**Founding and Early Years:**

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) was founded by Dhirubhai Ambani in 1966 as a small textile manufacturer. The company began its operations with a polyester mill in Naroda, Gujarat. Dhirubhai Ambani's vision and entrepreneurial spirit led to the expansion of the company, which diversified into various sectors over the years.

**Growth and Diversification:**

In the 1970s and 1980s, Reliance grew rapidly by entering the petrochemicals and refining sectors. The company established its first petrochemical plant in 1985. The 1990s marked a significant period of expansion for Reliance, with the company entering the telecommunications and information technology sectors.

**IPO and Public Presence:**

In 1977, Reliance became the first Indian company to raise capital in international markets with a global depository receipt (GDR). The company also made history by launching India's first equity cult, making its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 1977, which was oversubscribed seven times.

**Split and Growth Under Mukesh Ambani:**

After Dhirubhai Ambani's death in 2002, a family dispute led to the split of the Reliance empire in 2005 between his sons, Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani. Mukesh took control of the oil, petrochemicals, and refining businesses, while Anil took over telecom, power, and financial services.

Under Mukesh Ambani's leadership, Reliance Industries diversified further into new sectors such as retail and telecommunications. The launch of Reliance Jio in 2016 revolutionized the telecom sector in India by offering affordable 4G services, which dramatically increased data consumption across the country.

### Reliance Now

**Current Status:**

Today, Reliance Industries is one of India's largest conglomerates, with interests in various sectors including petrochemicals, refining, oil, telecommunications, and retail. It is the largest company in India by market capitalization and among the top companies globally.

**Key Businesses:**

1. **Reliance Jio:** A major player in India's telecom industry, Jio has over 400 million subscribers and has been a significant driver of digital transformation in India.

2. **Reliance Retail:** India's largest retailer, offering a wide range of products from groceries to electronics, with both physical stores and online platforms.

3. **Oil and Petrochemicals:** The Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat is the largest refining complex in the world, making RIL a key player in global energy markets.

4. **Digital Services:** RIL has been focusing on expanding its digital services through Jio Platforms, which has attracted investments from global tech giants like Facebook and Google.

**Recent Developments:**

Reliance has been actively investing in green energy, with plans to become a major player in renewable energy. The company has announced significant investments in solar power, hydrogen energy, and other clean energy technologies, aiming to make India a leader in green energy production.

Reliance's shift towards sustainability and digital services indicates a strategic pivot from traditional energy sectors, positioning itself as a global leader in the industries of the future.

Reliance Industries Limited has evolved from a small textile manufacturer to a diversified global conglomerate under the visionary leadership of the Ambani family. With its strong presence in energy, telecom, retail, and digital services, RIL continues to play a crucial role in shaping India's economic landscape.