Mumbai, India. City of Contrasts

Mumbai, India. City of Contrasts

India’s most populated city, Mumbai, has over 20 million residents. It is not only the capital of the State of Maharashtra, it is also India’s business capital and home to the $3.4 billion Hindi film industry, Bollywood.

The most striking feature about this city at first glance is the contrast between India’s rich and poor; posh residential colonies and modern apartments stand next to slums. However, if you look beyond the obvious you will find a city with a heart, cosmopolitan outlook and a vibrant atmosphere that truly encapsulates modern India.

History
The Koli fisher folk were the earliest inhabitants (from 2 B.C.) of the seven islands that make up Mumbai. The city is in fact named after the Koli goddess Mumba. The ruling power changed hands several times. Hindu rulers in the 6th century, Muslim kings from the neighbouring state Gujarat in the 14th century and the Portuguese in 1534. Subsequently, the islands were handed over to the British as part of the dowry for the Portuguese Princess Catherina Braganza’s marriage to Charles II in 1661.

The East India Company leased the islands from the British Government in 1668 and it was at this time that the Portuguese name Bom Bahai (good port) was changed to Bombay. After Indian independence, when the states were divided by linguistic areas in 1961 Bombay became Maharashtra’s capital. The city’s name was changed back to the Marathi version Mumbai in 1996, keeping with the pro Maratha sentiments of the local leaders....more

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