Sensex has started at 100 in 1979 and has given tremendous returns since then. It just shows how much a long term investor with patience can gain. Right knowledge is also a key factor to succeed.

Date Sensex 1 Year Return
1979100
1980 12928.57%
1981173 34.90%
1982 218 25.52%
1983 212 -2.85%
1984 245 15.99%
1985 354 44.24%
1986 574 62.24%
1987 510 -11.10%
1988 398 -21.94%
1989 714 79.13%
1990 781 9.45%
1991 1,168 49.54%
1992 4,285 266.88%
1993 2,281 -46.78%
1994 3,779 65.71%
1995 3,261 -13.71%
1996 3,367 3.24%
1997 3,361 -0.17%
1998 3,893 15.82%
1999 3,740 -3.92%
2000 5,001 33.73%
2001 3,604 -27.93%
2002 3,469 -3.75%
2003 3,049 -12.12%
2004 5,591 83.38%
2005 6,493 16.14%
2006 11,280 73.73%
2007 13,073 15.89%
2008 15,644 19.68%
2009 9,709 -37.94%
2010 17,528 80.54%
2011 19,445 10.94%
2012 17,404 -10.49%