up jobs. Many conducted global trade, while others migrated to countries where they did business. Those in India, like us, embarked on various ventures, including embroidery, fabrics, import-export, wholesale vegetables, fresh fruits, and goldsmithing." Today, Dama stands among Kutchi, Gujarati, and Marwari traders, all renowned for their business acumen, adding to Mumbai's dynamic business landscape.

After many years, the Shivaji Park resident, who is a second-generation businessman in India, took it up a step further and set up his own shop, Shree Chamundeshwari Traders, in the Agricultural Produce & Livestock Market Committee (APMC market) in Vashi. The wholesale and semi-wholesale shop sells dry fruits, masalas and other items for religious rituals like pujas and raw materials for ayurvedic medicines.

Today, Parvinder Singh (in picture) runs the family business with his father Karnail Singh and brother Harmeet Singh. Photo Courtesy: Mini Punjab

Continuing the legacy
When asked about his enduring commitment to the business, Dama replies, "This has been our family's business for decades; it's all I know. When you're in the same business, you persist. Where else would I go?" This business, which played a pivotal role in shaping his post-partition life, also influenced the trajectory of his family members. Dama notes, "Several cousins pursued the same trade abroad. My daughters completed post-graduate studies overseas but chose to return to India to work. The business truly shaped our lives and solidified our post-partition journey."

Just like Dama, Parvinder Singh's family faced similar challenges due to partition. Singh's family was originally from Peshawar and eventually migrated to Mumbai, where they established the iconic restaurant, Mini Punjab, renowned for its delectable North Indian cuisine. After the partition, Singh's grandfather, Bahadur Singh, moved to Delhi and then to Mumbai, where he introduced the famous dish fish koliwada.

He recalls, "After partition, my grandfather Bahadur Singh came to Chheharta Sahib, a town located 7 km west of Amritsar in Punjab in India, on the Grand Trunk Road leading to the Pakistan border. After staying in a relief camp and doing some odd jobs, he finally moved to Delhi. He used to run Victoria for a few years. At that time, Singh's father Karnail Singh was born and brought up in Delhi till the age of 4. Then he moved to Mumbai's Sion Koliwada with senior Singh. That is what they call their home today. "Both my father and grandfather started selling vegetables, that is when they got the idea of starting a business with fritters and invented and introduced the dish fish koliwada to the world." Owing to Mumbai's rich coastal line, the abundance of fish definitely led the Singh family to experiment with fish koliwada. The fish is marinated in spices and fried to perfection.

Singh's father, Karnail Singh, continued the legacy, and today, Parvinder Singh runs the Mini Punjab Group alongside his father and brother. The restaurant chain, with outlets across Mumbai, has become synonymous with the city's culinary landscape. Singh believes that their hard work and determination in building the brand have cemented their place in Mumbai's culinary heritage.

Along with Singh, today the business is run by his brother, Harmeet Singh. "We started with a very small catering division back then. Today, we have taken the business a step ahead and started corporate overseas catering. We've expanded and opened multiple outlets in Mumbai and are planning more operations overseas. Our work has increased twofold. We wish to employ more people and make India globally famous for its traditional yet irresistible food," shares the 39-year-old.

Today, the restaurant outlets are in Sion, Bandra, Powai, Malad, Bhiwandi and Thane. "I do believe the business shaped my family's life post-partition because with limited resources and pure hard work, my parents made the brand and today we are continuing the legacy." The Singh family has come a long way since dealing with the migration during the partition, before which they did odd jobs in Peshawar. Today, they have given the city a reason to smile every time they relish the food served at any of the outlets.