Revealed: India's richest families

Some of India's most affluent families have dominated the list of the country's 40 most wealthy individuals. Topping the Forbes list, with an estimated fortune of $20.8 billion, is Mukesh Ambani (pictured). His brother Anil, with whom he has an infamously turbulent relationship, came third with a fortune of $12.5 billion.

Second on the list is Lakshmi Mittal, head of steel giant ArcelorMittal. Despite a tough few months for his company, Mittal is still worth an estimated $20.5 billion.

Sunil Mittal, head of family-run Bharti Group, is fourth on the list with $7.9 billion. His firm announced a joint venture with Wal-Mart in August 2007 to open a chain of stores in India, the first of which will open in 2009.

Brothers Shashi & Ravi Ruia appear sixth on the list with $7.6 billion. Their telecomm company, Essar Group, owns one-third of mobile phone operator Vodafone Essar, India's third largest. Kumar Birla, second-generation head of Aditya Birla Group, is listed eighth with $5 billion.

In ninth place with a fortune of $4 billion is Adi Godrej, the third-generation head of Godrej Group, a consumer products conglomerate which makes locks, soaps, mosquito repellants, furniture and foods.

Savitri Jindal is 12th with $2.9 billion. She is the non-executive chair of OP Juindal Group, the conglomerate named after her husband and run by her four sons.

Brothers Malvinder and Shivinder Singh are 13th with $2.8 billion. They sold their stake in Ranbaxy Laboratories, a generics maker founded by their grandfather for $2 billion earlier this month. Malvinder still holds the CEO and chairman position.

Finally, Indu Jain has ranked 17th on this list with an estimated fortune of $1.8 billion. She chairs media giant Bennett, Coleman & Co which is run by sons Samir and Vineet.

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