Mumbai is one of the cities in India that has enthralled everyone with its elegance and vibrancy. No matter your caste, creed, socioeconomic level, or where you are from in India, Mumbai, or as it is still affectionately known as Bombay, welcomes you with open arms. Mumbai is rich in art, history, culture, gastronomy, theater, movie, nightlife, and other activities.
The Shiv Sena considered Bombay as a relic of British colonialism and wanted the city's name to represent its Maratha heritage, therefore it was renamed Mumbadevi to honor the goddess.
This lovely city's history can be traced back to the formation of seven islands: Colaba, Mazagaon, Mahim, Parel, Bombay Island, Worli, and Old Woman's Island. Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) was a collection of seven small islands in the Arabian Sea until the 17th century.
Koli fishermen were the initial settlers, and their villages and communities grew alongside the cost of Mumbai. The wider Bombay region was dominated by Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims. However, the arrival of Vasco da Gama of Portugal in Calicut in 1498 marked the beginning of growth in Bombay. In 1661, the King of Portugal gave the islands to King Charles II of England as a marriage gift for his marriage to a Portuguese princess (Catherine of Braganza). The island was also leased to the East India Company by King Charles II. The island was then fortified to protect it from any foreign attack. One of the first engineering projects completed in Mumbai was the Hornby Vellard. Despite stiff opposition from the East India Company, William Hornby, the governor of Bombay, launched the project in the early 18th century. The seven islands were finally combined into one mass in 1845, and the country's first railway connection between Bombay and Thane was completed in 1853. Until the insurrection in 1857, the city was under the control of the Company.
Bollywood, the world-famous Indian film industry, is headquartered in the city. Bollywood produces more films per year than any other film industry in the world. The largest concentration of India's millionaires and billionaires may be found in Mumbai. The magnificent arch monument known as the Gateway of India was constructed in 1911 to honor the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai. One of India's busiest train stations, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai is the world's largest urban tropical forest. Sunsets on Marine Drive, popularly known as the "Queen's Necklace," are highly sought after by residents and visitors alike. Dharavi, one of the largest slums in the world, is located in Mumbai, which is home to the largest slum population in India.
Nothing beats the allure of living in a seaside home. This is one of the reasons why there is a high demand for luxury residences in places like Worli, Bandra, Juhu, and Marine Lines. Many Mumbaikars come only to rest on Juhu Beach or Girgaon Chowpatty or to admire the Queen's jewelry from Marine Drive. Mumbai's local trains are marvels in their own right.
This single source of transportation is critical to the city's survival. Local trains are an adventure in and of themselves. They connect the city's outlying areas to its corporate cores. Mumbai is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra and is located on India's west coast.
Popular foods include vada pav, pav bhaji, and bhel puri, and the city is recognized for its robust street food culture. The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Haji Ali Dargah, and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link are among renowned sites in Mumbai. From June through September, the city undergoes a monsoon season, which produces heavy rain and can occasionally cause floods.
This city, understandably, enjoys rain. The Mumbai Metro is a fast transit system that has expanded since its inception in 2014. The Mumbai Indians cricket team is the most successful in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and is owned by India's largest conglomerate Reliance Industries. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) are two of Mumbai's famous educational institutions. The city has a lively nightlife scene, with many bars, clubs, and restaurants staying open into the early hours of the morning.