Mumbai
BACKGROUND,
HISTORY
Mumbai
is on the western coast of India. The main large chunk is called
Salsette island (Satsati, or thousand villages) which extends
from Bandra to Vasai creek. From Mahim to the southernmost tip
of Mumbai several little rocky islands were gradually connected
by the British and the low lying areas filled up with soil.
Actually Mumbai shares the northeastern most part of Salsette
island with Thane municipality. Mumbai has a humid maritime
climate, with heavy monsoon rains. It is crowded. Since there
is little space for new constructions the buildings tend to
rise in height.
Historically,
the region of Mumbai figures quite prominently throughout history.
Fisherfolk called Kolis, inhabited most of the islands since
prehistory. The name of the city is in fact derived from a fisherfolk's
deity called Mumba devi. As long ago as the 3rd century BC the
Kanheri caves in north Mumbai were excavated by the Satavahanas.
Similar ruins are seen in Mt.Poisar (Mandapeshwar) and Malad.
Gharapuri, the Elephanta island was a port and an important
centre of the Chalukyas of Badami and their successors, of whom
the Silaharas were prominent. Bimba dev had a fort at Mahikavati
(Mahim) and Worli.
The
Gujarat Sultans occupied parts and built the Bandra mosque and
Haji Ali dargah in the 16 th century. Then the Portuguese arrived
and built forts like the one at Bandra and churches like St.
Michael's at Mahim.They were succeeded by the English who built
a trading 'factory' and fortified it. Later when they acquired
the islands of Bombay, they connected them by reclamation of
the shallow marshes.
Business
boomed in Bombay. When the railways were built, it became the
commercial capital of India. Cotton mills laid the establishment
of large scale industry. The American Civil War gave a fillip
to cotton goods and the city since has never looked back. It
has blossomed into the most dynamic city of India. While there
are a lot of problems there is absolutely no sense of despair.
Mumbai is an optimistic city.
A
good source of information on Mumbai is:
www.123india.com
Many links available for further information on Mumbai specific
to your requirements.
www.bombuy.com ---- city information, directory, services
www.cafemumbai.com ---- city portal
www.chalomumbai.com ---- city portal
www.city4u.com/mumbai----- maps, movies, weekend retreats
www.dombivalionline.com ---proudly claims to be " cultural capital
of Mumbai "
www.dombivlionline.com ----mini portal for a suburb of sorts
www.esselworld.com ---- amusement park in Mumbai
www.fultoo.com --- movies, music, medicine, travel in Mumbai
www.himumbai.com ---- city guide, government info
www.mmrdamumbai.org ----Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development
Authority
members.tripod.com/~PGeorge-----Mumbai 59 -- local info on suburbs
of marol village, Kondivita, JB Nagar
www.mumbai-central.com ---- portal on-line index
www.mumbai-mart.com/index.html--city directory and
city information. www.mumbaineeds.com ---- yellow pages etc.
www.mumbainet.com ---- about the city of Mumbai
www.mumbaipolice.com ---- Mumbai Police
www.mumbai-suburbs.com ---- Mumbai Suburbs portal
www.mumbaisuburbs.com ---- another Mumbai Suburbs portal
www.mumbaizone.com ---- portal
www.prithvitheatre.org ---- Prithvi Theatre
www.mumbaiairport.com ---- airport enquiry, international &
domestic air timings
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