Entrepreneurship among Diasporic Communities: A Comparative Examination of Patidars of Gujarat and Jats of Punjab

Abstract

A comparative examination of two communities of India, namely, the Patidars of Gujarat and the Jats of Punjab, who constitute a majority in the Indian diaspora, reveals that both these communities share certain features such as landownership, middle caste status and a dominant caste position besides some socio-cultural similarities. Despite their common background, each has performed differently in foreign countries. The nature and streams of their immigration patterns differ. In the case of Patidars, it is a step migration while amongst the Jats the pioneers were ex-soldiers. The innovativeness and entrepreneurship of the Patidars significantly contributed to the economic development of the host countries. The Jats—the most progressive community—are found in almost all parts of the globe. They have largely taken up agricultural and industrial labour activities. They invariably invest their surplus money in buying some agricultural land. The differential performance of two communities points towards their different attributes, orientations towards work, work ideologies and primordial ties such as sense of family and kinship networks.