Pune’s Irani Immigrant who pioneered Soft Drinks long before Coca Cola and Pepsi dominated

Before Carbonated soft drinks like Coca Cola and Pepsi became household names in the world, the Indian Subcontinent was already hooked on another, way more fizzy and popular drink made by Parsi settlers from Iran in the Indian city of Pune. This is the story of Ardeshir Khodadad Irani who gave the world probably the first carbonated drink, long before companies like Coca Cola and Pepsi established their hegemony. The Soda Company is still around and it is run by the fourth generation of Ardeshir. What started as a simple carbonated drink- sold with the name Ardeshir's Soda -  by a Parsi businessman has now expanded into a well-established beverage enterprise selling drinks in many flavors to cater to the taste of all Indians. 

How it all started

In the late 19th century, around the 1860s, Ardeshir had to flee Iran because of the ongoing religious persecution in the region. Ardeshir first came to Quetta (in Pakistan now) and then to Mumbai in search of a job but things didn't work out for him. He then moved to Pune to try his luck in the new city and earn his living. By that time, Pune had become a well established camp for the British Army where British Soldiers, after a long working day, would gather to relax and find comfort in drinking. Around that time, there was only one company that used to make soda water in Pune and that company too had to depend on the outside world for materials for making Soda water. This often created the scarcity of Soda water in bars and canteens of cantonment that would make soldiers angry. 

Ardeshir Irani saw a business opportunity in this and prepared his own carbonated drink. Taking this radical idea forward, Ardeshir established his own Soda company - one of the first in the world - near Sharbatwala Chowk in Cantonment region in Pune. He began making carbonated drinks by fusing CO2 with water with the help of Charcoal. Initially, Ardeshir prepares the drink in small quantities and distributes them among the soldiers in camp. It was an immediate hit. Soldiers accepted the drinks wholeheartedly and they would wait for the day to end so that they could sip Ardeshir's brand new soda drink in the evening. In a matter of months, Ardeshir's Soda became the talk of the town and Ardeshir Irani started manufacturing it in bulk, sending big units for the Soldiers in the Camp.

From Ardeshir's Soda to Ardy's : Fourth Generation taking the business forward:

Ardeshir's Soda is still being sold in Maharashtra with a new name : Ardy's. Marzban Irani, fourth generation of Ardeshir Irani, is keeping the fizzy magic of his great grandfather alive under the The Soda Company. However, the business is facing intense competition from established foreign and also from indigenous beverage companies. Plus there are logistical challenges as well. Ardy's drink comes in a glass bottle only. This created a problem of long distance supply as glass bottles can be returned only from 200 km. The only alternative to Glass bottles is plastic containers (or PET) but Marzban is concerned how it will affect the quality of the soda and the environmental pollution it causes.

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In spite of these challenges, Marzban is continuing the business and introducing many flavors that cater to the needs of every Indian. The advent of brands like Coca Cola and Pepsi may have overwhelmed the Arshirie Irani's soda drink, but those who have tasted Ardeshir's magic drink will remember the old times and want to bring its glory back. This was the effect of an Iranian Immigrant's Carbonated drink that pioneered in the Soft Drinks.  (Rh/RS)