Mumbai at a Glance, Aamchi Mumbai, The Economic Capital of India (Mumbai), History of Mumbai, Mumbai tourism, Travel Mumbai

Mumbai is a very large city of Modern India. The story of Mumbai is quite enthralling and unique. It is because of this unique identity people fall in love with this beautiful city. People like to visit Mumbai and enjoy the colorful material world here, at least one in life.

The life in Mumbai is not at all a monotonous one. It is always oscillates like a pendulum between two extreme standards of living. It is generous, luxurious, glamorous, extravagant and at the same time poor, hopeless and filthy as well. In reality the glamour of Mumbai is deceptive and delirious.

Because of the vivid nature of Mumbai is a very distinguished Marathi poet Patthe Bapurao has rightly compared this city with Lanka, the most fascinating capital city of Ravana during Ramayana period. Truly, Mumbai has a beauty and glory of its own. It is matchless and everlasting. It is beyond words and imagination.

Mumbai has earned name and fame in the world ever since the British took over this city form the Portuguese, in the year 1662. Mumbai came to British by a coincidence. It was dowery gift form Portuguese to Charles II, the King of England, in his marriage with Infanta Catherine Braganza, the Princess of Portugal. British being staunch traders, wisely developed Mumbai as an ideal port. The era of endless development of the city as an urban center began later around 1850.
History of Mumbai is quite interesting. It was a cluster of sever islands till it came in the possession of British. The seven Islands were inhabited by different fishing tribes called Kolis. They were the traditional habitant of these islands since ancient period. The Koli communities are still there in Mumbai, spread over different koliwada. Sion Koliwada, Thane Koliwada, Versova koliwada, Khar Danda, Mahim Koliwada are the prominent and popular amongst them. The seven islands namely Colaba, Smaller Colaba, Worli, Parel, and Mazgoan, Mumbadevi and Mahim were in possession of Aryans from north India for a very long period. They ruled over these islands for about a thousand years. Then came the Mouryas and Satvahanas followed by Silaharas and Yadvas.

Among the seven islands, Colaba, Mazgoan and, Mahim were comparatively large and prominent. Mahim was the only island where trade and business activities flourished in the historic period. Mahim in 13th century was a Capital place of Raja Bhimdeo, a Hindu ruler. He named this Mahim Island as Mahikavati in the year 1294 and took keen interest in its all-round development. He built roads, palaces, temples, law courts in Mahikavati and made it a prominent trading port on the western coast of India. The trading facilities provided by Raja Bhimdeo attracted many foreign traders, such as Arabs, Christians and Jews. They came to Mahikavati for their interest in trade activities but later on settled down here after realizing the favorable conditions for their trade. But the conditions started deteriorating around 1347.

The Muslim invaders from adjacent part of Gujarat launched series of attacks on Mahikavati and ultimately succeeded in capturing the islands from the rulers. Thus began the Muslim rule over these islands. During this period only, the Muslims from the neighboring Konkan area began to settle down in Mumbai.

Portuguese were the first Europeans who landed on these islands in 1509. They were shrewd tradesmen had a good foresight. They skillfully managed to established cordial relation with the political power ruling the western coast. But the Muslim regime over the islands of Mumbai soon started facing problems as the Mughals posed a great challenge before them. Portuguese joined hands with Muslims in their fight with Mughals. But the Muslim rule came to an end and Mumbai ultimately was taken over by Portuguese as per their mutual treaty. Finally the Portuguese rule over the island of Mumbai commenced from 1534. Thereafter the Dutch and the British also made their way to Mumbai for trade and commerce. Malabaris from the coastal area of Kerala also migrate to Mumbai during the period. Their soul intension was to keep an eye on the Merchant Ships coming to Mumbai Harbour and plunder the treasure on these ships. They used fir their purpose a strategic point on the hill of Walkeshwar. The hill thereafter gradually came to be called as Malabar hill.

Portuguese ruled Mumbai for about hundred and twenty five years. British did have an eye on Mumbai Island but could not take it over from Portuguese. But ultimately they could bag this precious island after the marriage of King Charles II with Portuguese Princess Catherine Breganza. This event gave a broad base for the British rule which took firm hold of India in the later period.


The name Mumbai, however, is derived form the Mumba Devi, the Patron goddess of the Kolis, and the main habitant community of the islands. The Kolis called her ‘Mumba Aai’ (Mother Mumba). From this word came Mumbayi. But the British started calling these islands as Bombay. The name remained in Practice till recent years. But, now it has been changed to original name Mumbai. The temple of goddess Mumba Devi is still there in Mumbai and the area around the temple is popularly known as Mumba Devi area.

Although the British initially built forts, docks, a huge customs house and other building, the real development of Mumbai as a magnificent city began around 1857, the year of Indian Mutiny. Since the British suffered a major setback due to this massive revolt against their political ambition to rule India, they shifted their center of political movement to the much safer place like Mumbai. They then felt the urgent need of changing the face Mumbai to meet the growing demands of their political strategy. Thus began the era of development in Mumbai.

In 1853 the first railway line in India between Mumbai and Thane was already launched. Thereafter Mumbai was connected to Calcutta by a long road link. In 1862 the seven islands were amalgamated by way of reclamation. Ambitious project like Town Hall University Library, High court building, Malabar hill water reservoir, Vihar water supply scheme, construction of V.T. and Corporation buildings and Gateway of India were undertaken and completed one after another. The Marine Drive Scheme was completed later in1945. Simultaneously and effective transport system was launched by starting tram service. Local trains started plying between V.T. – Kalyan and Churchgate – Virar. Roads were widened; hospitals, collages, and theatres were built. Market places like Crawford Market and Mulji Jetha Market, business places like Stock exchange and Fort Market were established.

The contribution and sacrifice made by the city and its people during the freedom movement, under the leadership Lokmanya Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi, was tremendous and most valuable. The people of this city not only took a part in the freedom movement but also witnessed historic moments of crucial period. The foundation of Indian National Congress, ‘Quit India Movement’ the ‘Non Cooperation Movement’, the Non violent Satyagrahas, death of Lokmanya Tilak and his major historic political trials are few of them which ought to be mentioned here with pride and honor. Mumbai was also the main battlefield for the Goa Mukti movement and formation of Maharashtra after India became independent. It has been, in fact, a prominent center of all major political, social, cultural and trade union movements before and after the independence period.

After the formation of Maharashtra as a new state in 1960, Mumbai had an honor to become the Capital city of Maharashtra.The state Govt., of Maharashtra, during last three decades has taken number of policy decisions to divert the ever increasing pressure of the growing population on the civic administration of the city. The Govt. has already developed a twin city, the Navi Mumbai, in the vicinity of Vashi – Belapur Belt.

A lot has been said and written about Mumbai in different ways in different media. However, the life of Mumbai is still a mystery for every one. In reality the city is a magic city, where dreams are sown and grown. There are dream merchants too, who crop them ruthlessly. Mumbai has so many faces and facets. In reality, you see Mumbai as you dream about it. It is beautiful and ugly, gay and painful, mystic and superficial. Still the city attracts any one and everyone.

"Welcome to the World of Aamchi Mumbai" Alias BOMBAY.............