BANKING TRADE AND COMMERCE

PEDLARS AND HAWKERS

This class of merchants still play quite an important role in the trade organisation although the system of peddling has undergone considerable changes in recent years. In older days pedlars belonged to certain specified classes, namely, Gujaratis, Lingayats and Marwar Vanis besides some professional classes such as oil-men, weavers, tailors, betel-leaf vendors, etc. In the course of time the Vanis gave up this form of trade and settled down in villages and towns as regular shop-keepers. Displaced persons from West Pakistan who have migrated to Sholapur have also started the occupation of peddling and hawking.

The pedlars and hawkers played an important role in the commercial activities of the district in the past, and they used to sell a number of articles of daily use. However, these conditions have changed with the passage of time and with the growth in number and variety of retail shops. This has affected the business of peddling and hawking to a considerable extent.

The decline in the trade of these itinerant traders can be attributed to the changing attitude of the people who now-a-days show a marked preference for periodical markets and retail shops which offer them a wide variety and choice. Even then pedlars still play a significant role in retail trading activities in villages.

The hawkers generally purchase their goods from wholesalers and retailers in towns such as Sholapur, Barshi and Pandharpur. A small capital investment of Rs. 50 to Rs. 200 is required in this business. The business goes on throughout the year.

The business of hawkers and pedlars is quite large during the fairs at Pandharpur, Barshi, Sholapur, Mangalwedha and Karmala. At the time of fairs pedlars and hawkers from all over the district as well as from distant places gather and sell their goods.

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