Mumbai originally consisted of seven islands, inhabited by small Koli fishing communities. The town of Puri on Elephanta is thought to have been the major settlement in the region, until King Bimba or Bhima, sited his capital at Mahim on one island, at the end of 13th century. In 16th century, Sultan Bahadur of Ahmadabad surrender the land to the Portuguese. Eventually, in the 17th century Portuguese handed the land to British as a part of dowry when Portuguese infanta Catherine of Braganza married Charles II.

Because of it’s safe harbor and and strategic position for trade, the East India Company who then based in Surat and finally in 1668, king Charles leased Mumbai to them for a bulk payment. Life was not easy for English as they prepared to set an ambitious project of fortifying their outpost (in modern time the region is known as Fort). There were plenty of difficulties faced by them. One of them was the frequent change of governors. In addition, Malaria and cholera plucked many settlers. Gerald Aungier, the fourth Governor ( 1672-77) contributed much to uplift the decrepit scenario of the city. He had encouraged Hindu traders from Gujarat, Goans, Muslim weavers and business minded Zoroastrian Parsis.



Much of the British settlement was in the old Fort area was destroyed by a massive fire in 1803. The Great Indian Peninsular Railway improved the communication rapidly and as a result more immigration from elsewhere in India. After cotton crisis and civil war in America, Bombay struggling cotton industry rose up. With the opening of Suez Canal in 1869 and the construction of large docks, Bombay access to European market further improved.

During the independence struggle Bombay played a major role. It hosted the first the first Indian national Congress in 1885, and it was also the launchpad of the significant Quit India Campaign by Mahatma Gandhi. Bombay witnessed the adieu of Raj era when the last contingent of British troops passed through the Gateway Of India in February 1948. After independence Mumbai became a hub of commercial activities and a financial capital of India. After couple of decades Bombay had experienced a massive flow of people from everywhere in the country.

Bombay changed Mumbai and the city also transformed into a much ungainly look. The most pathetic part of this joyous city is the the communal tension between two major communities. The repeated outburst of riots and communal tensions among the poorer classes is the major concern. The mounting discontent gave rise to extreme right-wing party called Shiv Sena, headed by self-confessed admirer of Hitler. After the Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya in 1992-93, Mumbai was brutally went through countless horrifying nights. Thousands were murdered by mobs as the city descended into anarchy for ten days.

Just when Mumbai was recovering from the disaster, on March 12, 1993, ten massive bomb attack tore apart the whole city. No one claimed responsibility but underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and Pakistan secret service agency ISI was convicted for the blast. The best part of the city is it bounce back easily as it again bounced back and Mumbai saw a rise of India’s first satellite TV industry, simmering MTV and Channel V and off course nobody can ever overlook the evergreen charm of Mumbai film industry.