In a country where millions toil every day for a modest living, it’s astonishing to learn about individuals who, despite not having a job or running a business, are worth lakhs—even crores. We’re talking about India’s richest beggars. These individuals have turned the act of begging—often associated with poverty—into an unexpectedly profitable lifestyle.

While many assume that begging is a last resort for the helpless, some beggars in India are living proof that appearances can be deceiving. With assets ranging from multiple flats to fixed deposits and even gold coins, their stories are nothing short of extraordinary.

Here are India’s top richest beggars and the untold truth behind their unexpected wealth.

1. Bharat Jain – The Millionaire Beggar of Mumbai

Often referred to as the richest beggar in the world, Bharat Jain is a resident of Mumbai and is over 50 years old. Despite his family owning a stationery store, Jain chooses to continue begging because he enjoys it.

• Monthly income: ₹60,000–₹75,000

• Assets: Two apartments in Mumbai worth ₹1.4 crore

• His commitment to begging, even with a comfortable lifestyle already secured, has made him a topic of international intrigue.

2. Birbichand Azad – The Coin Collector

Birbichand Azad’s story came to light only after his passing at the age of 82. A lifelong beggar in Mumbai, Azad shocked authorities with the wealth he had secretly accumulated.

• Fixed Deposits: ₹8.77 lakh

• Cash in coins: ₹1.77 lakh

• Authorities found four bags full of coins at his residence, which took six hours to count.

• He also had proper ID documentation like an Aadhaar card, PAN card, and a senior citizen card.

3. Sambhaji Kale – Family Business in Begging

Based in Mumbai's Khar area, Sambhaji Kale begs with his family of four. But don't be fooled—his daily earnings run into the thousands.

• Real estate: Two houses in Virar, a flat, and land in Solapur

• Bank savings: Several lakhs
  Sambhaji has built a significant financial cushion, proving that begging in metro cities can be unusually rewarding under certain circumstances.

4. Savitri Devi – The Independent Matriarch

Living behind Ashok Cinema in Patna, Savitri Devi defies the stereotypical image of a beggar. She manages her finances, supports her family, and even pays for her daughter's marriage.

• Annual insurance premium: ₹36,000

• Enjoys travelling by train and begging in her preferred spots
  Her story shows that financial planning and independence can exist even in the most unlikely settings.

5. Krishna Kumar – Earnings with a Routine

Krishna Kumar begs near CP Tank on Mumbai’s Charni Road. With consistent earnings of ₹1,500 per day, he managed to buy a flat where he lives with his brother.

• Daily earnings: ₹1,500

• Owns personal property despite his choice of profession
  His story shows how begging in prime city locations can provide a surprisingly stable and comfortable lifestyle.

6. Lakshmi Das – 50 Years of Strategic Begging

Starting at the age of 16, Lakshmi Das from Kolkata has spent over 50 years begging and has accumulated wealth most people wouldn’t imagine.

• Total savings: Over ₹50 lakh

• Daily income: Around ₹1,000
  Her disciplined approach to saving over the years has made her richer than many salaried professionals.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Coin in the Bowl

These stories shed light on a hidden reality of urban life in India. While begging is legally discouraged and frowned upon in many cities, these individuals have transformed it into a full-time livelihood, amassing wealth that contradicts the public perception of beggars as helpless or poor.

This doesn’t necessarily glorify the act of begging, but it does raise important questions about social systems, economic opportunity, and public perception. In some ways, these individuals are entrepreneurs of the street, navigating urban life with surprising financial acumen.