Mumbai that you don't know.
Introduction:
Mumbai is the group of 7 major islands and many minor islands. These 7 islands include: Worli, Parel, Mahim, Mazagaon, Isle of Bombay (Fort and adjoining area), Colaba and Little Colaba. Minor islands like Madh, Trombay, Elephanta island, Oyster rock etc. form an integral part of Mumbai. Interestingly, the population of Mumbai is 20.4M greater than that of New Zealand, Hong Kong, UAE, Chille, Kazakhstan, Zambia, Zimbabwe and many others which means it is a densely populated area. The Dharavi slums are the largest in Asia!
Naming of Mumbai:
Mumbai, originally named as Bombay is actually derived from the Dutch word Bombai (pronounced as Bom-bhay). Mumbai was a Dutch colony for several years and it was actually the Dutch who gave us a name!
Iss City ko kya naam doon :p (What shall I name this city?)
Meaning of Bombai:
Originally a Dutch word. It means naturally a well built port. Mumbai is a natural port with unique steepness which helps in the directional changes of extreme winds. The recent instance of this was the Nisarga Cyclone. It went past Mumbai because of it's natural port.
Geography of Mumbai:
Approximately between 85 to 95 million years ago, Mumbai was a part of Madagascar (South Africa). The tectonic plate movements and the land currents resulted in separation of Seychelles and India from Madagascar. Almost 66 million years ago in the Mesozoic era, a volcanic eruption occurred which oozed out for 4 million years straight and lead to the formation of the Deccan plateau region. The plateau is an important region of Maharashtra and Karnataka. In an exemplary series of event, a huge lava bubble got formed vertically. This rare phenomenon is seen today in Andheri at a place called the Gilbert hill. With almost 200ft tall, it gives Mumbai an important landmark.
Connecting the 7 islands together:
Each island was unique, different and way too far. One had to take ferries frequently as no other route was formed. It was by the then governor of Bombay, William Hornbay who took an initiative to connect the 7 isles together. The estimated expenditure was 1 lakh rupees. First reclamation took place in 1708 and was completed entirely in 1858. Earlier, Mumbai was only 24km long and 4km wide extending from Dongri to Malabar hill. It took approximately 150 mammoth years to join 7 islands together. A very long time, must say!
The Treaty of Bassein:
Between 3 BCE and 1500 CE, parts of Mumbai and Gujarat were kept together. This area was ruled for many years until the Portugese's arrival in 1534. Bassein and Sopara were important ports of that time. It was then signed in the Treaty of Bassein that Bombai belonged to the Portuguese. Vasai was Bassein back then! And Sopara was Nalasopara! Interesting huh, isn't it?
The Portuguese and the British:
The seven islands of Bombai were 16th-century Portuguese territories lying off the west coast of India, that were handed over to England under this title as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza when she married Charles II in 1661. This is how Bombai came in the Britain's power.
Buddhism in Bombai:
As Sopara and Bassein were important ports back then, they had a great economic value. Because of the new travellers every day, these ports had become a good opportunity for preachers to help spread their religion. One of the widely spread religion of that time was Buddhism. It is believed that lord Buddha visited Sopara and Bassein to preach Buddhism. Stupas were also built. However, with increasing time frame, these historic symbols were demolished. Buddhist monks visited Canheri caves and Mahakali caves since their formation around 300 BCE.
Condolium and Charkhop:
Charkhop or a village of 4 huts is Kandivali's major aspect. It is a huge piece of land divided into 9 sectors.
Between 3 BCE and 1500 CE, parts of Mumbai and Gujarat were kept together. This area was ruled for many years until the Portugese's arrival in 1534. Bassein and Sopara were important ports of that time. It was then signed in the Treaty of Bassein that Bombai belonged to the Portuguese. Vasai was Bassein back then! And Sopara was Nalasopara! Interesting huh, isn't it?
The Portuguese and the British:
The seven islands of Bombai were 16th-century Portuguese territories lying off the west coast of India, that were handed over to England under this title as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza when she married Charles II in 1661. This is how Bombai came in the Britain's power.
Buddhism in Bombai:
As Sopara and Bassein were important ports back then, they had a great economic value. Because of the new travellers every day, these ports had become a good opportunity for preachers to help spread their religion. One of the widely spread religion of that time was Buddhism. It is believed that lord Buddha visited Sopara and Bassein to preach Buddhism. Stupas were also built. However, with increasing time frame, these historic symbols were demolished. Buddhist monks visited Canheri caves and Mahakali caves since their formation around 300 BCE.
Condolium and Charkhop:
Charkhop or a village of 4 huts is Kandivali's major aspect. It is a huge piece of land divided into 9 sectors.
Condolium:
Kandivali, then known as Condolium village was important from the economic point of view. The stone querries between Malad and Kandivali possessed millions of beautiful, huge stones which were transported to make historic buildings such as the Royal House, Central Library and the famous VT Station. In order to do so, railway line was built. Hence, Condolium (Kandivali) station is one of the firstly developed stations in Bombay. It was built in 1907.
Remnants from the Ice Age:
While excavating the Kandivali village, an interesting remnant from the ice age was found in the year 1932. Since then, excavations are on however no new finding can be listed.
Some important structures in Bombay:
1. Mumbai Airport- The airport is located in Juhu-Santacruz area. It was first built in 1930 and was named as RAF Santacruz. It was used during the second world war. After independence, it was renamed as Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Domestic/International Airport.
2. Mumbai Museum- Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sanghralay (museum) is situated in Churchgate. Built for recognizing the Birtish territory and its phenomenal growth, the museum was first named as the Prince of Wales museum. Infact, the real Prince was the one who laid the foundation stone of this museum. It was started in 1905 and completed in 1928. The name was later changed from the Prince of Wales museum to CSMVS.
3. Jehangir Art Gallery: It is a famous art gallery situated just besides the museum. It was built in 1952 by Sir Cowasji Jehangir.
Conclusion:
This is just the beginning of the secrets of Mumbai. The unfolding of more secrets of Aamchi Mumbai awaits until next time.
Kandivali, then known as Condolium village was important from the economic point of view. The stone querries between Malad and Kandivali possessed millions of beautiful, huge stones which were transported to make historic buildings such as the Royal House, Central Library and the famous VT Station. In order to do so, railway line was built. Hence, Condolium (Kandivali) station is one of the firstly developed stations in Bombay. It was built in 1907.
Remnants from the Ice Age:
While excavating the Kandivali village, an interesting remnant from the ice age was found in the year 1932. Since then, excavations are on however no new finding can be listed.
Some important structures in Bombay:
1. Mumbai Airport- The airport is located in Juhu-Santacruz area. It was first built in 1930 and was named as RAF Santacruz. It was used during the second world war. After independence, it was renamed as Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Domestic/International Airport.
2. Mumbai Museum- Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sanghralay (museum) is situated in Churchgate. Built for recognizing the Birtish territory and its phenomenal growth, the museum was first named as the Prince of Wales museum. Infact, the real Prince was the one who laid the foundation stone of this museum. It was started in 1905 and completed in 1928. The name was later changed from the Prince of Wales museum to CSMVS.
3. Jehangir Art Gallery: It is a famous art gallery situated just besides the museum. It was built in 1952 by Sir Cowasji Jehangir.
Conclusion:
This is just the beginning of the secrets of Mumbai. The unfolding of more secrets of Aamchi Mumbai awaits until next time.
The topics which we have covered so far:
-Anoushka Sakpal
Team Think_Media
You can follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/thinkmediaoriginals/)
Photo credits- Hardik joshi by unsplash
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