Tourism in India

MUMBAI (BOMBAY) TRAVEL GUIDE

The enigmatic city of Mumbai was a cluster of seven islands of Koli fishermen who lived on the shores of the Arabian Sea and worshipped Mumbadevi. Hence, the place got the name Mumbai. Mumbai was given by Portuguese as dowry to Charles II of England when he married Catherine. The group of seven island was leased to the East India Company who offered freedom of business and religion to persons who came and settled here. Initially a few Parsis and Gujarati came but soon a sizeable population began to thrive here. This was way back in the 17th century. Today also Mumbai is a city of migrants. People from all over the country have come and settled here. This gives the society of Mumbai a multi-lingual and multi-cultural colour.

In the 18th century Mumbai grew rapidly and it also became one of the leading centers for the activists in the freedom struggle. Britishers played their role by shifting the presidency from Surat to Bombay, the former name of Mumbai. Also, the first railway line on which train moved was laid between Bombay and Thane. Bombay played a formative role in shaping the freedom struggle. It hosted the first Indian National Congress and was also a venue for the declaration of 'Quit India' by Gandhiji. Today Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra. Bombay was re-named as Mumbai in 1996.

Mumbai has lived upto the reputation for which it was established. It is a city built by the residents of the city. Mumbai is more than a cosmopolitan made of concrete buildings. It is a city which never sleeps, its streets are never empty. The factories and mills of operate day and night to meet the growing demands, their efforts has made Mumbai the commercial capital of India. The marvelous natural port of Mumbai is fit for handling an ever expanding world trade. The city situated on the edge of Arabian sea has some thing or other to offer to every body but one has to struggle to achieve that and one who is left behind parishes in the race of life in Mumbai with no one to care for. For decades the city has attracted migrants who come here to earn bread, many fail and those who survive are absorbed in the pace of Mumbai.