Explain what shares are and how the stock market functions as a platform for buying and selling them.

A share is a unit of ownership in a company, representing a portion of its capital stock. When you buy a share, you become a part-owner due to your investment. The more shares you own, the higher your ownership. The actual buying and selling of shares takes place at the stock exchange, a marketplace where financial securities are traded. In India, the Bombay Stock Exchange was established in 1875. Initially, share transactions were conducted manually using paper tickets, but modern exchanges use digital transactions with advanced computers. Share prices rise and fall due to various factors.