Number of words: 79

The Chettys of Madras have also been leaders in business, and banking especially, from ancient times. The word ‘Chetty’ is derived from the Sanskrit ‘Shreshthi,’ the leader of a merchant guild. The common appellation ‘Seth’ is also derived from ‘Shreshthi.’ The Madras Chettys have not only played an important part in south India, but they spread out all over Burma, even in the remoter villages.

Excerpted from pages 363 of ‘Jawaharlal Nehru The Discovery of India, by Jawaharlal Nehru