COMPANYHISTORIES

India

Companies based in India, and the events that shaped them.

16companies1907–1993founding years14still active0no longer operating
§ 01

India companies over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedTata Iron & Steel Co. Ltd.
1907
1908
TechnologyFord's Model T puts the automobile within reach of the middle class.
1913
TechnologyFord's moving assembly line transforms factory production.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1916
EconomyPiggly Wiggly opens the first self-service grocery store.
FoundedState Bank of India
1921
FoundedMTR Foods Ltd.
1924
1925
EconomyThe Grand Ole Opry begins broadcasting from Nashville.
1927
TechnologyThe Jazz Singer ushers in the era of sound films.
TechnologyLindbergh flies the Atlantic solo, and aviation captures the public.
1928
TechnologyPenicillin is discovered, opening the age of antibiotics.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1931
EconomyThe Empire State Building rises in just over a year.
1933
EconomyThe first drive-in movie theater opens in New Jersey.
1937
EconomyThe Golden Gate Bridge opens as the world's longest suspension span.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
FoundedBajaj Auto Limited
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
FoundedAir-India Limited
1946
TechnologyENIAC, the first general-purpose electronic computer, is unveiled.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1955
EconomyMcDonald's franchising begins, remaking fast food.
EconomyDisneyland opens and invents the modern theme park.
FoundedNeyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd.
1956
TechnologyThe first transatlantic telephone cable opens.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedOIL AND NATURAL GAS COMMISSION
1959
FoundedRanbaxy Laboratories Ltd.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
EconomyThe first Walmart opens, built on everyday low prices.
FoundedMINERALS & METALS TRADING CORPORATION OF INDIA LTD.
1963
FoundedIndian Oil Corporation Ltd.
1964
1969
TechnologyARPANET, the internet's precursor, goes live.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
FoundedSteel Authority of India Ltd.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
FoundedInfosys Technologies Ltd.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
TechnologyThe first US in-vitro fertilization baby is born.
FoundedSun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
1982
FoundedDr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedJet Airways (India) Private Limited
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
TechnologyLinux and open source challenge proprietary software.
FoundedAir Sahara Limited
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1994
TechnologyE-commerce begins to disrupt retail.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
1999
TechnologyNapster ignites the digital disruption of recorded music.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
TechnologyGPS opens to civilian use, turning location into a utility.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Tata Iron & Steel Co. Ltd. →
Active · founded 1907 · India
Tata Iron & Steel Company Ltd.
State Bank of India →
Active · founded 1921 · India
State Bank of India (SBI) is that country's largest commercial bank.
MTR Foods Ltd. →
Active · founded 1924 · India
MTR Foods Ltd.
Bajaj Auto Limited →
Active · founded 1945 · India
Bajaj Auto Limited is India's largest manufacturer of scooters and motorcycles.
Air-India Limited →
Active · founded 1946 · India
Air-India Limited operates passenger and cargo flights from Bombay to destinations in the United States, Europe, the…
Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd. →
Renamed · founded 1956 · India
Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd.
OIL AND NATURAL GAS COMMISSION →
Active · founded 1959 · India
The Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC), India's largest petroleum exploration and production entity, is organized as…
Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. →
Active · founded 1962 · India
Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.
MINERALS & METALS TRADING CORPORATION OF INDIA LTD. →
Active · founded 1963 · India
Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation of India Ltd.
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. →
Active · founded 1964 · India
The Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.
Steel Authority of India Ltd. →
Active · founded 1973 · India
The Steel Authority of India Ltd.
Infosys Technologies Ltd. →
Active · founded 1981 · India
Infosys Technologies Ltd.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. →
Active · founded 1982 · India
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. →
Active · founded 1984 · India
Dr.
Jet Airways (India) Private Limited →
Active · founded 1991 · India
Jet Airways (India) Private Limited is India's leading private airline.
Air Sahara Limited →
Renamed · founded 1993 · India
Air Sahara Limited is a leading private airline in India, owned by the diversified Sahara India Parivar group.
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