Mumbai
- The business hub of India Mumbai a cluster of seven islands,
derives its name from Mumbadevi, the patron goddess of the Koli
fisher folk, its oldest inhabitants. Once a Portuguese princess'
dowry and later an adornment of neo-gothic British architecture,
Mumbai today, is more than just a metropolis. It is infact an enigma
of mud huts & sky- scrapers, age old traditions & high
fashions, the industrialists' heaven & movie makers' hollywood.
A
lovely natural harbour and winding creek set off the city of Mumbai
from the long, narrow coast of Western India. Mumbai pulsates with
activity. It is a city that is disciplined by no time frame-neither
by day nor night. Mumbai is also the country's financial powerhouse,
the nation's industrial heartland, and its economic nerve centre.
Dazzling shopping arcades, exciting sport activity, night clubs and
discotheques, theatre and music, gourmet restaurants and interesting
sightseeing - Mumbai offers the visitor a heady mix of all this and
more.
Formerly known as Bombay or today's Mumbai is
an amalgamation of seven islands (Colaba, Mumbai, Mazagaon, Old
Woman's island, Wadala, Mahim, Parel, and Matunga Sion.) The
Portuguese called the islands "Bombay" meaning "Good
Bay". These islands were ruled by the Hindu dynasties, the
Muslims and then were presented to King Charles II in 1661 as part
of the dowry when he married Princess Catherine de Braganza of
Portugal. Bombay was handed over to the East India Company in 1668.
It started growing as a trade center owing to shift of the
shipbuilding industry from Surat. The opening of the Suez Canal
after the American Civil War enabled export of cotton from Bombay.
It also played an important role in the freedom struggle of India.
The first Indian National Congress was hosted in Bombay in 1885.
Bombay was also the capital of the Bombay Presidency that was
divided into Gujarat and Maharsahtra. Since 1996, Bombay has been
officially known as Mumbai, derived from the name of Goddess
Mumbadevi.
Attractions in Mumbai
- Gateway of India
- Malabar Hill
- Marine Drive
- Juhu
- Chowpatty
How to Reach
- By Air
Mumbai is an international airport. Many
international airlines operate flights to Mumbai from various
parts of the world. Indian Airlines and many private airlines
connect Mumbai with all major tourist centres in India.
- By Rail
Mumbai is the headquarters of the
Cent6ral and Western Railways. Regualr trains connect it with
all major cities like Aghamedabad, Aurangabad, Bangalore,
Bhopal, Calcutta, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Madras, Nagapur
and Trivandrum.
- By Road
Mumbai is connected by good motorable
roads with all major tourist centres
