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Mumbai is the
capital of the state of Maharashtra, and the most populous city
of India, with an estimated population of about 13 million (as
of 2006). Mumbai is located on Salsette Island, off the west
coast of Maharashtra. By some measures, it is the largest city
in the world. Along with its neighbouring suburbs, it forms the
world's fifth most populous metropolitan area with a population
of about 20 million.
Tourist Attraction
The Gateway of India was built in 1919 and opened to public in
1924. The ceremonial arch was built in 1927 to commemorate the
visit of King George V and Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar in
1911. Historically, the gateway holds greater significance as
the last of the British troops left Independent India by sea,
marched through its portals. It is situated on the Apollo Bunder.
Nine kilometers by sea from Gateway of India, a ferry ride
across the harbor takes one to the Elephanta Island. A Shiva
temple on the island is a fine example of excellence in
artisanship in rock-cut structures.
Built in 1914, the Prince of Wales Museum is surrounded by a
beautiful landscape forming an ideal getaway from the bustle and
hurry of the city. One of the best museums in the country, it is
a treasure house of art, sculpture, china, rare coins, and old
firearms. It also had priceless collection of miniature
paintings.
Standing on a busy five-point intersection in the heart of the
commercial fort area, the Flora Fountain was erected in the
memory of Governor, Henry Bartle Edward Frere.
 Haji Ali's Tomb is a mausoleum built in the memory of
Haji Ali, a Muslim saint who was drowned while on pilgrimage to
Mecca. It is accessible by a narrow causeway.
Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus is an imposing structure
formerly known as Victoria Terminus. It was built in 1888,
designed by Frederick William Stevenson. The entire faηade is
covered by sculpture of animals and birds.
People and culture
A resident of Mumbai is called a Mumbaikar, or Bombayite. Many
residents prefer to stay close to major railway stations for
easy access to their workplaces, as a significant amount of time
is spent on daily commuting. Thus, many live a fast-paced life,
with very little time for social activities. Bombay residents
celebrate festivals with great fanfare. Ganesh Chaturthi is the
most popular festival of Mumbai followed closely by Navratri
The metropolis has its own local roadside fast food flavour,
comprising vada pav (leavened wheat bread split in half, with
fried dumplings as filling), panipuri (deep fried crκpe with
tamarind and lentil sauce), pav bhaji (leavened wheat bread
accompanied with fried vegetables) and bhelpuri (puffed rice
mixture), while South Indian and Chinese food are also very
popular. The cosmopolitan residents have unique tastes in
cuisine, music, film and literature, both Indian and
international.
History
Present-day Mumbai was originally an archipelago of seven
islands. Artefacts found near Kandivali, in northern Mumbai
indicate that these islands had been inhabited since the Stone
Age. Documented evidenc e
of human habitation dates back to 250 BC, when it was known as
Heptanesia (Ptolemy) (Ancient Greek: A Cluster of Seven
Islands). In the 3rd century BCE, the islands formed part of the
Maurya Empire, ruled by the Buddhist emperor, Aşoka. The Hindu
rulers of the Silhara Dynasty later governed the islands until
1343, when the kingdom of Gujarat annexed them. Some of the
oldest edifices of the archipelago the Elephanta Caves and the
Walkeshwar temple complex date from this era.
In 1534, the Portuguese appropriated the islands from Bahadur
Shah of Gujarat, naming them Bom Baia, Portuguese for "good
bay". They were ceded to Charles II of England in 1661, as dowry
for Catherine de Braganza. These islands, were in turn leased to
the British East India Company in 1668 for a sum of £10 per
annum. The company found the deep harbour on the east coast of
the islands to be ideal for setting up their first port in the
sub-continent. The population quickly rose from 10,000 in 1661,
to 60,000 in 1675; In 1687, the British East India Company
transferred its headquarters from Surat to Bombay. The city
eventually became the headquarters of the Bombay Presidency.
From 1817 onwards, the city was reshaped with large civil
engineering projects aimed at merging all the islands in the
archipelago into a single amalgamated mass. This project, known
as the Hornby Vellard, was completed by 1845, and resulted in
the total area swelling to 438 km².In 1853, India's first
passenger railway line was established, connecting Bombay to the
town of Thane. During the American Civil War (1861-1865), the
city became the world's chief cotton trading market, resulting
in a boom in the economy and subsequently enhancing the city's
stature. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 transformed
Bombay into one of the largest seaports on the Arabian Sea
Geography
Mumbai is located on Shasti Island, which lies at the mouth of
Ulhas River off the western coast of India, in the coastal
region known as the Konkan. Much of Mumbai is at sea level, and
the average elevation ranges from 10 to 15 metres. The northern
part of Mumbai is hilly, and the highest point of the city is at
450 metres (1,450 feet). Mumbai spans a total area of 468 km²
(169 mi²).
Three lakes are located within the metropolitan limits the
Tulsi Lake, Vihar Lake and Powai Lake. The first two are located
within the Borivali National Park, and supply part of the city's
drinking water. Mumbai also has three small rivers within the
city limits originating in the National Park. The coastline of
the city is indented with numerous creeks and bays. The eastern
seaboard of Shast Island is covered with large mangrove swamps,
rich in biodiversity.
Soil cover in the city region is predominantly sandy due to its
proximity to the sea. In the suburbs, the soil cover is largely
alluvial and loamy. The underlying rock of the region is
composed of black Deccan basalt flows, and their acid and basic
variants dating back to the late Cretaceous and early Eocene
eras. Mumbai sits on a seismically active zone owing to the
presence of three fault lines in the vicinity. The area is
classified as a Zone III region, which means an earthquake of up
to magnitude 6.5 on the Richter scale may be expected.
Climate
The climate of the city, being in the tropical zone, and near
the Arabian Sea, may be broadly classified into two main seasons
the humid season, and the dry season. The humid season,
between March and October, is characterized by high humidity and
temperatures of over 30 °C (86 °F). The monsoon rains lash the
city between June and September, and supply most of the city's
annual rainfall of 2,200 mm (85 in). The maximum annual rainfall
ever recorded was 3,452 mm (135.89 in)
See
also
History : - Silhara dynasty Bombay Presidency Seven
islands of Bombay Elephanta Caves Kanheri Caves Banganga
Tank Old Bombay Worli Fort 1992-93 Mumbai Riots 1993
Mumbai Bombings 2006 Mumbai train bombings Tanks Growth of
Mumbai Timeline
Geography - Flora and fauna of Mumbai Powai Lake
Vihar Lake Tulsi Lake Thane Creek River Ulhas Gilbert
Hill Malabar Hill Salsette Island Mumbai Harbour Middle
Ground Weather Beaches South Mumbai Navi Mumbai CIDCO
Buildings : - Gateway of India Victoria Terminus Naval
Dockyard Reserve Bank of India Bombay Stock Exchange
General Post Office Shreepati Arcade Regal Cinema Mount
Mary's Church Haji Ali Dargah Flora Fountain David Sassoon
Library Crawford Market Mumba Devi Mandir Mahalaxmi Temple
Prince of Wales Museum National Gallery of Modern Art
Asiatic Society of Bombay Jehangir Art Gallery Gowalia Tank
Transport : - BEST Mumbai Suburban Railway Central
Railway Western Railway Harbour Line Chhatrapati Shivaji
International Airport Juhu Aerodrome Auto rickshaw
Economy Bombay Stock Exchange Reserve Bank of India Mint
Dalal Street Nariman Point Telecom companies.
Education : - Mumbai University SNDT Women's
University Indian Institute of Technology St. Xavier's
College St. Francis D'Assisi High School Colleges
Culture : Dabbawalas Bambaiya Hindi Vada pav
Bhelpuri Cultural centres Theatres
Tourist attractions
Parks and grounds Horniman Circle Gardens Cross Maidan
Kamala Nehru Park Hanging Gardens Sanjay Gandhi National
Park Jijamata Udyaan Brabourne Stadium Wankhede Stadium
Mahalaxmi Racecourse |
