Bombay

Quick Facts: Who was Bombay?

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Bombay

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Maharashtra's capital and India's financial hub, historically known as Bombay.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Mumbai ( muum-BY; Marathi: Mumbaī, pronounced [ˈmumbəi] ), also known as Bombay ( bom-BAY; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the financial capital of India. Located on the Konkan coast along the west coast of India, it has a deep natural harbour. As per the 2011 Census of India, it is the most populous city proper in India, with a population of almost 12.5 million, while the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, which is among the most populous metropolitan areas in the world, has a population of over 20 million. The city forms part of the Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban districts and is administered by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, which was established in 1888. Mumbai, originally an archipelago of seven islands, has evidence of human occupation dating back to the South Asian Stone Age.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The islands were ruled by the Maurya Empire since the 3rd century BCE and were referenced by Ptolemy in his text in 150 CE. The islands were inhabited by the Marathi–speaking Koli people, whose deity Mumbā is believed to have given the city its name. The region was later ruled by several dynasties such as Satavahanas, Western Satraps, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, and Shilaharas, before coming under the control of the Delhi Sultanate, and later the Gujarat Sultanate during the Middle Ages. In 1535, the islands were ceded to the Portuguese, and in 1661, transferred to the British Crown as part of Catherine of Braganza's dowry, before being leased to the East India Company in 1668. Under British Raj, Bombay was the capital of the Bombay Presidency, and developed into a major trading and administrative centre.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Beginning in 1782, Mumbai underwent major transformation through the Hornby Vellard project, which involved the reclamation of land between the city's seven islands from the Arabian Sea. Alongside the construction of major roads and railways, the reclamation project, completed in 1845, unified the islands and helped transform Mumbai into a major seaport on the Arabian Sea. This infrastructure expansion, combined with the 19th-century cotton boom, drove rapid economic growth and further established Mumbai as an important commercial centre. The city played a major role in the Indian independence movement. After India's independence in 1947, Bombay became the capital of Bombay State and after the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, became the capital of Maharashtra in 1960.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1535: 1535 Milestone — In 1535, the islands were ceded to the Portuguese, and in 1661, transferred to the British Crown as part of Catherine of Braganza's dowry, before being leased to the East India Company in 1668.
2. 1782: 1782 Milestone — Beginning in 1782, Mumbai underwent major transformation through the Hornby Vellard project, which involved the reclamation of land between the city's seven islands from the Arabian Sea.
3. 1845: 1845 Milestone — Alongside the construction of major roads and railways, the reclamation project, completed in 1845, unified the islands and helped transform Mumbai into a major seaport on the Arabian Sea.
4. 1888: 1888 Milestone — The city forms part of the Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban districts and is administered by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, which was established in 1888.
5. 1947: 1947 Milestone — After India's independence in 1947, Bombay became the capital of Bombay State and after the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, became the capital of Maharashtra in 1960.
6. 1995: 1995 Milestone — Mumbai ( muum-BY; Marathi: Mumbaī, pronounced [ˈmumbəi] ), also known as Bombay ( bom-BAY; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the financial capital of India.
7. 2011: 2011 Milestone — As per the 2011 Census of India, it is the most populous city proper in India, with a population of almost 12.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Bombay

True or False: “The initial settlement on the islands predates recorded history and dates back to the South Asian Stone Age.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Pleistocene sediments near Kandivali suggest that the islands were inhabited since the South Asian Stone Age.

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• Al Davis — Historical peer (Died in 2011) (2011): Pioneering NFL executive and coach, known for building the legendary Oakland Raiders.
• Alan Rubin — Historical peer (Died in 2011) (2011): American musician known for playing trumpet, flugelhorn, and piccolo trumpet.
• Alexander I of Yugoslavia — Historical peer (Born in 1888) (1888): King of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, and later King of Yugoslavia (1921-1934).
• Amos Bronson Alcott — Historical peer (Died in 1888) (1888): Pioneering American educator, philosopher, and advocate for human spiritual perfection.
• Araki Murashige — Historical peer (Born in 1535) (1535): Feudal lord and tea master who served Oda Nobunaga before defecting to the Mori clan.
• Kamāl ud-Dīn Behzād — Historical peer (Died in 1535) (1535): Master of Persian Miniature Painting, defining the high point of Islamic art.
• Cardinal Mazarin — Historical peer (Died in 1661) (1661): Italian prelate and chief minister who shaped French power during the 17th century.
• Charles II of Spain — Historical peer (Born in 1661) (1661): Last Habsburg King of Spain; his death triggered the War of the Spanish Succession.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bombay