About Mumbai
Mumbai History
Arguably the second most populated city in the entire world with almost fifteen million people, the Indian metropolis of Mumbai has got a rich and diverse history. As far as geography goes, Mumbai is located in the state of Maharashtra, and is also the capitol of the state. Mumbai is located on the western coast of India, essentially being built on the crest of seven islands. These islands were extremely vital to India and Mumbai because they were key fishing islands that brought in, sometimes large, economic gains. Mumbai is also comprised of the Mumbai City District and the Mumbai Suburban District.
Before gaining the name of Mumbai, the coastal city was dubbed Bombay; the name being switched just recently, in 1995. Archaeologists believe that Mumbai has been populated since the Stone Age, with evidence being a type of sediment found along the coastlines. Mumbai has seen periods of all different types of rule, one of the first major periods being the Islamic Period. For a little under fifty years, from 1348 to 1391, Mumbai was ruled by the Muslims.
Eventually, from the early 1500s to the mid-1600s, for a period of more than 100 years, Mumbai was under Portuguese rule. A huge foundation in religion was established when the Portuguese came to power, being very strong supporters of the Roman Catholic Church. The Inquisition in India occurred which brought forth the forced Christianity of the population. On May 8, 1661, a marriage treaty was proposed between Catherine of Portugal and Charles II of England. This marriage treaty was responsible for Mumbai being transferred from Portuguese power to British power.
Bom Baia was the original name of Mumbai when the Portuguese were in power; however, when the British were given possession of the island, the name was changed to Bombay. The English East India Company took control of Bombay in 1668 because the Company needed a new port to dock their larger ships. Bombay offered an ideal docking place because of the deeper ports located there; Bombay was also an ideal trading city so more and more development was undergone as well.
Skipping ahead a couple hundred years, with the British still in control, Mumbai was now entering the early 1900's. Towards the 1940's, India started undertaking its own Indian Independence movement, eventually becoming independent in 1947. Finally in 1995, Bombay's name changed to Mumbai, which it is still known as today.
Before gaining the name of Mumbai, the coastal city was dubbed Bombay; the name being switched just recently, in 1995. Archaeologists believe that Mumbai has been populated since the Stone Age, with evidence being a type of sediment found along the coastlines. Mumbai has seen periods of all different types of rule, one of the first major periods being the Islamic Period. For a little under fifty years, from 1348 to 1391, Mumbai was ruled by the Muslims.
Eventually, from the early 1500s to the mid-1600s, for a period of more than 100 years, Mumbai was under Portuguese rule. A huge foundation in religion was established when the Portuguese came to power, being very strong supporters of the Roman Catholic Church. The Inquisition in India occurred which brought forth the forced Christianity of the population. On May 8, 1661, a marriage treaty was proposed between Catherine of Portugal and Charles II of England. This marriage treaty was responsible for Mumbai being transferred from Portuguese power to British power.
Bom Baia was the original name of Mumbai when the Portuguese were in power; however, when the British were given possession of the island, the name was changed to Bombay. The English East India Company took control of Bombay in 1668 because the Company needed a new port to dock their larger ships. Bombay offered an ideal docking place because of the deeper ports located there; Bombay was also an ideal trading city so more and more development was undergone as well.
Skipping ahead a couple hundred years, with the British still in control, Mumbai was now entering the early 1900's. Towards the 1940's, India started undertaking its own Indian Independence movement, eventually becoming independent in 1947. Finally in 1995, Bombay's name changed to Mumbai, which it is still known as today.
.
Copyright © 2010. www.mumbaiindia.in