Traditional business communities following different religious and business traditions form the core of the Indian business class. The economic power they wield is mind-blowing. For instance, the Bajajs and Birlas (Marwaris), the Wadias, Tatas and Godrejs (Parsis), the Ambanis (Gujaratis), the Hero Group (Punjabi) and the Murugappa Group (Chettiar). Though their shrewd business sense has given them tremendous success, some of these communities have never quite won the respect they deserve from Indian society as they are seen as ruthless moneylenders. Although the profile of Indian business has begun to change with success in information technology, these informal business communities continue to be the face behind modern corporate India. This book is an attempt to trace the history and role of some of these successful business communities in India.