India is home to several century-old brands whose names remain popular even today. One of the most famous is Parle-G, a glucose biscuit brand founded in 1928, which is now approaching its 100th anniversary. The journey that began in 1928 has now reached homes all across India. The privately-owned company earns most of its revenue, about USD 1.9 billion, from biscuits. In 2021, it expanded into cereals and flour.
Parle Products also has factories in eight other countries, including Mexico. Vijay Chauhan’s son, Ajay, and his nephews are actively involved in running the company.
How did Parle-G begin?
The story of Parle-G dates back nearly 100 years. Vijay Chauhan’s grandfather, Mohanlal Chauhan, started Parle in 1928, producing confectionery in a small cattle shed during British rule. He conceived the idea of launching an Indian biscuit brand to provide a local alternative to imported snacks. The company was founded in 1928 by Vijay Chauhan’s grandfather, Mohanlal Dayal, in a small cattle shed. It was named after the area where the factory was established, Vile Parle. Parle-G began with Mohanlal Chauhan’s vision. A native of Gujarat, he wanted to become a successful Indian entrepreneur during the 1920s, when India was under British rule. Inspired by the Swadeshi Movement, he moved to Mumbai and entered the snack food business.
With a capital of Rs 60,000, Mohanlal imported biscuit-making machines from Germany. Along with his five sons, Maneklal, Pitambar, Narottam, Kantilal, and Jayantilal, he set up a small factory in Mumbai’s Vile Parle area and began producing biscuits.
Rise to fame after Independence
About 20 years after its founding, following India’s independence, Parle-G’s popularity soared as it became a preferred Indian alternative to British snacks. The company later expanded into soft drinks and continued growing in the FMCG sector, establishing factories in eight countries, including Mexico.
Net worth and global recognition
The brand is owned and managed by Vijay Chauhan & Family, who rank 31st among India’s richest people. According to Forbes, the family’s real-time net worth is 8.6 billion dollars, approximately Rs 78,000 crore. Parle-G was named the world’s best-selling biscuit in 2011, according to a Nielsen report. Today, Mohanlal Chauhan’s legacy continues under the leadership of his grandson, Vijay Chauhan, and his family, keeping the brand’s century-old charm alive.
