In 1929, Mohanlal Dayal Chauhan, a tailor-turned-entrepreneur, established a confectionery unit in Vile Parle, a suburb of Mumbai. With a team of 12 workers and German machinery, Chauhan was driven by a strong sense of swadeshi, or self-reliance. He started by producing orange candy, which was soon followed by biscuits in 1939. At the time, biscuits were a luxury item, associated with British culture and affordability only for the elite. Chauhan sought to challenge this narrative by creating an Indian-made biscuit that catered to local tastes and budgets.
The result was ‘Parle Gluco’, a glucose biscuit that was simple, dry, and slightly sweet. It was designed to complement tea, a staple beverage in Indian culture, without the frills or fuss of its British counterparts. Parle Gluco was an instant success, and its popularity soon transcended Indian borders. During World War II, the biscuits were even shipped to the British Army as part of their rations. This irony was not lost on Chauhan, who saw it as a small victory for Indian industry and self-reliance.
The story of Parle Gluco reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of Chauhan and the significance of swadeshi in India’s early years of independence. By creating a product that was uniquely Indian and affordable, Chauhan helped to democratize access to a previously luxury item. The success of Parle Gluco also highlights the potential for Indian businesses to compete with international players, even in the face of colonial legacy and cultural dominance. Today, Parle Gluco remains a beloved brand in India, and its humble origins serve as a testament to the power of innovation and self-reliance in shaping the country’s industrial landscape.