15 main events in Ambani family's rise to the top

1957

A return from Aden and start of an empire


Dhirubhai Ambani returns from Aden after working for a trading and oil bunkering port A. Besse and Co. This marked a start of the Ambani era.

1966

The birth of Reliance


In 1960s, Dhirubhai and his cousin Champaklal Damani co-founded Reliance Commercial Corporation which was into polyester business. In 1965, the partnership ended but Dhirubhai continued the business.

1977

Reliance goes public


Dhirubhai Ambani made its initial public offering (IPO) on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The issue was subscribed seven times.

1985

A name change

Reliance Textiles Industries Ltd was renamed as Reliance Industries Ltd

1996

First private company to be listed internationally

In 1996, international credit rating agencies rated RIL as it became the first private sector company in India.

1995-1996

Reliance entered the telecom industry


Between the year 1995-96, Reliance in a joint venture with NYNEX entered the telecom sector as Reliance Telecom Private Limited

1998-1999

Reliance Gas


Reliance introduced packaged LPG Gas cylinder under the brand: Reliance Gas

2001

Milestones achieved

In this year, Reliance Industries Ltd. and Reliance Petroleum Ltd was among one of India's largest companies.

2002

Major gas discovery

Reliance discovered gas in the Krishna Godavari basin which was India's first discovery by a private sector firm. 

2005-2006

Four major entities

In these two years, the company came to spotlight in four different sectors: power generation, power distribution, financial services and telecommunications.

2006

Reliance enters retail market


Reliance marked its entry into organised retail market in India with the launch of 'Reliance Fresh'.

2010

Reliance Broadband

Reliance entered the broadband sector with Infotel broadband services limited.

2010


Oil and gas business

In the same year, Reliance announced partnership with Bharat Petroleum.

2013

Retail stores

In March 2013, Reliance Retail had as much as 1466 stores across the nation. The business was then the largest in India with brands like Reliance Footprint, Reliance Trends, Reliance Digital and Reliance Home Kitchen among others.

2016

Reliance Jio

Reliance Jio, a telecom venture with Mukesh Ambani's children Isha and Akash as directors became an overnight success. Mukesh Ambani launched Jio at the AGM on 1 September in 2016, with free Jio voice calling, messaging and roaming. Data plans were offered at 1/10th of the existing market prices.