The Opium Magnates of Bombay: Wealth, British Collusion, and Moral Hypocrisy In 19th-century Bombay, Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, Byramjee Jeejeebhoy, the Parsi merchant community, Cowasjee Davar, Khatri and Marwari traders, and the early Tata family built colossal fortunes through the opium trade. Partnering with the British Empire, they exported opium to China, fueling addiction and economic ruin while reaping profits that transformed Bombay into a global hub. Their sophisticated operations, from private fleets to smuggling networks, were enabled by British naval protection and trade treaties, ensuring mutual gains. Their philanthropy—hospitals, temples, schools—masked the moral cost of their wealth, a stark hypocrisy given China’s devastation and India’s exploited farmers. By the 20th century, most faded, except the Tatas and Marwaris, who pivoted to industry. Their legacy—landmarks, institutions, archives—reflects ambition, British complicity, and ethical failure, a cautionary tale ...