Mumbai history

The history of Mumbai is a fascinating saga of an archipelago of seven islands transforming into one of the world's largest metropolises. Known in the colonial era as Bombay, the city has come a long way from fishing villages to becoming the financial capital of India.

Foundation and First Mentions

Originally, the territory of modern Mumbai consisted of a group of seven islands inhabited primarily by the Koli fishing communities. It was from the name of their patroness, the goddess Mumba Devi, that the city's name was derived. In the 3rd century BCE, these islands were part of the Maurya Empire under Emperor Ashoka, and later came under the control of various dynasties, including the Sultans of Gujarat. The city's European history began in 1534 when the Sultan of Gujarat ceded the islands to Portugal. The Portuguese, appreciating the convenient harbour, named the place "Bom Bahia," which means "good bay."

Key Factors of Formation

A turning point in the city's history was 1661, when the islands were transferred to the British Crown as part of the dowry of the Portuguese Princess Catherine of Braganza, who married King Charles II of England. The further development of the city was determined by several key factors:

• Transfer to the East India Company: In 1668, the British Crown leased the islands to the British East India Company for just 10 pounds in gold per year. The company quickly realised the strategic potential of the deep-water harbour and began developing a trading port and military outpost here.
• Unification of the Islands: One of the most massive engineering projects of that time was the gradual reclamation of the straits and the unification of the seven islands into a single territory. This process, completed in the 19th century, created the necessary land for the city's growth.
• Infrastructure Development: Becoming an important centre of trade, especially in cotton, Bombay developed rapidly. In 1853, the first railway line in India was laid from here, which further strengthened its economic importance.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Thanks to its status as a major port and trading centre, Bombay attracted migrants from all over India and abroad. This contributed to the formation of a unique multicultural environment where representatives of different peoples and religions, including Marathis, Gujaratis, Parsis, and Europeans, lived and worked side by side. By the end of the 19th century, the city had turned into a powerful industrial centre known for its textile mills. The status of the financial heart of India was firmly established, confirmed by the opening of the Bombay Stock Exchange and the headquarters of major banks.

Chronology of Key Events

The history of Mumbai is a journey from scattered islands to one of the most important metropolises in the world. Below are the key milestones of this amazing transformation.

• 3rd Century BCE — The seven islands that make up the territory of modern Mumbai are part of the Maurya Empire.
• 1343 — The islands come under the rule of the Muslim Sultans of Gujarat.
• 1534 — The Sultan of Gujarat cedes the islands to Portugal, which establishes a trading post here and names it "Bom Bahia" (Good Bay).
• 1661 — The islands are transferred to the British Crown as the dowry of the Portuguese Princess Catherine of Braganza, who married King Charles II of England.
• 1668 — King Charles II leases the islands to the British East India Company for 10 pounds in gold per year, marking the beginning of the city's active development.
• 1687 — The East India Company moves its headquarters from Surat to Bombay, officially cementing its status as the company's main centre in Western India.
• 1784–1845 — The massive "Hornby Vellard" engineering project is implemented to drain the marshes and unite the seven islands into a single territory.
• 1853 — The first railway line in India opens, connecting Bombay with the city of Thane, providing a powerful impetus for economic growth.
• 1869 — The opening of the Suez Canal significantly increases the strategic importance of the port of Bombay, turning it into one of the main "Gateways to India."
• 1947 — India gains independence, and Bombay becomes the capital of the state of the same name.
• 1995 — The city is officially renamed from Bombay to Mumbai to reflect its original name in honour of the goddess Mumba Devi.
• 2008 — Mumbai is subjected to a series of coordinated terrorist attacks, which became a tragic page in the modern history of the city.

The history of Mumbai is a journey from a group of fishing islands to one of the world's largest metropolises and the financial heart of India. Key transformations have shaped its modern appearance and economic power.

Major milestones in the development of Mumbai:

• Portuguese and British Periods (16th-17th centuries): In 1534, the seven islands on which the modern city is located came under the control of Portugal. In 1661, they were transferred to England as the dowry of the Portuguese Princess Catherine of Braganza, who married King Charles II. This event marked the beginning of Bombay's transformation (as the British named it) into a major trading port.
• Centre of Trade (18th-19th centuries): The British East India Company leased the islands and began actively developing a trading factory here due to the deep natural harbour. In the 19th century, especially after the opening of the Suez Canal, the city became the main port for the cotton trade, which gave a powerful impetus to its economic growth.
• Urban Planning Transformations (19th century): In 1862, a massive project to unite the seven islands into a single territory was implemented. This allowed the city to expand. During this same period, the first railway line in India was built (1853), connecting Bombay to the mainland and strengthening its status as a transport hub.
• Rise as an Industrial Centre (late 19th - early 20th centuries): The textile industry actively developed in the city, followed by mechanical engineering. Bombay became a centre for the formation of the Indian national bourgeoisie and the labour movement, playing an important role in the struggle for the country's independence.
• Entertainment Capital: In the 20th century, the city became the centre of the nascent Indian film industry, which gained worldwide fame as Bollywood. This strengthened its cultural significance and created thousands of jobs.
• Financial Capital of Independent India (after 1947): After India gained independence, Bombay continued its development as the country's main economic centre. The headquarters of major banks, the Bombay Stock Exchange, and offices of leading corporations are located here.
• Renaming to Mumbai (1995): As part of a campaign to shed the colonial legacy, the city was officially renamed Mumbai. The name comes from the name of the local goddess Mumba Devi.
• Economic Boom and Globalisation (1990s - present): Economic liberalisation in India gave a new impulse to the city's development. Mumbai has become a global hub in the fields of information technology, finance, and outsourcing, attracting investment from all over the world and confirming its status as one of Asia's leading metropolises.

The architectural appearance of Mumbai is a unique blend of styles reflecting its rich history from a colonial trading post to a modern metropolis. Urban planning here developed in waves, each leaving behind iconic buildings and entire districts.

Colonial Legacy: Victorian Gothic and Indo-Saracenic Style

In the second half of the 19th century, during the heyday of the British Empire, Mumbai (then Bombay) experienced a construction boom. This period gifted the city with two monumental styles:

• Victorian Neo-Gothic: Inspired by the medieval cathedrals of Europe, this style symbolised the power and grandeur of the empire. Characteristic features include pointed arches, high towers, stained glass, and intricate decoration. The brightest examples are the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus), which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Bombay High Court building. These structures shaped the city's image as the "Gothic capital" of India.
• Indo-Saracenic Style: In search of a style that would combine British influence with local traditions, architects created the Indo-Saracenic style. It combines elements of European, Hindu, and Mughal architecture, using domes, carved balconies (jharokhas), pavilions (chhatris), and openwork lattices. Key monuments of this style are the famous Gateway of India and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly the Prince of Wales Museum).

The Art Deco Era

In the 1930s and 1940s, Mumbai was swept by the global trend for the Art Deco style. This style, which replaced the opulence of the Victorian era, was distinguished by strict geometry, streamlined forms, and smooth facades. Along Marine Drive and around the Oval Maidan, entire blocks of residential buildings, offices, and cinemas rose in this style. The uniqueness of Mumbai's Art Deco lies in the addition of Indian motifs, which gave rise to a local variant called "Indo-Deco." Today, the ensemble of Victorian Gothic and Art Deco buildings in Mumbai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, demonstrating two successive phases of the city's urban modernisation.

Modernism and Contemporary Architecture

After India gained independence, Mumbai's architecture took a turn towards modernism. The main principles became functionality, the use of reinforced concrete, and simple forms. During this period, the development of reclaimed lands began, along with the formation of new business districts such as Nariman Point with its high-rise office buildings. Modern Mumbai continues to grow upwards. Old industrial zones, for example, the Lower Parel area, are being transformed into trendy spaces with skyscrapers, shopping centres, and luxury apartments, symbolising the city's status as a global financial hub.

Notable People Connected to Mumbai

For centuries, Mumbai has acted like a magnet, attracting talented and ambitious people who have left an indelible mark not only on the history of the city but on all of India. Industrialists, politicians, scientists, and artists have worked here, shaping the unique character of this metropolis.

• Jamsetji Tata (1839–1904) — An industrialist and philanthropist, rightfully considered the "Father of Indian Industry." The founder of the Tata Group, he laid the economic foundation of modern Mumbai. One of his most famous projects was the construction of the legendary Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, which remains a symbol of the city today.
• Dadabhai Naoroji (1825–1917) — A prominent public and political figure, and one of the founders of the Indian National Congress. A native of Bombay, he became the first Indian elected to the British House of Commons. Naoroji was a key figure in the Indian independence movement and dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of Indians.
• Homi Jehangir Bhabha (1909–1966) — A distinguished nuclear physicist who played a central role in the development of the Indian nuclear programme. Born in Bombay, he founded the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (1945) and the Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay (1957), which today bears his name. His contribution to science made India one of the leading nuclear powers.
• Raj Kapoor (1924–1988) — A legendary actor, director, and producer, the "King of Indian Cinema." His studio, R.K. Films, founded in Mumbai, released many cult films such as "Awaara" and "Shree 420." Kapoor shaped the golden age of Bollywood and made Indian cinema famous worldwide, including in the Soviet Union.
• Sachin Tendulkar (born 1973) — One of the greatest cricketers in history, born and raised in Mumbai. Nicknamed the "God of Cricket," he is a national hero and a symbol of India's sporting spirit. Throughout his career, he represented his home team, Mumbai.
• Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) — A world-famous writer, poet, and the first British Nobel Prize laureate in Literature. He was born in Bombay, and the atmosphere of India had a huge influence on his work, including the famous "The Jungle Book."
• Salman Rushdie (born 1947) — A British writer of Indian origin and a Booker Prize laureate. He was born in Bombay, and the city became the central character of his famous novel "Midnight's Children," in which the history of Mumbai is intertwined with the fate of independent India.