History
Climate
Getting There
Going Around
Places to Stay
Shopping
Accomodation
Health
Cost of Living
Work Culture
Leisure
Education

BACKGROUND, HISTORY & MYTHS

I don't know Marathi. How will I get along in Mumbai?
Naahi, Hindi kiva English chaalel. You do know Hinglish, don't you?

Everybody is so aloof in Mumbai, I heard.
Not really. They just want to respect each other's privacy.

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. Michaels 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.

TOP