| Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay)
is the state capital of Maharashtra and commercial
capital of India. In the sixteenth century
Portuguese rulers named the area Bom Bahia
which means Good Bay. The British took over
Mumbai from the Portuguese, in the year 1662.
It was a dowry gift from the Portuguese to
Charles II, then the king of England, in his
marriage with Infanta Catherine Braganza,
the Princess of Portugal. After gaining possession
of the isles; the British anglicized the name
to Bombay. |
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The city was renamed Mumbai
in 1995, the name Mumbai is derived from Mumba
Devi, after the patron goddess of the Kolis
who are the original inhabitants of Mumbai.
The Kolis called her 'Mumba Aai' (Mother Mumba).
From this word came Mumbai. The temple of
goddess Mumba Devi is still exists in Mumbai. |
| Mumbai was a cluster of seven
islands, islands namely Colaba, Smaller Colaba,
Worli, Parel, Mazgaon, Mumbadevi & Mahim,
the seven islands were merged by way of reclamation.
Ambitious projects like Town Hall, University
Library, High Court Building, Malabar Hill
water reservoir, Vihar water supply scheme,
and construction of V.T. and corporation buildings
and Gateway of India were undertaken and completed.
Market places like Crawford Market & Mulji
Mehta Market and business places like Stock
Exchange (t he Bombay Stock Exchange, the
oldest in Asia , currently ranks as the third
largest in the world) and Fort Market were
established. |
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In 1853 the first railway line
in India between Mumbai and Thane was started.
The Mumbai Suburban Railway Network extends
from Churchgate to Virar on the west, Mumbai
CST to Kasara / Karjat in Central & from
Mumbai CST to Panvel on Harbour line. |
| Mumbai has now grown into a
very large metropolitan city. It has earned
a reputation of being a main centre of trade,
commerce, communications, business, industry,
entertainment and tourism in India . No history
of Mumbai can be complete without the mention
of Bollywood , the biggest Indian film industry
which churns out hundreds of Hindi block-busters
every year and lures many young star aspirants
to the city every year. |
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Although the old Mumbai has
undergone many changes during the last four
to five decades, it has preserved its original
charm. The real beauty of this city lies in
the vivacity and diversity in its culture.
People of all regions, religions and communities
have settled here for generations and many
more come here every day for business, trade,
and tourism. Mumbai continues to charm as
a magical city of dreams and infinite possibilities. |
