--- layout: default title: "Asian Trading Corporation" categories: [Institutions, CISRS, A. M. A. Ayrookuzhiel] description: "An overview of Asian Trading Corporation, an Indian publishing organisation established in Bombay in 1946 and later based in Bengaluru." permalink: /articles/asian-trading-corporation/ page_id: TSAP-1296 created: 2026-09-25 --- {% include under-construction.html %} ***Asian Trading Corporation*** (ATC) is an Indian publishing organisation established in Bombay in 1946 and later based in Bengaluru. The organisation developed from its early work as a bookshop into publishing, importing, exporting and distributing books and other literature. ## History Asian Trading Corporation was established in Bombay in 1946. According to an account published by Agenzia Fides in 2007, it began as a bookshop specialising in prayer books, missals and Christian literature for seminaries and institutes of formation. The organisation moved to Bengaluru in 1967. By 2007, ATC was described as a publishing house promoting Christian literature in India. Agenzia Fides reported that its catalogue included books on theology, liturgy, Scripture, catechesis, religious life, spirituality, philosophy, communication, prayer, sociology, counselling and Indology. The same report stated that ATC had published more than 700 volumes, many of which had been reprinted. ## Publishing and distribution ATC's present publishing operation is represented by ATC Publishers, which describes itself as part of the Asian Trading Corporation group. The group states that it is involved in publishing, exporting, importing and distribution of Bibles and Christian literature in India, Asia and elsewhere. ATC Publishers currently states that ATC has published more than 2,000 titles. Its catalogue includes publications in areas such as Scripture, theology, philosophy, spirituality, homiletics, counselling, psychology and self-improvement. The organisation's publishing history also includes works by Indian authors and works concerning religion and society in India. In 2007, Agenzia Fides described ATC as a reference for new Indian authors and noted its publication and reprinting of works by foreign authors for Indian readers. ## Academic and theological publishing ATC has published books intended for theological and academic readers. One documented example is *Theological Education in India Today*, published by Asian Trading Corporation in 1985. Its catalogue has also included works concerning relations between different religious traditions and questions of religious conversion. Among the documented publications are Hans Staffner's *The Open Door* and Julian Saldanha's *Hindu Sensibilities towards Conversion*. These publications form part of ATC's wider catalogue of works dealing with theology, religion, philosophy and society. ## Relationship with CISRS Asian Trading Corporation has published works associated with the Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society (CISRS), Bengaluru. One documented example is *Essays on Dalits, Religion, and Liberation* by A. M. Abraham Ayrookuzhiel. The book was published by Asian Trading Corporation in 2006. Google Books identifies the Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, Bangalore as a contributor to the volume. The book brings together writings by Ayrookuzhiel concerning religion, Dalit communities and liberation. Its contents include discussions of religious heritage, religious legitimation and delegitimation, and questions concerning Dalits and religious systems. The publication provides a documented connection between ATC, CISRS and the publication of Ayrookuzhiel's writings. ## A. M. A. Ayrookuzhiel A. M. Abraham Ayrookuzhiel was associated with CISRS and wrote on religion and society in India, including questions concerning Dalit communities and religious traditions. His *Essays on Dalits, Religion, and Liberation* was published by Asian Trading Corporation in 2006. The bibliographic record gives the book as 321 pages and identifies its ISBN as 8170863996. The volume is significant to the history of ATC's publications because it records the publication of Ayrookuzhiel's writings by the Bengaluru-based publisher. ## Bengaluru After its move from Bombay, Bengaluru became the base of ATC's publishing activities. ATC Publishers currently gives its address as St Mary's Block, Paalanaa Bhavana, No. 5, Nandi Durga Road, Jayamahal Extension, Benson Town, Bengaluru 560046. The Archdiocese of Bangalore also lists Asian Trading Corporation among its printing, publications and book-stall organisations and records ATC as established in 1946. ## References 1. [Welcome to ATC Publishers](https://www.atcpublishers.com/), ATC Publishers, accessed 25 September 2026. 2. [Contact Us](https://www.atcpublishers.com/contact-us), ATC Publishers, accessed 25 September 2026. 3. [Sixty years ago it opened as a book shop, today ATC is an important publishing house which promotes Christian literature in India](https://fides.org/en/news/9898-ASIA_INDIA_Sixty_years_ago_it_opened_as_a_book_shop_today_ATC_is_an_important_publishing_house_which_promotes_Christian_literature_in_India), Agenzia Fides, 2 July 2007, accessed 25 September 2026. 4. [Asian Trading Corporation](https://www.bangalorearchdiocese.org/printing-press-publications-book-st), Archdiocese of Bangalore, accessed 25 September 2026. 5. [Theological Education in India Today](https://books.google.com/books/about/Theological_Education_in_India_Today.html?id=ctgWAAAAIAAJ), Google Books, Asian Trading Corporation, 1985, accessed 25 September 2026. 6. [Essays on Dalits, Religion, and Liberation](https://books.google.com/books/about/Essays_on_Dalits_religion_and_liberation.html?hl=en&id=slAKAQAAMAAJ), Google Books, Asian Trading Corporation, 2006, accessed 25 September 2026. 7. [Essays on Dalits, Religion and Liberation](/amaa/edrl/), The Sunil Abraham Project, accessed 25 September 2026. ## External links - [Official website](https://www.atcpublishers.com/)