How Mukesh Ambani, Anil Ambani’s father Dhirubhai Ambani started Reliance in small room with…, it had one table…

With an initial investment of just Rs. 15,000, Reliance Commercial Corporation's first office was established in Mumbai’s Masjid Bunder area.

Reliance Industries is currently the largest and most influential business in India. Under the leadership of Mukesh Ambani, it has become a dominant force in various sectors, including oil and gas, retail and telecommunications. However, this successful journey began with an initial investment of only a few rupees. Over time, throughout several decades, Reliance has drastically increased in size, currently having a market capitalisation of over Rs 19.19 lakh crore.

When did Dhirubhai Ambani establish Reliance Industries?

Dhirubhai Ambani was born on December 28, 1932, in Chorwad, a small village in Gujarat’s Junagadh District. Because of his family’s poor financial situation, he left high school early and earned his living by selling fritters on the street, as reported by TV9 Hindi. Even though Dhirubhai Ambani lived in poverty, he dreamed of a better life for himself and was determined to succeed. He decided to leave India and move to Aden, Yemen, where he worked as a gas station attendant, earning just 300 rupees a month. After eight years working abroad, he returned to India in 1958 with very little money and partnered with his cousin Champaklal Damani to start a textile trading business, which eventually led to the creation of Reliance Industries Limited in 1960.

Dhirubhai and Champaklal saw a business opportunity in developing trade between Yemen and India. They started a business in the late 1950s, which specialised in importing spices and polyester yarn from India to Yemen under the name of Majin.

Why is Reliance’s origin story significant in India’s business history?

Dhirubhai Ambani, who had moved back to India in the late 1960s, set up the Reliance Commercial Corporation with Champaklal Damani. The pair set up their first office in Mumbai’s Masjid Bunder with an initial investment of Rs. 15,000. This modest office was spread over just 350 square feet. This modest setup eventually grew into one of India’s most powerful largest conglomerates. The first office was established in Mumbai’s Masjid Bunder area.

With an initial investment of just Rs. 15,000, Reliance Commercial Corporation’s first office was established in Mumbai’s Masjid Bunder area. This humble 350-square-foot space, equipped with a single table, three chairs, and one telephone, became the foundation of an empire, where ambitions turned into actionable strategies.

In 1965, the partnership was dissolved with Dhirubhai Ambani’s takeover of the polyester business and within the year, in 1966, he opened Reliance Textiles Industries Pvt. Ltd. in Maharashtra. In 1977, Reliance Textile Industries’ IPO created history by ushering the equity cult in India. The issue is oversubscribed seven times, strengthening Reliance’s growth ambitions.

Ambani began building a team that would later serve as the foundation of Reliance’s long-term success. Alongside his younger brother Ramnikbhai Nathubhai, nephew Rasikbhai Meswani, and two longtime classmates, he gathered a dedicated group that would become the core of the business. Together, they pursued growth with determination, navigating the bustling streets of Pydhonie.

Dhirubhai Ambani passed away on July 6, 2002, after elevating Reliance Industries to unparalleled heights. Soon after his demise, the company was split between his two sons, Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani.

How did this modest beginning eventually lead to one of India’s largest conglomerates?

His business aspirations and mission to create a business that would revolutionise India’s industrial landscape were what motivated him to start his entrepreneurial career. His extensive knowledge of the market allowed him to not only encourage this company to get started but also build it up to become an extremely successful business that created the foundation on which Reliance would grow into an industry leader in petrochemicals, textiles, and ultimately, energy.

Mumbai is home to Reliance Industries, which represents Dhirubhai Ambani’s vision & hard work. Today, Reliance Industries is one of India’s largest employers and an important contributor globally with innovations that will help shape the future of Indian business. Mukesh Ambani has helped propel Reliance forward in telecommunications and digital services, especially through Reliance Jio. Jio was a game-changer for the Indian telecommunications sector, providing access to the Internet for everyone in India and thus accelerating the digital transformation of India.