Bombay Stock Exchange, the oldest stock exchange in Asia, was established in 1875 as the Native Share and Stock Brokers Association at Dalal Street [ Get Quote ] in Mumbai [ Images ]. A lot has changed since then when 318 persons became members upon paying Re 1.

In 1956, the BSE obtained permanent recognition from the Government of India -- the first stock exchange to do so -- under the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956.

The Sensex, first compiled in 1986, is a 'Market Capitalisation-Weighted' Index of 30 component stocks representing a sample of large and financially sound companies. The BSE-Sensex is the benchmark index of the Indian capital markets.

The BSE Sensex comprises these 30 stocks: ACC, Bajaj Auto [ Get Quote ], Bharti Tele, BHEL, Cipla, Dr Reddy's, Gujarat Ambuja [ Get Quote ], Grasim [ Get Quote ], HDFC [ Get Quote ], HDFC Bank, Hero Honda [ Images ], Hindalco [ Get Quote ], HLL [ Get Quote ], ICICI Bank [ Get Quote ], Infosys [ Get Quote ], ITC, L&T, Maruti [ Get Quote ], NTPC, ONGC [ Get Quote ], Ranbaxy [ Get Quote ], Reliance, Reliance Energy [ Get Quote ], Satyam [ Get Quote ], SBI [ Get Quote ], Tata Motors [ Get Quote ], Tata Power [ Get Quote ], TCS [ Get Quote ], Tata Motors and Wipro [ Get Quote ].

The Sensex on Monday scaled a new high as it breached the historic 10,000 mark* during mid-session.

Here's a timeline on the rise and rise of the Sensex through Indian stock market history.

The 1000-mark

On July 25 1990, the Sensex touched the magical four-digit figure for the first time and closed at 1,001 in the wake of a good monsoon and excellent corporate results.

The 2000-mark

On January 15, 1992, the Sensex crossed the 2,000-mark and closed at 2,020 followed by the liberal economic policy initiatives undertaken by the then finance minister and current Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh [ Images ].

The 3000-mark

On February 29, 1992, the Sensex surged past the 3000 mark in the wake of the market-friendly Budget announced by the then Finance Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh.

The 4000-mark

On March 30, 1992, the Sensex crossed the 4,000-mark and closed at 4,091 on the expectations of a liberal export-import policy. It was then that the Harshad Mehta scam hit the markets and Sensex witnessed unabated selling.

The 5000-mark

On October 8, 1999, the Sensex crossed the 5,000-mark as the BJP-led coalition won the majority in the 13th Lok Sabha election.

The 6000-mark

On February 11, 2000, the infotech boom helped the Sensex to cross the 6,000-mark and hit and all time high of 6,006.

The 7000-mark

On June 20, 2005, the news of the settlement between the Ambani brothers boosted investor sentiments and the scrips of RIL [ Get Quote ], Reliance Energy, Reliance Capital [ Get Quote ] and IPCL [ Get Quote ] made huge gains. This helped the Sensex crossed 7,000 points for the first time.

The 8000-mark

On 8th September 2005, the Bombay Stock Exchange's [ Images ] benchmark 30-share index -- the Sensex -- crossed the 8000 level following brisk buying by foreign and domestic funds in early trading.

The 9000-mark

The Sensex on November 28, 2005 crossed the magical figure of 9000 to touch 9000.32 points during mid-session at the Bombay Stock Exchange on the back of frantic buying spree by foreign institutional investors and well supported by local operators as well as retail investors.

The 10,000-mark *

The Sensex on Monday crossed the magical figure of 10,000 and touched a life-time peak of 10,003 points during mid-session at the Bombay Stock Exchange on the back of frantic buying spree by foreign institutional investors and well supported by local operators as well as retail investors.

* During mid-session trading.