History of Mumbai
Ancient yet modern, fabulously rich yet achingly poor.
The city of Bombay originally consisted of seven islands, namely Colaba, Mazagaon, Old Woman''s Island, Wadala, Mahim, Parel, and Matunga-Sion. This group of islands, which have since been joined together by a series of reclamations, formed part of the kingdom of Ashoka, the famous Emperor of India.
After his death, these islands passed into the hands of various Hindu rulers until 1343. In that year, the Mohammedans of Gujerat took possession and the Kings of that province of India ruled for the next two centuries. The only vestige (mark) of their dominion over these islands that remains today is the mosque at Mahim.
In 1534 the Portuguese, who already possessed many important trading centers on the western coast, such as Panjim, Daman, and Diu, took Bombay by force of arms from the Mohammedans. This led to the establishment of numerous churches which were constructed in areas where the majority of people were Roman Catholics. There used to be two areas in Bombay called "Portuguese Church". However, only one church with Portuguese-style facade still remains; it is the St. Andrew''s church at Bandra. The Portuguese also fortified their possession by building forts at Sion, Mahim, Bandra, and Bassien which, although in disrepair, can still be seen. They named their new possession as "Bom Baia" which in Portuguese means "Good Bay".
A hundred and twenty-eight years later the islands were given to the English King Charles II in dowry on his marriage to Portuguese Princess Catherine of Braganza in 1662. In the year 1668 the islands were acquired by the English East India Company on lease from the crown for an annual sum of 10 pounds in gold; so little did the British value these islands at that time. The Company, which was operating from Surat, was in search for another deeper water port so that larger vessels could dock, and found the islands of Bombay suitable for development. The shifting of the East India Company''s headquarters to Bombay in 1687 led to the eclipse of Surat as a principal trading center. The British corrupted the Portuguese name "Bom Baia" to "Bombay". The Kolis used to call the islands "Mumba" after Mumbadevi, the Hindu deity to whom a temple is dedicated at Babulnath near Chowpatty''s sandy beachesThe Fort (downtown) area in Bombay derives its name from the fact that the area fell within the former walled city, of which only a small fragment survives as part of the eastern boundary wall of the St. George''s Hospital. In 1813 there were 10,801 persons living in the fort, 5,464, or nearly 50%, of them Parsis. With the growth of the city more people came from the Fort to such suburbs as Byculla, Parel, Malabar Hill, and Mazagaon. European sports clubs for cricket and other games came in to existence early in the 19th Century. The Bombay Gymkhana was formed in 1875 exclusively for Europeans. Other communities followed this example, and various Parsi, Muslim, and Hindu gymkhanas were started nearby with fierce sports competitions among them being organized on a communal basis. This was opposed by several secular minded persons, such as the late A.F.S. Talyarkhan,.
PLACES OF INTEREST
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Gateway of India
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Mumbai''s most famous monument, this is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city. It was built as a triumphal arch to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, complete with four turrets and intricate latticework carved into the yellow basalt stone. Ironically, when the Raj ended in 1947, this colonial symbol also became a sort of epitaph: the last of the British ships that set sail for England left from the Gateway. Today this symbol of colonialism has got Indianised, drawing droves of local tourists and citizens. Behind the arch, there are steps leading down to the water. Here, you can get onto one of the bobbing little motor launches, for a short cruise through Mumbai''s splendid natural harbour.
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ELEPHANT CAVES
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Hewn out of solid rock, the Elephanta Caves date back to 600 AD, and attract more visitors each year than the entire city of Mumbai. No wonder: this place resonates with the spiritual energy of India. The cave complex is a collection of shrines, courtyards, inner cells, grand halls and porticos arranged in the splendid symmetry of Indian rock-cut architecture, and filled with exquisite stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. It is situated on Gharapuri Island in Mumbai''s harbour, about an hour''s boatride from the Gateway Of India. At the entrance to the caves is the famous Trimurti, the celebrated trinity of Elephanta : there''s Lord Brahma the Creator, Lord Vishnu, the preserver and Lord Shiva the Destroyer Unfortunately, many of the sculptures inside have been damaged by iconoclastic Portuguese rulers who took potshots at Hindu Gods with their rifles. And yet somehow, nothing has disturbed the sublime beauty of this place for centuries.
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Aarey Milk colony
Aarey milk colony is another green pocket of Mumbai. You can take a tour of the milk production plant and have a picnic outside.
Bandra Fort
Bandra Fort (or Fort Aguada), at the tip of the Bandra promontary. Built by the Portuguese in 1640 to mark the southernmost tip of the mainland (i.e. Salsette island). Not much remains.
Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (V.T.) — At the other end of Flora Fountain is Victoria Terminus, previously known as ''Victoria Terminus''. It is the disembarking station for Central Railway local trains and long-distance trains. Adjacent to V.T. station is General Post Office, a grand building which is open 24 hours. The road goes further up to Ballard Estate where a lot of Corporate Offices and Mumbai Port is situated. The V.T. station building is a fine piece of architecture.
Film City
Film City is an integrated film studio complex situated near Sanjay Gandhi National Park at Goregaon, Mumbai in India. It has several recording rooms, gardens, lakes, theatres and grounds that serve as the venue of many Bollywood film shootings.[1] It was built by the state government to provide facilities and concessions to the film industry. It was renamed Dadasaheb Phalke Nagar in memory of the Marathi producer-director-screenwriter Dadasaheb Phalke.
Hanging Gardens
Hanging gardens, Malabar Hill, Mumbai, 400 026. 5AM-9PM. Officially known as the Ferozeshah Mehta Gardens this terraced garden is worth visiting less for the carved hedges and fountains and more for the spectacular view of Mumbai that it affords. Right across the street is Kamala Nehru Udyan, which is another garden whose most famous attraction is a structure shaped like a shoe, which one can enter and climb on top and look out. Visit Kamala Nehru park late in the evening to see a beautiful lit up view of Marine drive.
Juhu Beach
Juhu is a suburb of Mumbai. It is famous for its sprawling beach, the Juhu Beach. It is surrounded by Arabian Sea in the west, Santacruz and Vile Parle in the east. Juhu is one of the more affluent areas of Mumbai. Many Bollywood stars own bungalows in Juhu, famously including Amitabh Bachchan, Amrish Puri, as well as the Deols and numerous other stars and starlets. Industrialist Adi Godrej, Musician Khayyam, Modi Entertainment Network, Fashion TV, Modi Enterprises, Godfrey Phillips India, Rajasthan Cricket Association, Board of Control for Cricket in India, and Indian Premier League''s Lalit Modi, Media Expert Niranjan Parihar,Financial Advisor Bharat Solanki and Chairman of Montex group Raman Jain also have their bungalows in Juhu. The nearest railway stations are Santacruz, Andheri and Vile Parle.
Nariman Point
Located at the other end of Marine Drive, Nariman Point is the business hub of Bombay. However, with the change in economic conditions, many companies have shifted to other areas of Bombay like Parel, Worli, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Andheri-Kurla Road, and Powai. The top end hotel The Hilton Tower is located here along with a number of Airlines Offices. Don''t miss out the Air-India building
Khandala
Khandala is a hill station in the Western Ghats in the state of Maharashtra, India, about three kilometres from Lonavala and seven kilometers from Karjat.
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Museums
- Taraporewala Aquarium (3.2 km)
- Mani Bhavan Mahatma Gandhi Museum (3.6 km)
- Prince of Wales Museum
- Victoria & Albert Museum
- Asiatic Library
- Nehru Science Centre (8 km)
- Nehru Planetarium (8 km)
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Religious Places
- Afghan Church (4.5 km)
- Hazi Ali Mosque (7.3 km)
- Jain Temple
- Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple, Prabhadevi
- ISKCON Temple
- Mahalaxmi Temple(7.2 km)
- Raudat Tahera (2.5 km)
- Kailash Temple
- Titwala Akloli Ganeshpuri
- Akloli Ganeshpuri
- Borivilli National Park
- Lion Safari Park/Krishnagiri
- UPV/Sanjay Gandhi National Park
- Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary
- Victoria & Albert Museum
- Sewri Mangrove Park
- Karnala Bird Sanctuary (80 Km)
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Mumbai Beaches
- Chowpatty Beach (4 km)
- Juhu Beach(21 kms)
- Madh Island(26.6 kms)
- Malabar Hill (5.6 km)
- Erangal Beach
- Gorai Beach (59 km)
- Marine Drive
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Gardens
- Hanging Gardens (5.6 km)
- Kamla Nehru Park(5.6 km)
- Eermata Jijabai Bhonsle Udyan (5.6 km)
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Picnic Spots
- Chowpatty Beach (4 km)
- Juhu Beach(21 kms)
- Madh Island(26.6 kms)
- Malabar Hill (5.6 km)
- Erangal Beach
- Gorai Beach (59 km)
- Marine Drive
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Picnic Spots
- Chodbunder
- Powai Vihar Lakes(26.6 kms)
- Matheran Hill Resort
- Tansa Lake (10.3 kms)
- Tulsi Lake (32 kms)
- Uran Sea Side Resort
- Wajreshwari Hot Springs/Ganeshpuri Ashram
- Bhandaradara
- Malshej Ghat
- Chikhaldara
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Forts
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Caves
- Elephanta Caves (9 Km)
- Kanheri Caves (42 kms)
- Karla Caves (100 kms)
- Ajanta Caves
- Ellora Caves
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Monuments
- Gateway of India (2.4 km)
- Head Quarters of Railway
- High court (7.3 km)
- Mint
- Muncipal Corporation Building (2 km)
- Town Hall (2 km)
- Victoria Terminus (2 km)
- Rajabai Tower (1 km)
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Other Places
- Aarey Milk Colony (35 Km)
- Worli Dairy (9 km)
- Weaver''s Service Centre (2.4 km)
- Tower of Silence
- Race Course (7.3 km)
- Essel World
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Hill Stations
- Lonavala-Khandala-Karla
- Matheran
- Jawhar
- Panhala
- Chikaldara
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Hotels in Mumbai India
1.Hotel The Hyatt Regency is one of the leading 5 Star Deluxe hotels in Mumbai, the dream city of India.Hyatt Regency Mumbai is Mumbai''s premier gateway hotel. Hyatt Regency Mumbai is ideally located to become the preferred hotel for corporate travelers visiting the city of Mumbai.
Hyatt Regency Mumbai is strategically located adjacent to Mumbai''s international airport and minutes from the domestic terminals.
The Hyatt Regency Hotel is 1/2 km from the airport and minutes away from the city''s prime commercial, banking and shopping districts.
2.Hotel Le Royal Meridien Mumbai is strategically situated close to Mumbai''s International and Domestic Airports and the commercial hub of Andheri. Other tourist attractions, and major landmarks like the Borivali National Park and Film City are at close quaters from the hotel.
Hotel Le Royal Meridien Mumbai is located 1 km. from Sahar Airport, 4 kms. from Andheri Railway Station, and 4 kms. from Andheri Bus Stand
3.Hotel The Hilton Towers is one of the leading 5 Star Deluxe hotels in Mumbai, the dream city of India.
Hilton Towers, Mumbai remains unmatched with regards to its location and view. The hotel offers an unparalleled standard of service to its guests.
The Hilton Towers hotel Mumbai is located in the heart of the city of Mumbai''s banking and commercial areas.
The Hilton Towers Hotel Mumbai is located 35 kms. from CST Airport; and 3 kms from CST Railway Station.
4.Hotel Ambassador is one of the leading 4 Star hotels in Mumbai (Bombay), the dream city of India.
Hotel Ambassador Mumbai you get much more than a good night''s sleep. Its ambience awakens your senses.
Hotel Ambassador Mumbai is situated in the commercial district off Marine Drive in Mumbai, and is stone throw away from the Arabian Sea.
Hotel Ambassador is located 25 kms. from Airport, and 3 kms. from Railway Station.
5.Hotel Kohinoor Continental Mumbai is one of the leading 4 Star hotels in Mumbai, the dream city of India. Kohinoor Continental is a business hotel of Mumbai that enjoys a distinguished patronage. From the moment you check in at Kohinoor Continental Mumbai you''ll see that no expense has been spared in order to make your stay as comfortable as possible, with the finest materials imported from all over the world and many aesthetic nuances, which adorn the hotel like jewelry.
Hotel Kohinoor Continental Mumbai is conveniently located 2 kms. from Sahar Airport, 2 kms. from Andheri Railway Station, and 2 kms. from Andheri (E) Bus Stand.
6.Taj President Mumbai is one of the leading 5 Star Deluxe hotels in Mumbai, the dream city of India. The Taj President Hotel is a popular business hotel renowned for its efficient service and warm hospitality.
Location
Taj President Hotel Mumbai is situated close to the main business district, entertainment, recreational and shopping centers of Mumbai.
Taj President Hotel in Mumbai is located 35 kms from Airport, 3 kms. from Railway Station, and 1 km. from Bus Stand.
7.The Oberoi Hotel Mumbai is located on the Marine Drive in the hub of the commercial district of Mumbai. The business and commercial districts of Mumbai are easily accessible from the hotel.
The Oberoi Hotel Mumbai is located 35 kms. from CST Airport; and 3 kms from CST Railway Station.
India is emerging as one of the hottest tourist destinations of the world. Hotels in India have witnessed a substantial increase in number of guests over the years. The country''s entertainment and business capital, Mumbai, is one of its premier tourist destinations. Hotels Mumbai India is your gateway to finding the right hotel in Mumbai. Whatever the budget and purpose of your visit, there is a perfect Hotels in Mumbai available for you. Help us to help you in finding the best-suited accommodation on your visit to Mumbai. You will cherish the hospitality of hotels in India forever.