Mangharam Biscuit
J. B. Mangharam & Company was a maker of biscuits in India. It was founded in 1919.[1][2] It was named after three brothers Jeevan Das, Bal Chand and Mangha Ram Pamanani.Their factory in Sakkur also made candy and medicines. During the World War II, they obtained a contract to make special "energy biscuits" for the British Army.[3] After the partition of India, they moved their business to Gwalior in India.
In 1950s they were the largest biscuit producer in Asia and produced several type of biscuits and confectioneries.[4] They were initially famous for their "Energy Food" biscuits made using glucose.[5] They were originally intended for British soldiers, but became popular among children. Later they were also known for the cream wafer biscuits.
The Mangharams were originally from Sukkur Sindh, but had branches in Bombay, Calcutta and Delhi.[6][7] The Gwalior factory was established in 1951. After the death of Mangharam Pamnanni, the company was restructured in 1969 and 1977 and in 1983 became a part of the Britannia Industries Ltd [8] and no longer produces biscuits with the J.B Mangharam label. A branch of the family settled in Hyderabad where they produce chocolate making machinery and supplies.[9]
The Sukkur factory was established in 1937. During the partition of India, the building was declared evacuee property and after partition it was allotted to Muhammad Yakoob and was renamed Yacoob Biscuit Factory.[10][11]
It was once considered of the top few Sindhi owned companies along with Kaycee's Blue Star, Motwaney's Chicago Radio. The Mangharam family arrived in Gwalior sometime in 1940s. They negotiated special tax concessions with the then Madhya Bharat government.[12] As a result of their support a large number of Sindhis came and settled in Gwalior after the partition.[13]
The brightly colored tins of J.B. Mangharam biscuits and sweets produced in 1950s and 1960s, featuring pictures from Indian tradition (Shakuntala and Bharat, Mira Bai, baby Krishna, Krishna with flute) and selected cities (Mumbai VT, Kolkata Howra Bridge, Amritsar Golden temple) are now regarded as collectibles.
See also
[edit]- Parle-G Parle Glucose biscuits
References
[edit]- ^ "A Raja's collection". The Hindu. 2009-01-01. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
- ^ True spirit of the Hyderabadi woman, March 7, 2011 By Mohammad Ali Baig, "Razia Baig, daughter-in-law of Mirza Mehmood Ali Baig, a descendant of the Mughals, close confidant of the Prince of Berar and a legendary polo player, recalls with some relish the tradition of “high-tea” — a British legacy adopted by Hyderabadi culture: “The noble gentry and women folk used to gather in the evenings to exchange notes and sometimes even share gossip, after chukkers of polo or rough-riding, over a spread of luqmees, tootaks, kababs, canapes and kaddu ke lauz with tea-cakes and the then famous Mangharam biscuits.”
- ^ The British Indian biscuit maker, Shahid Ali, Bol News, 17th Jul, 2022
- ^ The Journal of Industry & Trade, Volume 4, India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India., 1954, p.1200
- ^ [Biscuits for Bakers: Easy to Make and Profitable to Sell, Frederick T. Vine, Hampton, 1896, p. 6]
- ^ The story of how Hindus stopped distrusting biscuits and began eating them, Priyadarshini Chatterjee, Scroll.in, Sep 05, 2023
- ^ https://www.bolnews.com/newspaper/urban-insight/2022/07/the-british-indian-biscuit-maker/
- ^ Company Overview of J B Mangharam Foods Private Limited
- ^ Hyderabad Trade Directory, 1963,Page 118
- ^ [rohri.net The Yakoob Biscuit Factory]
- ^ The Constituent Assembly (Legislature) of Pakistan Debate, 1952, p. 495
- ^ [Bombay High Court Judgement, Income Tax Officer, Special madhya Pradesh Government vs J. B. Mangharam And Co. And Others. on 28 April 1964 vs J. B. Mangharam And Co. And Others. on 28 April 1964]
- ^ Provincial Hinduism: Religion and Community in Gwalior City, Daniel Gold, Oxford University Press, 2015 p. 136