Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay), is the world’s most populous conurbation, and is the sixth most populous agglomeration in the world. Mumbai is located on the west coast of India and is the capital of the state of Maharashtra. The city is located on an island with a deep natural harbour and is the nation’s commercial capital. The name was officially changed from Bombay to Mumbai in 1995, but the former name is still popularly used in the West and by many of the city's inhabitants.
Mumbai (Bombay) | |
| Classification | Metropolitan City |
| Country | India |
| State | Maharashtra |
| Languages | English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and others |
| Time zone | UTC +5:30 (IST) |
| Significance | Largest metropolitan city in India |
| Population |
|
| Literacy Rate |
77.38 % (2001) |
| Area | 437.77 km2 |
| Coastal Length | 140 km |
| Latitude |
18.96 ° N 72.82 ° E |
| Altitude | 8 metres average |
| Temperature |
27 °C to 36 °C |
| Rainfall | 1800 - 2400 mm |
| Dial Code | 22 |
Origin of name
The city's eponym is derived from the local Hindu goddess Mumbadevi. In the 16th c., the Portuguese named the area Bom Bahia which means Good Bay. The name was later corrupted to Bomaím. After gaining possession of the isles, the British anglicised the name to Bombay. The city was renamed to Mumbai in 1995.
History
Early history
The city originally consisted of seven little isles. It was part of the kingdom of Ashoka and then various Hindu rulers of the Silhara dynasty until 1343, when it was annexed by the kingdom of Gujerat.
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European arrivals
In 1534 the Portuguese took the islands from Bahadur Shah of Gujarat. The islands remained in their hands until 1661, when it ceded as the dowry of Catherine de Braganza to Charles II of England. He, in turn leased it to the British East India Company in 1668 for £10 per annum. The company found the deep harbour at Bombay eminently apposite, and the population rose from 10,000 in 1661 to 60,000 by 1675. In 1687, the East India Company transferred their headquarters there from Surat.
Growth of the city
Completed in 1784, the Hornby Vellard was the first of the engineering projects aimed at joining the seven islands. William Hornby, then Governor of Bombay, initiated the project in 1782 despite opposition from the directors of the East India Company. The cost of the vellard was estimated at Rs. 100,000.
From 1817 the city was reshaped with large civil engineering projects merging the seven islands into one single mass of around 435 km² by 1845. In 1853 the country's first railway link completed, between Bombay and Thana. The city remained in Company hands until after the Revolt of 1857 when it was taken by the Crown.
The city's economy got a major boost during the American Civil War, (1861–1865) with the city becoming the world's chief cotton market. In 1869, the opening up of the Suez Canal, shortened the time between the city and Europe and developed into a major port.
Up to the end of the Second World War, Bombay covered only about 67 km² of land from Colaba in the south to Mahim and Sion in the north. The city witnessed large scale Hindu-Muslim riots just before India's independence in 1947.
Post independence
In 1950, the city expanded northward with the inclusion of portions of Salsette Island, and by 1957 a number of suburban towns — including Bandra, Andheri, Malad & Borivali — and some villages of Thane were incorporated into Greater Bombay, with an area of 169 square miles (434 square kilometres).
In 1960, the city became the capital of the new state of Maharashtra. A series of land reclamations from the sea in the 1970s and the mushrooming of sky-scrapers reinforced the city's status as the premier city of the country. In 1992 large scale Hindu-Muslim riots affected the entire city. In March 1993 simultaneous bombings of the city's institutions killed 300. Since the early 2000s the city's urbs primus status has been been challenged by New Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad.
- See also: Growth of Mumbai
The city limits
The city originally extended from the southern tip of the peninsula to the Mahim and Sion Creeks in the north. This region was called Old Bombay (the downtown area), and the area north of this was called Greater Bombay. Old Bombay being a city didn't have a district capital, whereas a capital was created in the largely semi-urban uptown Greater Bombay. However with the population boom, the city limits were expanded up to Dahisar in the north and Mulund in the northeast.
The terms Old and Greater Bombay are almost archaic. It is now more commonly known as town and suburbs respectively. The terms townie and burbie are used to refer to populace of the two regions. Despite the blurring of boundaries, highway milestones are still calibrated keeping Flora Fountain in South Bombay as the starting point of the city.
Residents of the neighbouring townships of Mira Road, Thané and the satellite city of New Bombay often refer to themselves as city residents, although technically they are not, often creating confusion in the minds of outsiders.
Geography and climate
Mumbai spans an area 438 km² the city is on a peninsula on the island of Salcette. Because of this, the Mumbai is often called the Island city. The city is spread linearly along the Arabian Sea coast. Having a warm and humid tropical climate, the city averages a pleasant 27°C annually.
The land
The city used to be seven hilly isles. When the isles were merged to form a monolithic island, these hills were razed and used to fill the shallows. Partly because of this, some parts of the city lie below sea level. Many parts of the city are still hilly. The highest point in the city is about 450 m and lies in the Powai-Kanheri range in the Borivali National Park. The city lies on a major fault line and is earthquake prone (up to a magnitude of 6). The geology of the area shows that the islands are composed of black basalt rock.
- See also: PIN codes of Mumbai
Climate
The city being adjacent to water, the temperature changes are not as drastic as those inland. Mumbai enjoys its monsoon showers from June to September with the annual rainfall being around 216 cm. The city experiences light fog in the northern reaches of the city in Dec/Jan. Hailstones are rare. The lowest recorded temperature is 7°C (in 1962), the highest, 42°C. Temperatures (max/min): Jan: 25/12°C May: 35/28°C July: 30/26°C Oct: 38/23°C.
- See also: Breakup of Monthly weather
Government
- Mayor: Devlé Mahadev Bhagoji (as of March 10, 2002)
- Municipal Commissioner: Johny Joseph (as of February 29, 2004)
- Police Commissioner: Anami Narayan Roy (as of February 5, 2004)
- Sheriff: Dr Jagannathrao Hegdé (as of December 22,2003)
- Collector: Pradeep Vyas
The city is run by a municipal corporation, the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) which takes care of the civic duties. The head of the corporation is the Mayor. Although he is voted to power, his role is largely ceremonial. The person with the actual executive powers is the Municipal Commissioner, an IAS officer.
The city has its own police department, the Mumbai Police. The Police Commissioner heads the police force, and is appointed by the state government. Since the city is also composed of two districts, two District Collectors are also appointed. Their role is largely curtailed as compared to their rural counterparts. Their job is to approve new construction and oversee national elections.
- See also: Administrative divisions of Mumbai
Economy
As the country's commercial capital, Mumbai houses the headquarters of almost all major companies. The Reserve Bank of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange, forms the heart of commercial India and is situated in South Bombay. The city contributes 40% of India's income tax, and Rs. 40,000 crores (9 billion US $) as annual corporate tax; the highest in the country. Mumbai is also the epicentre of India's film industry — Bollywood, which is the largest in the world in terms of the number of films produced annually.
- See also: Telecom companies in Mumbai
Transportation
Most of the city inhabitants rely on public transportation to travel to their workplace. Public buses and trains handle most of this traffic.
External Transportation
- International Airport: Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport (formerly Sahar International Airport)
- Domestic Airport: Santacruz Airport.
- Railway: Mumbai houses the headquarters of Western Railway and Central Railway wherefrom long-distance trains embark to distant parts of India. The main stations are Bombay Central railway station (Western Railway) and Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus).
Internal Transportation
- The Mumbai suburban railway consisting of the Central and Western Railway's suburban network running around 1000 trains daily.
- BEST buses.
- Yellow and black metered taxis.
- 3 wheeled Auto rickshaws in the suburbs.
- Ferry services to Uran, JNPT and Alibag.
- Trams were abandoned on 31 March, 1964.
- Hovercraft servies too were abandoned in the late 90's due to high operational costs.
- Helicopter services from Bombay to Bombay High. Are seldom used for intra city transportation due to noise pollution.
See also: Railway stations in Bombay
People
A resident of the city may be called either a Bombayite or a Mumbaikar. Within the city, people often correlate themselves to the nearest railway station on the suburban railway network where they live or work.
Most of the citizens of Mumbai are very liberal and open-minded. This is in stark contrast to the other, more conservative Indian cities. The city dwellers lead a very fast paced life with very little time for other activities. Partly because of this, the residents have developed an indifferent attitude to the problems facing the country and the city. However there are many citizens who take immense pride in the upkeep and development of the city. Most of the city's inhabitants are knowledgeable and keep abreast of national and international events.
Languages
The most common language spoken on the city streets is a mutated form of Hindi, known as Bambaiya Hindi; a mix of Hindi, Marathi, English and a few invented colloquial words. While Marathi is the official language of the state of Maharashtra, is not as widely spoken as Hindi. English is also extensively spoken and understood by most of the inhabitants. It is also the principal language spoken amongst the city's white collar workforce. Other spoken languages are Gujarati and Tamil.
Religion
Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains, Buddhists and Jews all call the city their home. The citizens are secular minded and there exists a close communal harmony between the various religions.
Culture
Mumbai has spawned a whole new urban culture of it own. The metropolis has its own local fast food consisting of vada pavs and bhelpuri. City residents have their own unique tastes in cuisine, music, films and literature, both Indian and international. The city artistically blends western and Indian celebrations and festivals which are celebrated by one and all.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Mumbai
Education
Mumbai city has a large number of premiere educational institutions. There are two universities, The University of Mumbai and the SNDT Women's University. The Mumbai University has almost all the colleges in Mumbai affiliated to it.
- See also: List of Bombay Colleges.
There are 1,188 public municipal primary schools: (as on 1 September, 1999) as well as numerous private schools. Almost all of the private schools use English as the medium of instruction.
Sports
Cricket is the most popular sport in the city. It is widely watched, and on days when the Indian team plays important matches, the city almost comes to a standstill. The city has two functional cricket stadiums. Many parts of the city are dotted with maidans, (sports grounds), where cricket is widely played. The next most popular sport is football, and is particularly played in the monsoon months. The hockey stadium near Churchgate used to hold international matches.
Other sports are mostly played in the numerous clubs and gymkhanas include tennis, squash, billiards, badminton, table tennis and golf. Bombay also has a rugby club, the only one in the country. Every February, Mumbai holds the Derby equestrian races.
Arts & Entertainment
Being at the epicentre of Indian cinema, the city has a large number of cinemas. The oldest film shot in the country was taken in 1896 in the Kala Ghoda area. Numerous cinemas and multiplexes catering to mainstream Bollywood and Hollywood films dot the city. The world's largest IMAX dome theatre is located in Bombay. Besides cinemas, the city hosts various plays and cultural performances. There are also two art galleries and a museum in South Bombay.
Present problems
Population Mumbai's exploding Population is the biggest problem facing the city. It is slated to replace Tokyo as the world's most populous city by 2020.
Infrastructure There has been under-investment in basic infrastructure spanning many decades and this is now coming back to hurt the city's inhabitants. Land is scarce and the cost of living is high even as services degrade.
Slums The size and population of slums like Dharavi increase yearly. A lack of commitment to urban planning and development and endemic corruption in what is India's wealthiest Municipal Corporation, the BMC, have lead to a wide disparity in basic services like electricity, water, shelter, and education between the "haves and "have-nots."
Trivia
- Is the world's only city to accomodate a National Park within city limits.
- Has 3 lakes — Tulsi Lake, Powai Lake, Vihar Lake.
- Has 3 rivers — Mithi (Mahim), Dahisar, Oshiwara
- Has 4 forts — Sewree, Bandra, Mahim & Worli plus reminants old the old fort in South Mumbai.
- Tallest building in India, The Shreepati Arcade (45 floors) is in Mumbai.
- Is situated on an island: Salcette Island.
- In 1995, Nariman Point had the highest real estate rental rates in the world!
- City divided into 2 districts: Old Bombay (city) and Greater Bombay (Mumbai suburbs). Capital of Suburbs is Bandra (East).
- City contributes 6 Lok Sabha seats.
- Headquarters of Central Railway and Western Railway
- A Coral Reef was found near the city in 1997.
- 2 airports & 1 aerodrome (former airport: Juhu)
- Tel code: 022
- PIN code: 400 0xx
- Vehicle licence code: MH-01 (city), MH-02 (western suburbs), MH-03 (eastern suburbs)
- Local time is 39 mins behind IST. Local time was used from 1884 to 1905 and unofficially till 1955.
- Voltage — 220V ; 50Hz
- TV signals — PAL
- Power Plugs — Type C, Type D and Type M
Events
- 600 BC — First known permanent settlement.
- 300 BC — Part of Ashokas Empire.
- 9–13 centuries AD — part of Silhara dynasty.
- 1343 — Part of the Gujarat sultanate.
- 1508 — Francis Almeida sailed into the deep natural harbour.
- 1534 — Mumbai ceded to the Portuguese.
- 1661 — Portuguese Princess Catherine of Braganza brings Bom Bahia to King Charles II of England as part of her marriage dowry.
- 1668/1669 — East India Company takes over Bombay
- 1670 — First printing press imported to Bombay by Parsi businessman Bhimji Parikh
- 1675 — Population estimated to have risen to 60,000 from 10,000 in 1661.
- 1675 — The Mumba Devi temple built by an immigrant Hindu woman, Mumba, near the main landing site on the former Bori Bunder creek or inlet, against the north wall of the English Fort Saint George.
- 1735 — Start of ship-building industry.
- 1777 — First newspaper published in Bombay by Rustomji.
- 1822 — First vernacular language newspaper in Bombay, Mumbai Samachar published by Fardoonjee. India's oldest newspaper still being published.
- 1838 — First edition of Bombay Times and Journal of Commerce launched
- 1845 — Grant Medical College founded.
- April 16, 1853 — First railway line in India between Bombay and Thane.
- 1854 — First cotton mill started.
- 1857 — University of Bombay established.
- 1870 — Bombay Port Trust formed.
- 1872 — Bombay Municipal Corporation founded.
- 1885 — Indian National Congress formed at Gowalia tank Maidan .
- 1887 — Victoria Jubilee Technological Institute (VJTI) established. First and only institute offering degree in engineering until 1960.
- 1911 — King George V and Queen Mary visit Bombay. Gateway of India built to commemorate the visit.
- January 12, 1915 — Gandhi returns to India from South Africa at Mumbai.
- January 22, 1926 — King Edward Memorial Hospital inaugarated.
- July 15, 1926 — First motorised bus ran between Afghan church and Crawford Market.
- October 15, 1932 — J. R. D. Tata flew from Karachi to Bombay via Ahmedabad landing on a grass strip at Juhu paving the way for civil aviation in India.
- August 8, 1942 — Quit India Movement declaration passed at Gowalia Tank Maidan.
- April 14, 1944 — Massive explosion rocks Bombay Harbour.
- 1958 — IIT Bombay established in Powai.
- 31 March 1964 — Last tram made its journey from Bori Bundar to Dadar.
- 1993 — Serial bomb blasts across Mumbai kill 300 and injure hundreds more.
- 1996 — Bombay renamed to Mumbai. Subsequently University of Bombay renamed to University of Mumbai.
- 1998 — Victoria Jubilee Technological Institute renamed to Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute.
- August 25, 2003 — Two bombings by militants kill 48 and injure 150.
- 2004 — The fourth World Social Forum held in Mumbai, from 16–21 January.
Miscellaneous
Important phone numbers
- 100 — Police
- 101 — Fire
- 102 — Ambulance
- 108 — Disaster Report
- 1916 — Civic Complaint
- 28888888 - General phone number enquiry
Radio stations
- Go 92.5 — 92.5 MHz
- Radio Mirchi — 98.3 MHz
- Win FM — 94.6 MHz
- Radio City — 91 MHz
- AIR FM Rainbow — 107.1 MHz
- AIR FM Gold — 100.7 MHz
Related articles
- Administrative divisions of Mumbai
- Mumbai suburban railway
- List of tourist attractions in Mumbai
- Public transport in Mumbai
- Images of Mumbai
- Kamathipura — Mumbai's oldest and Asia's largest red-light area
Also see
External links
- University of Mumbai
- Official site of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai
- Report about Mumbai's population explosion
- Mid Day Newspaper — latest Bombay news
- Metro
- official site of Directorate of Technical Education Maharashtra
- Photographs
- Bombay City Photo Blog
Bombay is a 1995 Tamil/Hindi movie by Mani Ratnam starring Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala with music composed by A.R. Rahman.
Bombay Dreams is a musical produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber, composed by A.R. Rahman.
Bombay is the name of a town in Franklin County, New York in the USA.