ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the shifting middle class values through the changing work role, social origins, and perceptions of the Indian entrepreneur. Although the middle class is composed of many occupations, commerce has always been at the centre— as the businessman mediated between the landed upper classes and the labouring lower classes. Hence, one ought to be able to learn something about middle-class values through a better understanding of the entrepreneur. The chapter focuses especially on the past decade and the divide that has emerged between entrepreneurs of the so-called 'old' and the 'new' economy. When the history of India's twentieth century is written, two trends will be noticed. One is the entrepreneurial surge in the last decade after 1991; the other is the expansion of the middle class in the last two decades of the century after 1980. The extraordinary success of young Indians in Silicon Valley has served as a role model to inspire start-ups in major cities.
