Siddhivinayak Temple

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About Mumbai

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About Mumbai

About Mumbai
Widespread explanation of the origin of the traditional English name Bombayholds that it was derived from a Portuguese name meaning "good bay".
In 1534, the Portuguese appropriated the islands from Bahadur Shah of Gujarat. They were ceded to Charles II of England in 1661, as dowry for Catherine de Braganza.

Artifacts found near Kandivali in northern Mumbai indicate that these islands had been inhabited since the Stone Age, the city was founded by Portuguese andBritish colonists in the 17th century.

Documented evidence of human habitation dates back to 250 BCE, when it was known as Heptanesia (Ptolemy) (Ancient Greek: A Cluster of Seven Islands).
These seven islands of Bombay were joined together into one landmass through three centuries of reclamation.  The British undertook land-filling and draining of the marshlands, developing a modern port and city, which attracted migrant workers from across India.  This one island is now 436 square kilometers in area (approximately 170 square miles), and is connected to the mainland by several bridges.

As a new millennium begins, the city is spreading over these bridges into the mainland Mumbai, India, formerly known as Bombay, the nation's largest city. Maharashtra state was formed with Mumbai as its capital on May 1, 1960.The city was officially renamed Mumbai in 1995. Mumbai lies on India's west coast in the state of Maharashtra. It lies at the tip of a peninsula facing the Arabian Sea. Hot, humid weather prevails during most of the year. Mumbai also has a diverse population, representing numerous ethnic groups.

Mumbai is one of India's leading manufacturing cities, producing textiles, especially cottons; motor vehicles; chemicals; machinery; and processed foods. Printing and the making of motion pictures are also important activities. With major banks and the largest stock exchange in India, Mumbai is also a leading financial and commercial center. The city's busy port handles much of India's foreign trade.

History Of Mumbai

HISTORY OF MUMBAI ( INDIA)

Bombay was originally a cluster of seven Koli islands inhabited by fishermen.  These islands were a part of Gujarat. When the Muslim ruler Sultan Muhamed Begada captured the islands, Bombay was till then  inhabited by the Hindus.Vasco da Gama a Portuguese was the first man to discover the sea route To Bombay. After repeated attacks, the Sultan of Gujarat handed over the islands to the Portuguese in 1534.The Portuguese could not find any use for them and in1661, The island of Bombay was given to Charles 11 of England as part of the dowry when he got married  to Catherine of Braganza., sister of the Portuguese king.

                            A few years later Charles 11 took possession of the remaining islands. In 1668,

the East India Company a trading company based in Surat (Gujarat), 

took over on lease the island of Bombay due to its strategic location and port advantage,Bombay

Soon became an important trading port. Development and reclamation started and the then 

Governor Gerald Aungier (1672-1677) encouraged business men from all over to come and settle.

Historians have given him the title of "Father of Bombay" 

because it was in this period Bombay boomed. to become a prime commercial centre..

The Zorastrian Parsis were the first to arrive and settle and build their first tower of silence in 1675. Many streets are named after successful Parsi businessmen, industrialist and philanthropists.  Among them the Tata’s are most famous.  Air India was set up by JRD Tata and Hotel TajMahal stands as a great memorial to his father.  Then came the Hindus, Goan Catholics, and the Muslims. In 1687 the presidency of the East India Company shifted from Surat to Bombay  And finally in 1708 Bombay became it’s headquarter. By the 18th century the population had grown and basic amenities and public services introduced  like piped water supply, Hospitals, Railways ,Tramcars, Courts , Mint, etc.  The Victoria Terminus Railway Station was made in 1887, designed by F. W. Stevens and built in  Gothic style.

Till today it is one of the most imposing and impressive structures and 

the credit for this plus other Gothic structures goes to the then governor Sir Bartle Frere who 

took a keen interest in the making of Bombay. Most of the impressive buildings were made 

between the years 1860-1900 like the GPO, Offices, Banks, Tourist offices and two of the 

Main railway stations .By 1862 the seven islands had joined together to form one huge mass of land.

The arrival of the Great Indian Peninsular Railways signaled improved communications.

The American civil war gave a further boost to the cotton and textile industry, which emerged as  The main manufacturing activity. With the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 Bombay prospered as  An International port, and reinforced its position as a major commercial and industrial center in India. When India became Independent in 1947 Bombay became the capital of Bombay state.  In 1960 Bombay state was dissolved and the state of Maharashtra came into being,  with Bombay as its state capital.In 1995 Bombay changed its name to Mumbai.  The name Mumbai is derived from "Mumbadevi" the patron goddess of the Koli fisher folks,  the earliest known inhabitants.