Rajasthan's greatest contribution to the country's economy has been in the field of Human Resources.

The term Marwari is a misnomer. Literally speaking, it signifies a person from the Marwar(Jodhpur) region of Rajasthan, although the majority of Rajasthan's businessmen are from the Shekhavati belt.

Late Mr. G.D.Birla - One of India's foremost industrialists hails from the Shekhavati region.

However, colloquially it has come to denote emigrant businessmen from the vicinity of Rajasthan.

Traditionally, traders par excellence, they migrated from their home state way back in the 16th century and established trading outposts as far away as Assam - the eastern corner of India. With their ingrained thrift and perseverance (in those days, people had to walk miles and miles over scorching sands for a pot of water!) and business acumen, they soon converted these small businesses into industrial empires.

Today, the marwaris dominate India's business and economy. As an American sociologist put it, "more than half the assets in the modern sector of the Indian economy are controlled by the trading castes originating in the northern half of Rajasthan."