Virji Vora, an eminent Indian businessman of the 17th century, amassed immense wealth and played a pivotal role in global trade, notably with the British East India Company.
For centuries, India has been a hub of business, connecting with people worldwide and playing a significant role in the global economy. Among the many remarkable Indian businessmen throughout history, Virji Vora stands out as one of the wealthiest, earning him the title of the richest businessman ever by the British East India Company.
Born in 1590, Virji Vora amassed an immense fortune of around Rs 8 million during his lifetime, making him incredibly wealthy for his time. Adjusted for inflation, his wealth would even surpass that of today's richest Indian, Mukesh Ambani. Vora played a crucial financial role for the East India Company from 1617 to 1670, lending them a substantial sum of Rs 2,00,000.
Historical records show that Vora was a wholesaler dealing in various goods like pepper, gold, and cardamom. He built strong business ties with the British between 1629 and 1668, expanding his empire by buying and selling goods at considerable profits. His reputation as a lender was so esteemed that even Englishmen sought loans from him. Some accounts even suggest that the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb sought financial aid from Vora during his campaigns in the Deccan region.
Vora's business ventures stretched beyond India, reaching major port cities in the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and Southeast Asia. He had agents in key trading centers such as Agra, Burhanpur, Golconda, Goa, Calicut, Bihar, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Baruch.
Virji Vora's legacy as a pioneering Indian businessman continues to inspire, highlighting the significant contributions of Indian traders to global commerce throughout history.
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