Jaico Publishing House
Elevate Your Life. Transform Your World.
Enduring Vision
Our late founder, Mr. Jaman Shah, first established Jaico as a book distribution company in 1946. Sensing that independence was around the corner, he aptly named his company Jaico (“Jai” means victory in Hindi). He then saw a significant demand for affordable books in the developing nation and initiated Jaico’s own publishing program to meet the need. His enduring vision continues to guide us as we strive to transform and elevate the lives of our readers.
Jaico was India’s first publisher of paperback books in the English language. Self-help, religion and philosophy, mind/body/spirit, and business titles form the cornerstone of our non-fiction list. We also offer an exciting range of current affairs, history, biography, art and architecture, travel, and popular science books. Our expanding fiction list showcases a host of fresh voices with a special focus on mythological and historical fiction, fantasy, crime, and thrillers.
Expanding Horizons
World Transforming Authors
Jaico has published a range of world-transforming authors such as Robin Sharma, Sadhguru, Osho, the Dalai Lama, Deepak Chopra, Eknath Easwaran, Devdutt Pattanaik, Radhakrishnan Pillai, Morgan Housel, Napoleon Hill, John Maxwell, Brian Tracy, and Stephen Hawking. In addition, Jaico’s translations division publishes select bestselling titles in over ten regional languages including Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, and Telugu. These include titles from renowned national and international authors like Sudha Murthy, Gaur Gopal Das, Swami Mukundananda, Jay Shetty, and Jeff Keller.
Jaico
Distribution
Centers
Boasting one of India’s largest book distribution networks, Jaico has its headquarters in Mumbai, with branches in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. This network ensures that our books reach all parts of the country, both urban and rural.
The Journey Of Jaico Publishing House
1946
Pioneering Diverse and High-Quality Literature Distribution in India
Jaman Shah starts Jaico as a book distribution company, importing titles from Pocket Books, Inc. in the USA. Jaico's vision is to bring diverse and high-quality literature to India.
1949
Jaico's Debut: Bringing the Treasured "Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam" to India
Jaico’s first title, the "Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam," is printed in the US and shipped to India.
1955
Pioneering English Paperback Publishing in India
Despite the country’s printing industry being in its infancy, Jaico begins printing its books domestically, pioneering the publishing of paperback books in English in India.
1959
Championing Freedom of Expression
Former Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru supports Jaico’s stance against censorship of Vladimir Nabokov’s controversial "Lolita." Jaico's commitment to freedom of expression and publishing books of literary value is established. Read Article
1960
Bringing Global Knowledge to India
Jaico expands its distribution line by importing books from international academic publishers such as McGraw Hill, John Wiley & Sons, and Prentice Hall, bringing cutting-edge research and scholarship to Indian readers.
1970
Ashwin Shah Takes the Helm
Jaman Shah’s son, Ashwin Shah, joins the company after obtaining an MBA from the USA and begins expanding Jaico.
1976
Expanding Horizons
Jaico’s first branch opens outside Mumbai in Delhi. Jaico's publishing program is expanding, bringing great literature and ideas to readers throughout India.
1986
A Groundbreaking Introduction to India's News Landscape
Under Ashwin Shah’s leadership, Jaico launches India’s first Sunday newspaper, The Sunday Observer, bringing important stories to readers.
2002
Continuing the Legacy: Akash Shah Joins Jaico, Enriching Indian Publishing with Local Authors
Ashwin Shah’s son Akash Shah joins Jaico after obtaining a BA in English Literature and Art History from the University of Rochester and an MBA from Columbia Business School. He expands Jaico's local publishing program, bringing Indian authors to the forefront.
2003
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari: Jaico's Multi-Lingual Triumph Inspiring India
Jaico publishes Robin Sharma's "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" in India and translates it into ten languages, making it a bestseller and transforming the lives of readers across India.
2012
Breaking Language Barriers
Jaico formalizes its translation division, bringing literature from around the world to Indian readers.
2020
A Strategic Shift
Jaico strategically refocuses its distribution on its own publications and ceases the distribution of other publishers, consolidating its position as a leading publisher in India.
2021
Jaico at 75
Jaico celebrates its 75th anniversary, reflecting on its journey of elevating lives and transforming worlds.
2022
The Psychology of Money: A Resounding Success in India
The Indian edition of "The Psychology of Money," published in 2020, sells over five lakh copies in English and Indian languages.