The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) is one of Asia's oldest exchanges and is also ranked as the largest in the world by the number of registered companies. A sculpture of a bronze bull stands near its building, symbolizing resilience and strength.
As the world develops, so does the BSE. Last year, the BSE proudly celebrated its 150th anniversary, strengthening its position as a cornerstone of inclusivity for developing India and the global financial landscape. Located in Mumbai, India's financial capital, the history of the BSE is rich with significant milestones reflecting both historical importance and modern achievements.
Established in 1875, the BSE is not only the oldest exchange in Asia but also the largest in the world in terms of the number of companies whose shares are traded there. Its role in shaping India's capital market has been crucial, as it provided a reliable platform for capital attraction, benefiting numerous enterprises both within and outside India.
The exchange's financial index, known as the BSE Sensex, which was launched 40 years ago, is the country's first stock index. This index is tracked by investors worldwide and is considered an indicator of India's economic growth.
Thanks to its stringent financial systems, the BSE provides an efficient and transparent market for trading stocks, debt instruments, equity derivatives, currency derivatives, interest rate derivatives, mutual funds, as well as for stock lending and borrowing.
This week, following the conclusion of the 18th BRICS summit in New Delhi, a delegation of journalists from member countries closely examined the BSE headquarters in Mumbai. There, Managing Director and CEO Sundararaman Ramamurthy presented the historical perspective on the evolution and significance of the exchange in the global financial sphere.
He also highlighted India's rich trading heritage spanning over two centuries, rooted in financial operations dating back to ancient times, although documented records primarily began in the 19th century. Ramamurthy stated: 'India has over 200 years of documented trading history, despite an undocumented history. It has gone through numerous changes, including the 90s when the exchange was digitized, when brokers came here and created a lot of noise in this hall. You are sitting in the hall where brokers shouted during trading.'
This veteran of financial markets noted that despite complex global situations in stock and financial markets, the BSE continues to show signs of resilience. He added: 'There is historical significance in how stock market trading used to be. Trading from trees to these halls has now moved to broker offices, as well as through smartphone apps, which has also increased trading hours and the number of investors, who have also grown.'
Today, the BSE is at the forefront of the financial industry, and its indices are linked to assets worth over $21 trillion as of December 31, 2025. The high legacy of the BSE in promoting a transparent market for trading various asset classes strengthens its reputation as a beacon of economic growth in India.
Affirming Ramamurthy's view, BSE Chief Strategy Officer Ruresh Kunde stated that the spirit of resilience of the BSE has allowed it to continue growing its market share, which now includes 13,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), 5,100 listed companies, and 58 mutual funds. Kunde noted: 'As one of the oldest exchanges in the world, our market share is also growing very rapidly. Although our BSE Sensex index is 40 years old, this is happening despite the unique challenges faced by the Indian economy and population; the markets have shown an inspiring ability to adapt and thrive.'