経済自由化以後の現代インド社会を生きる鉄鍛冶業の戦略と共生

Recently, rural industries in West Bengal, India, have encountered severe market competition from modem factories and large producers. Consequently, most of them have adopted a collaborative rather than independent pattern of production as a strategy to survive as marginal producers. According to Marjit and Maiti [2005], there is a clear trend in the rate of increase of collaborative patterns of production among marginal producers in rural industries. Research for this paper was conducted from 2004 to 2006 in Bishnupur, Bankura district, West Bengal, where there are 28 brass-smiths and 27 blacksmiths. While a trend towards collaboration was seen in the brass-smith industry there, it was not evident in the blacksmith industry, although it faced similar competition owing to the severe effects of the spread of factory-iron products and shops. This paper clarifies the factors causing differences in the survival strategies of the blacksmith industry and other rural industries by examining the status of Bishnupur's blacksmith industry. Moreover, it discusses the strategies they have adopted to survive in the modern Indian society that emerged following economic liberalization, while maintaining an independent pattern of production. First, based on Maiti [2005], this paper examines the increasing trend toward collaborative patterns of production among marginal producers in the rural industry of West Bengal, as well as the reasons for the increase. Based on the data gathered, it studies certain trends in Bishnupur's brass-smith industry. Second, it investigates the status of the blacksmith industry in Bishnupur from the standpoint of survival strategies and change. Third, it explains the particular qualities distinguishing the blacksmith industry from other rural industries, such as their relationship with users and differences in their products. Further, it illuminates the strategies that enable blacksmiths to survive while maintaining independent patterns of production. In conclusion, this paper suggests that the particular nature of the blacksmith industry played an important part in the blacksmiths' strategy for survival in the modern Indian society that emerged following economic liberalization. It also suggests that-unlike other rural industries-when confronted with the severe effects of the spread of factory-iron products and shops, Bishnupur blacksmiths attempted to survive in modern Indian society by adopting a strategy to obtain customers by hiding the weaknesses of their business competitors and building a mutually beneficial relationship with them. That "symbiotic relationship" bestows upon them the benefits necessary for their survival.