Everyday Politics of Economic Life in Small Town North India: A Social History of Kannauj through the Lens of the Ittar (Perfume) Business

Abstract

This article attempts to understand the recent social history of Kannauj, a small town in North India famous for manufacturing ittar and associated products. Social history is captured by understanding the interconnectedness of society, economy and politics. The article argues that various social networks—meshed, cluster-based and transactional—facilitate business in ittar and associated products and also shape everyday politics of economic life interconnecting economy, society and politics.