The Richest Banarasi Saree TYCOONS of VARANASI

The Banarasi saree industry is worth thousands of crores — but most people don’t know the names of its richest businessmen & tycoons.

Here are 5 of the biggest saree tycoons of Banaras — the families that quietly control India’s Banarasi saree trade:

🔸 𝗝𝗗𝗦 — Jagdish Das & Co. (Rajesh Shah) Started in 1913 as Baldev Das Sarees, JDS Banaras is considered India’s biggest Banarasi saree wholesaler — supplying 3,000+ retailers nationwide. Run by Rajesh Shah and Viresh Shah. Rajesh Shah’s wife Shruti Shah launched Sacred Weaves, taking the legacy online. Kokila Ambani and Tina Ambani have personally visited JDS for shopping.

🔸 𝗦𝗡𝗗 — Shah Narayan Das & Co. (Bharat Shah, Vivek Shah, Deepak Shah) A 110+ year old gaddi rooted in Chowk’s Thatheri Bazar since 1913. Masters of 30+ Banarasi weaving techniques. The SND Group runs multiple companies with networks from Mumbai to Delhi. Ekaya Banaras is their luxury retail outlet.

🔸 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀 (Amrit Shah) A 70+ year old manufacturing powerhouse — once wholesale, now a luxury D2C brand. Amrit Shah put Shanti Banaras on the national map with a flagship store in Mehrauli, Delhi. They supply premium fabrics to top designers like Manish Malhotra. Known for real zari and pure silk.

🔸 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺 & 𝗦𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗶 (Sanjay Wahi & Family) In the business since 1907, this Banaras saree dynasty traces roots from Lahore → Amritsar → Varanasi. Now in the 5th generation, Sanjay Wahi and his son Shrey Wahi carry the legacy. “Sautri” comes from Sanskrit and means “Weaver.” The family has supported weavers’ children’s education for 70+ years.

🔸 𝗧𝗮𝗷 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 (Saeed Ur Rahman) Master Weaver Saeed Ur Rahman founded Taj Estate in Bhelupura in 1986. Known for handwoven organza, cotton, tussar and fine silk. Sabyasachi Mukherjee has commissioned custom designs from him. He also made a saree for Anushka Sharma’s bridal trousseau. He supplies showrooms across India — and one saree can take 3–4 months to weave.