History of Soft Drinks in India

The history of soft drinks in India starts from the Banta, also known as Goli Soda, and there was a soda drink called Kalimark, which came in 1916. Earlier in Mumbai, a person named Henry Rogers also launched a soda drink which was named Rogers. After this, some Parsi traders also set foot in the business of soft drinks.

These soft drinks or soda drinks were before the independence of India. The real war on soft drinks started after India's independence.

Parle-Cola

An Indian company we know as Parle is also a part of the history of soft drinks in India. Parle set foot in the business of soft drinks in 1949. In 1949, Parle launched his soft drink on the market called Parle Cola. Coca-Cola and Pepsi had also arrived in India. Coca-Cola opened its plant in New Delhi. Parle on one side and two American companies were on the other side. Subsequently, in 1952, Parle launched one of his orange-flavored soft drinks, which was quite a success, especially among children, and people were also liking Coca-Cola. However, Pepsi's performance was not good. Because of this, Pepsi decided to leave India, and now there are only two soft drink companies in the market in India, Parle and Coca Cola. However, Parle and Coca-Cola were yet to compete directly. Both soft drinks' flavors were different from each other.

In 1971, Parle launched another drink of his which was Limca. Limca was also a very successful drink of Parle. It was the same year when India was at war with Pakistan. However, the war had affected the Indian Economy.

Bad years for the Indian Economy

1971–1977 was a period of great upheaval in India's politics and the future and history of soft drinks in India. From 1975-to 1977 Emergency was imposed in India. This emergency lasted for about 21 months. In 1977, the non-Congress Government in India, the Janata Party, came into power. Morarji Desai became the Prime Minister of India. With this, George Fernandes became Union Minister of Industry. George Fernandes's attitude toward foreign companies was quite strict.

Bye-Bye Coca-Cola

Union Minister George Fernandes is a Major character in the history of soft drinks in India. He imposed the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act. Under which no foreign company can own more than 40% of the shares in India, and also conditioned Coca-Cola to tell its soft drink formula. He was well aware that Coca-Cola would never agree to it, and then Coca-Cola left India

It did not end here. After the departure of Coca-Cola, George Fernandes had to face the anger of the people of India. Because of this decision, thousands of people working in Coca-Cola lost their jobs and started demanding that bring back Coca-Cola to India.

Indian Government's Double Seven

Indian Government launched its soft drink, Double Seven, and Janta Party launched it to cover the big market of Coca-Cola. However, it was a fail. But Campa Cola, which was in the Indian market since the 70s, was doing good, and it lasted for almost 20 years.

Thums Up Entry into the Indian Market

It was now Parle's turn. Parle also thought of covering Cola's market, and then after some time, Parle launched its new soft drink Thums Up, in the Indian soft drink market. It was also a successful soft drink by Parle. Parle remained the leading company in soft drinks in India until 1987. An old player was supposed to enter the soft drink market, and the future and history of soft drinks in India were about to change again. India, which was struggling with unemployment at that time, then the Government allowed Pepsi to come to India after many parliamentary discussions. Although Coca-Cola also tried to return to India, it failed. The local soft drink companies didn't like the Indian Government's decision. So, they opposed their decision. But this did not have much effect, and now Pepsi had entered India.