The Interesting History Of Mumbai City

 

Bombay which is presently called as Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra, one of the Indian states. The name Bom Baia was made into Bombay. In fact, the name Bom Baia was given by the Portuguese settlers and this phrase meant Good Bay in their language. Bombay was involved in trade relationship with other countries of the world such as Persia and Egypt since 1000 BCE. Many dynasties including Chalukyas, Mauryas, Satavahanas and Rashtrakutas were reigning over Bombay until finally King Ashoka added it to his empire. There are seven islands that make the city of Bombay and they are Colaba, Mahim, Wadala, Parel, Old Woman’s Island, Mazagaon and Matunga-Sion. Mohammedans of Gujarat region annexed all these islands to their empire in 1343.

 

When Portuguese came to India in 16th century, they were capturing many places along the western coastline of India to carry on their trade. After capturing Daman and Diu and some other places, their attention turned towards Bombay. With the help of power and weapons they brought Bombay under their control. However in 1662, King of England named Charles II married the princes of Portuguese named Catherine. As a part of the dowry, this region was given to England. It was handed over to the British East India Company on lease of ten pounds of gold per year in 1668. The East India Company found that Bombay harbor was good for navigation and so they shifted their headquarters to Bombay in 168.

 

The trade and commerce flourished during the tenure of Sir George Oxenden. In 1838, the imposition of grazing fee led to the anger of the natives. The grazing ground was called Charni which means grazing and the road adjacent to this was called Charni Road. Many roads and highways, medical colleges and educational institutions were built during the period of Sir Robert Grant.

 

In 1853, the first train in India ran from Victoria Terminus in Bombay to Thane. After initial trial, regular services were opened in 1869. Cotton manufacturing and export thrived well during that time as the demand for cotton increased in the Western world due to the onset of the American Civil War in 1861. What additionally contributed to the growth of export from Bombay was the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869.

 

After the Sepoy Mutiny of 1859, the British government did not want the East India Company to have its control over Bombay and so they brought it under the direct control of the British crown. After that, many historical buildings and monuments were constructed in this place. In the year 1955, according to the law of India government Bombay state was reorganized and two new states Maharashtra and Gujarat were carved out of it. In 1960, Bombay became the capital city of Maharashtra. Though it saw many bomb blasts and explosions in the later part of twenty first century, still it is standing to be one of the biggest and strongest metropolitan regions of the world.

To learn more about Mumbai, visit Mumbai Photos and Mumbai Videos.

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I am Suhaina Mazhar, a freelance content writer and blogger and have written thousands of original articles. Writing is my passion, writing is my hobby and writing is my career. I want to write till the last moment of my life.

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