6 amazing facts on the Bombay Stock Exchange or BSE

Largest number of companies listed

The Bombay Stock Exchange has the largest number of listed companies in the world of more than 5000. However, only as many as 3000 shares are actively traded.

Humble roots

Trading on the Bombay Stock Exchange was conducted under the Banyan Tree in 1955. Today, the stock exchange building or Jeejeebhoy Towers has become a landmark in the City of Mumbai.

 

BSE

The Bombay Stock Exchange was established as The Native Share & Stock Brokers' Association in 1875, which was later changed to BSE. The street housing the exchange is still called Dalal street.

Bomb destruction

In March 1993 a powerful car bomb exploded in the basement of the Bombay Stock Exchange building. The 28-story office building housing the exchange was severely damaged, and many nearby office buildings also suffered some damage.

First stock to be traded

The first stock to be traded was that of the Dutch East India Company.

Most widely tracked index

BSE's popular equity index, the Sensex or the S&P BSE Sensex is India's most widely tracked stock market benchmark index.