Indian businessmen during the Mughal period were as wealthy and influential as today’s tycoons like Alan and Ambani. Their status was so high that they even lent money to Mughal emperors and the British. Let’s take a look at some of the richest businessmen of that era.
Virji Vora was a Surat-based businessman who was known as the richest trader in the world during the mid-17th century. His wealth was so vast that he even gave loans to the British. When Aurangzeb’s financial condition worsened during his involvement in the politics of Deccan, he sought interest-free loans from the businessmen of Surat, but they refused to give him any.
Shantidas Jawahari was a jeweler who had a successful business during Shah Jahan’s reign. When Prince Aurangzeb destroyed a temple and built a mosque in its place, Shantidas used his influence to pressure Shah Jahan into reconstructing the temple. However, when Aurangzeb became emperor, he again demolished the temple and built the mosque.
Manik Chand was the cashier of Murshid Quli Khan, the Nawab of Bengal. He and the Nawab together built the capital Murshidabad. The Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar gave Manik Chand the title of Seth, which later became famous as the place Seth, and his family members also used the title. Some reports claim that their wealth was greater than the economy of Britain.
The period of the Mughals is considered the golden period of the Indian economy, with the country having a 25% share in the world’s GDP during Shah Jahan’s reign. The list of top 10 richest people in India continues to change, with Adani suffering a loss and Ambani remaining a top contender. The wealth of the top 1% of Indians is over 40% of the country’s total wealth.
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