When Jamsetji did not shy away from shutting the 1st biz of Tata Group

Known for the successful ventures he established, Jamsetji Tata, founder of the Tata Group, did not shy away from taking tough calls and making strategic choices to exit from unviable business as shown by the shutting of Tata Shipping Line in the 1890s, according to a new book.

He had started the 'Tata Line', the first ever business of the Tata Group which bore the Tata name, with a view to challenge the monopoly of the English P.&O., the pre-eminent shipping line that carried exports from India during the 1880s and 1890s.

The English P.&O. which had the support of the then British India government, had a virtual monopoly on shipping from India and charged Indian merchants exorbitant freight rates, while providing greater rebates on British and Jewish firms thereby creating an uneven playing field for Indians, according to the book titled 'Jamsetji Tata - Powerful Learnings For Corporate Success'.

"Jamsetji Tata, who was in the textile business at that time, was adversely ...