Archive · 11 Nov 2025
Eight of India's Oldest Companies Still Operating Today
Imagine some of the oldest businesses in India are like really old trees that are still growing!
This story talks about eight of them that started more than 100 years ago and are still around today.
EID Parry started way back in 1839 and now sells sweet things.
Teesta Valley Tea Company, started in 1841, grows and sells yummy teas from Darjeeling.
Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation, from 1863, does many things like growing tea and making car parts.
Amluckie Investment Company, from 1876, started as a tea company but now trades stocks.
Kamarhatty Company, started in 1877, makes bags and other things from jute.
Bombay Dyeing, started in 1879, began with cotton threads and is now a big name.
Shalimar Paints, the first paint company in Southeast Asia from 1902, has painted famous buildings.
Lastly, Alembic Pharmaceuticals, from 1907, makes medicines.
These companies show us how businesses in India have grown over a long time.
EID Parry, established in 1839, operates in sweeteners and health supplements and is part-owned by the Murugappa Group.
Teesta Valley Tea Company Limited, founded in 1841, is a leading cultivator and exporter of Indian teas.
Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation, Limited, established in 1863, has diversified operations including tea, coffee, and automotive parts.
Amluckie Investment Company, dating back to 1876, specializes in equity trading and non-banking financial services, originating as a tea company.
Kamarhatty Company Limited, founded in 1877, operates historic jute factories in Kolkata, producing daily output of 225 tonnes of jute.
Bombay Dyeing Company, founded in 1879 by Nowrosjee Wadia, has evolved from producing cotton threads to being a respected textile label.
Shalimar Paints, established in 1902, was the first paint company in Southeast Asia and has supplied paints for notable Indian landmarks.
Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd, founded in 1907 as Alembic Chemical Works, is now an Indian multinational in the pharmaceutical sector.
- Who
- Eight Indian companies: EID Parry, Teesta Valley Tea Company, Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation, Amluckie Investment Company, Kamarhatty Company, Bombay Dyeing, Shalimar Paints, and Alembic Pharmaceuticals.
- What
- The establishment and history of eight of India's oldest continuously operating companies.
- When
- These companies were founded between 1839 and 1907 and continue to operate today.
- Where
- Across various locations in India, including Chennai, Kolkata, Darjeeling, Howrah, and Vadodara.
- Why
- To highlight the historical business entities that chronicle the beginnings of corporate India.
- EID Parry
- 1839
- Teesta Valley Tea Company Limited
- 1841
- Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation, Limited
- 1863
- Amluckie Investment Company
- 1876
- Kamarhatty Company Limited
- 1877
- Bombay Dyeing Company
- 1879
- Shalimar Paints
- 1902
- Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd
- 1907