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Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is the largest city in the western Indian state of Maharashtra and in India, and one of the top six largest agglomerations in the world. It is a coastal city of around 18.1 million people with a deep natural bay. The city is a significant contributor to Indian trade and taxation. The name was changed from Bombay to Mumbai in 1996, but the former name is still widely used in the West.
History
The city originally consisted of seven islands. It was called Mumba (after Mumbadevi) and part of the kingdom of Ashoka and then various Hindu rulers of the Silhara dynasty until 1343 when it was taken by the kingdom of Gujerat. In 1534 the Portuguese took the islands from Bahadur Shah of Gujarat and renamed the area Bom Baia ("Good Bay"). The islands remained in their hands until 1661 when it was part of the dowry of Catherine de Braganza to Charles II of England. He in turn leased it to the British East India Company in 1668 for £10 per annum. The company found the deep harbour at Bombay eminently suitable, the population rose from 10,000 in 1661 to 60,000 by 1675, and in 1687 the East India Company transferred their headquarters there from Surat. From 1817 the city was reshaped with large civil engineering projects merging the seven islands into one single mass of around 435 km² by 1845. In 1853 the first railway link in India was completed, between Bombay and Thana. The city remained in Company hands until after the Indian Mutiny (or First War of Independence) of 1857 when it was taken from the Company by the Crown. Flora Fountain, Victoria Terminus, Hanging Gardens and the lakes were built in this time period. The Bombay Municipal Corporation was founded in 1872. Gateway of India and Prince of Wales museum were built during the early 20th century under British rule.
On March 12, 1993 several bombs exploded in the city killing about 300 and injuring hundreds more.
The growth of the population over the last four centuries can be seen from the following:
1661: 10,000 inhabitants
1675: 60,000
1864: 816,562
1872: 644,605
1881: 773,196
1891: 821,764
1901: 812,912 (Greater Bombay)
1911: 1,018,388
1921: 1,244,934
1931: 1,268,936
1941: 1,686,127
1951: 2,966,902
1961: 4,152,056
1971: 5,970,575
1981: 8,227,382
1991: 9,900,000 + 2,600,000 (Thane) = 12,500,000 (Greater Bombay)
2001: 16,368,084 (Greater Mumbai, incl. Thane)
Geography and climate
Mumbai spans over 438 square km in area and is a linear city along the coast of the Arabian Sea.The city has a warm and humid climate throughout the year and an average temperature of 32ºC/day and 25ºC/night. Mumbai is located at sea level. Some parts of the city are a few metres below sea level. The highest point in the city is about 100m.
The city being adjacent to water, the temperature changes are not as drastic as those inland. Mumbai enjoys its monsoon showers from June to September with the annual rainfall being 216cm. Light fog in the northern reaches of the city in Dec/Jan. Hail is rare. the lowest recorded temperature is 7°C (1962), the highest, 42°C.
Temperatures (max/min): Jan: 26/13°C May: 35/28°C July: 30/26°C Oct: 38/23°C.
Mumbai earlier was made of seven islands which are today called Colaba, Mahim, Mazgaon, Parel, Worli, Bombay and Little Colaba (Old Woman's Island). It was then merged with the surrounding islands Salcette and Trombay to get its present land form.
An important place in the city is the Marine Drive, a long road along the coast with a sweeping curve, often referred to as the Queen's Necklace because of the glittering lights of the multi-storeyed buildings visible at night.
Economy
Mumbai is often referred to as the financial capital of India. It is the highest contributor to India's income tax as well as corporate taxes. It is also center of the largest film industry in the world (in terms of number of films produced), "Bollywood". Over 300 films are produced each year in Bollywood although only some of them turn out to be financial successes. Mumbai is also the location of the oldest stock exchange in Asia, Bombay Stock Exchange established in 1875. (The average daily turnover of the exchange in 2002-03 was 1251.29 crore rupees (approx. 275 million US dollars) although two years ago the average daily turnover was much higher at 3984 crore rupees (US$870 millon). Average number of daily trades in 2002-03 was 563,000.) The Mumbai financial industry is based in Dalal Street.
The various languages of India blend together into a language referred to as Bambaiyaa Hindi. Hindi is the chief language of the people of Mumbai although being situated in Maharashtra, a state whose chief language is Marathi. Some Maharashtrian people (including some very powerful people) like to emphasize that it is a part of Maharashtra state and hence Marathi language should be given due importance. Besides Hindi, Marathi and English are also spoken often in government offices and other public places although at home and in local groups, virtually all the (over 400) languages of India are spoken as people have migrated here from all over India.
Mumbai is one of India's most cosmopolitan places and bustles day and night. Its appeal includes a liberal work environment and a relatively dynamic night-life. According to surveys, Mumbai is perceived to be one of the safest Indian cities for women, a city where they feel free to wear the clothes they like and travel at any time alone.
Number of municipal primary schools: 1,188 (as of 1st September, 1999)
Source: Municipal Corporation statistics
Prominent among them are:
Mumbai is lately (from 2001) following the trend of multiplex theaters, movie theaters with normally more than 2-3 screens. The oldest multiplex theater in Mumbai is the G7 which is located at Bandra.
Bombay Dreams is a musical produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber, composed by A.R. Rahman.
Transportation links
People of Mumbai
A resident of Mumbai City is a Mumbaikar (Bombayite before 1996). Many Mumbaikars still prefer to call the city by its historic name, Bombay and themselves Bombayites. Within Mumbai, areas correspond to nearest railway station on the suburban railway network and people often associate themselves with the particular area where they live. People prefer to stay close to the railway station as the railways are the lifeline of Mumbai. Hundreds of people migrate to Mumbai everyday in search of jobs. This has created a heavy strain on the resources and emerged as an issue of the local people residing here since long time.Educational and cultural institutions
Mumbai city has a large number of premiere educational and cultural institutions. Technical institutions
Cultural, social, and miscellaneous institutions
Recreation and malls
Mumbai has several European-style shopping malls, recreation centers, pubs etc.
Indian movies (Bollywood) are the chief recreation of the masses. Mumbai is also a center for various concerts of Hindustani music and other performing arts. The city also has an IMAX theater, the largest in Asia.Industry and commerce
Mumbai is the economic capital of India. Major industries are chemicals, textiles and fisheries. India's film industry has a strong presence in Mumbai. Present problems
Population is the biggest problem facing Mumbai. Land is scarce, cost of living is high. Population explosion has put a tremendous strain on the basic infrastructure and transport facilities of this city. In fact, Mumbai is set to replace Tokyo as the world's most populous city by 2020 . Many local political activists demand that unemployed immigrants to the city after 1995 must vacate, so that the population in the city's slums is reduced.Facts
Events
Miscellaneous
Important phone numbers
Radio stations
AIDS
4.7% of AIDS cases in India are from Mumbai. This means that incidence of AIDS in Mumbai is 160% more than the average prevalence in India.Related articles
Also see
External links
Bombay is a 1995 Tamil/Hindi movie by Mani Ratnam starring Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala with music composed by A.R. Rahman.
Mumbai city, viewed from the 