In the late 18th century, the Marwari inhabitants of Calcutta were few in number. The influx of Marwaris in the city, started from the early 19th century. After the introduction of railways, the Marwaris started flocking here in large numbers. Most of them chose Burrabazar as their habitat. Calcutta was a dream-land for them to make money. By 1827, there was a 'Marwari Chamber of Bankers' operating in Burrabazar.

Some of the renowned Marwari families today viz. the Sarafs, the Singhanias, the Bagris, the Kotharis, the Poddars, the Dalmias, the Mundhras, the Jalans, the Dugars, the Jhunjhunwalas, the Jaipurias and the Birlas have made an impressive mark by the turn of the century. The Bengali capitalists and entrepreneurs were nearly all extinct by the 1850s. The new generation of Bengali 'babu' or gentry, relied on employment or British patronage for their sustenance. At this stage, the Marwaris with their perseverance, skill and sedulous nature, got an incentive from the British to build their fortunes.

By 1870, the Marwari businessmen were in a position to control the vital inland trade in jute and cotton-goods. They had gained a monopoly in the indigenous banking system as well. The Marwari association was founded in 1898 to promote the Marwaris socially, culturally and intellectually. The 'Marwari Chamber Of Commerce' was founded in 1901.

The Marwaris, even at the turn of the last century, had faced lot of impediments, especially, racial discrimination of the British. They had least interest in Bengal's nationalist movement or its 'buy Swadeshi' campaign. The first World War was a boon for the Marwaris as they traded, speculated and accepted contracts. Gaining a stronghold on imported cotton goods, they now shifted interests to the international jute market. They also took charge of the Calcutta Stock Exchange.

The Calcutta-based Birla brothers became the protagonists in exporting raw jute to London. In 1918-19, Swarupchand Hukumchand and G.D. Birla established jute mills in Calcutta. At this period, the Goddess of fame and fortune laughed on the Birlas and blessed them with her choicest blessings. Ghanshyamdas Birla (1894-1983), a man of immense potential, was the sole Indian to earn the membership of the London Jute Association. The British considered him with reverential awe. From this time onwards, a gradual change in the Marwari attitude towards Calcutta was conspicuous. The shifting of Indian capital from Calcutta to Delhi was perhaps the beginning of the city's tradition of non-conformism. Mahatma Gandhi appeared on the political scene at this crucial stage. Now, G.D. Birla blended superbly the philosophy of the Gita, the politics of non-violence, the patronage of Khadi and promotion of industry to hallmark a Marwari economic nationalism parallel to the mainstream of the nationalist movement. Gandhi and Birla enjoyed a very warm relationship.

Bengal, in the interim, went on declining in the political sphere. The state showed sure signs of going socialist in the sixties. Today, the Marwaris have gained fame and fortune by dint of their painstaking, sincere and industrious nature. But sadly, the Marwaris have now started to look for healthier and greener pastures in other states and cities.

The Marwaris have always sparkled with their philanthropic zeal and humanitarian principles. They have contributed immensely to the betterment of the city in all respects. They have made temples, schools, colleges, dharamsalas, hospitals, auditoriums and several charitable institutions. They have arranged for a fantastic network of drinking water posts on the city-streets. The Marwari Relief Society, founded in 1920, is noted for its outstanding service to mankind, especially the penurious, helpless and hapless lots. Again, 'Anandalok' Hospital' at Salt Lake, founded by the quintessential Deb Kumar Saraf, is rendering unprecedented medial services to the Calcuttans at mind-blowing cheap rates. Mr. D.K. Saraf is also engaged with other generous social activities like marrying poor girls to proper grooms ceremoniously, taking full care of poor, illustrious persons from various fields who are now senile and far beyond their glorious days. Anandalok also provides free ration to the poorest of the poors to help them find out a new meaning of life.

Again, the Birlas in particular, have performed some marvelous works to embellish Calcutta culturally and scientifically by making a Planetarium, a Fine Arts Gallery, a Sabhaghar or meeting-hall, an Industrial and Technological Museum, and Institute of Liberal Arts and Management Sciences and a Heart Research Centre. The Marwari women have also worked admirably in the city's intellectual, philanthropic and cultural spheres.

The Marwaris of the present generation are consciously changing their characteristics. Today, Marwaris in Calcutta may be broadly divided into 3 categories. The majority who are not very rich and of diverse mentality still reside at Burrabazar in the traditional way. Then comes the intermediate group, who are wealthy and educated and possess high aspirations in social and cultural spheres. Last, but not the least is a small, exclusive group who are very opulent and at the crest of power. They are in a commanding position in trade and commerce, industry and finance and are linked inextricably with international politics and culture. The last two groups largely live in Ballygunge, Salt Lake and Alipur.

In a nut-shell, the Marwaris of Calcutta have undergone a grand metamorphosis while transforming from a Burrabazar trader to an Indian industrialist. Indeed, they have left a profound impression with their values, traditions, food-habits, marriage customs and above all, their spiritualism or devotion, even in their pursuit of wealth.