Aberdeen Standard Investments, 1 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2LL
Rugby fans know the Calcutta Cup, originally gifted to a Calcutta rugby club by Standard Life, an example of Edinburgh business’ India involvement. In 1845 Standard Life started to calculate risks of insuring British lives in India for emigrants needing life insurance. By 1903 Indians were insured as well. The reduction in Europeans in India in the 1930s and 1940s led to the business closing by 1946, after 100 years. Impressive Standard Life buildings with their distinctive biblical wise and foolish maidens (Matthew 25:1-13) remain in Edinburgh (look at the top of the building) but also in Kolkata and Mumbai.
The old ’10 Virgins’ on the Standard Life Building in George Street, Edinburgh.
The ‘Calcutta Cup’ Rugby Trophy.
Standard Life Building in B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata.
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