Virji Vora (ca. 1590 – ca. 1670) was a wholesale trader and reportedly had a personal wealth of around Rs 8 million at the time, making him the richest businessman India had ever seen. – Srishty Choudhury
Since ancient times, India has been a prominent centre for business with Indian traders engaging with people from around the globe for centuries, contributing significantly to the world economy. It is not an exaggeration to say that India has produced many outstanding businessmen and introduced various commodities, such as spices and cotton, to the global market. One such remarkable individual was Virji Vora, who is often referred to as the richest businessman ever by the British East India Company.
Born in 1590, Virji Vora amassed an enormous personal wealth of around Rs 8 million, making him one of the wealthiest businessmen of his time. If adjusted for inflation, his net worth would surpass that of Mukesh Ambani, India’s current richest individual. Virji Vora was a substantial financier for the East India Company between 1617 and 1670. He is said to have lent a significant amount of Rs 2,00,000 to the East India Company.
Historical records suggest that Virji Vora was a wholesaler trading in various products, including pepper, gold, and cardamom, among others. He established lucrative business relationships with the British between 1629 and 1668, thereby expanding his business empire. He often bought entire stocks of products and sold them at substantial profits. His reputation as a money lender was such that even Englishmen sought loans from him. Some historical accounts even suggest that Mughal emperor Aurangzeb reached out to Virji Vora for financial assistance during his campaign to conquer the Deccan region of India.
Virji Vora’s business extended not only across India but also to the major port cities of the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and South-East Asia. He had agents in various critical trading centers of the time, including Agra, Burhanpur, Golconda in Deccan, Goa, Calicut, Bihar, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Baruch. – DNA, 31 May 2024
› Srishty Choudhury is the Assistant News Editor for DNA at Noida.
Filed under: india, iran, south-east asia | Tagged: commodities trader, east india company, india's richest people, medieval india, virji vora |
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