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Scores of
people pour into this magnificent city of Mumbai everyday.
Whether it is a 14 year old who has run away to become
a film star or the 30 year old who has come here to
earn and support a family in the village, everyone
who enters the city brings with him a hopeful heart
and dreamy eyes.
What is it about
Mumbai that fascinates and lures many to quit all
in their quest for a better tomorrow? What is it about
this city that enchants these people such that they
can never again go back?
Present day Mumbai
can be called the proverbial 'melting pot' of various
cultures- Maharashtrian, Gujarati, Punjabi, Sindhi,
Tamilian, Malyali, Bengali, to name a few. Not to
forget the Portuguese, British and Moghul cultures
that laid the founding stone of India's favourite
city.
Lets take the
road less traveled and dig out a brief history of
Mumbai to understand it as it stands today…
Mumbai was a cluster
of seven islands, islands namely Colaba, Smaller Colaba,
Worli, Parel, Mazgaon, Mumbadevi & Mahim, till
it came in the possession of British in 1662. Before
the British took over the seven islands, they were
in possession of Aryans from North India for about
a thousand years. Then came the Mouryas and Satvahana
followed by Silaharas & Yadavas.
Among the seven
islands, Colaba, Mazgaon & Mahim were comparatively
large and prominent. Mahim was the only island where
trade and business activities flourished in the historic
period. Mahim in 13th Century was a capital place
of Raja Bhimdeo, a Hindu ruler. He named the Mahim
Island as Mahikavati in the year 1294 and took keen
interest in its all-round development. He built roads,
palaces, temples, and law courts in Mahikavati and
made it a prominent trading port on the western coast
of India. The trading facilities provided by Raja
Bhimdeo attracted many foreign traders, such as Arabs,
Christians and Jews. They came to Mahikavati for their
interest in trade activities but later on settled
down here after realising the favourable conditions
for their trade. But the conditions started deteriorating
around 1347.
The Muslim invaders
from adjacent part of Gujarat launched series of attacks
on Mahikavati and ultimately succeeded in capturing
the islands from the Hindu rulers. Thus began the
Muslim rule over these islands. During this period
only, the Muslims from the neighbouring Konkan area
began to settle in Mumbai.
Portuguese were
the first Europeans to land on these islands in 1509.
They were shrewd tradesman with an eye for the future.
They skillfully managed to establish cordial relations
with the political power ruling the western coast.
But the Muslim regime over the islands of Mumbai soon
started facing problems as the Mughals posed a great
challenge before them. Portuguese joined hands with
Muslims in their fight with Mughals. But the Muslim
regime came to an end and Mumbai ultimately was taken
over by Portuguese as per a mutual treaty.
The Portuguese rule over the islands of Mumbai commenced
from 1534. Later, the Dutch and the British too made
their way to Mumbai for trade and commerce. Malabaris
from the coastal area of Kerala also migrated to Mumbai
during this period. Their sole intension being keep
an eye on the Merchant Ships coming to Mumbai Harbour
and plunder the treasure on these ships. To further
their purpose they used a strategic point on the hill
of Walkeshwar, now known as Malabar Hill.
Portuguese ruled
Mumbai for about one hundred and twenty five years.
The British took over Mumbai from the Portuguese,
in the year 1662. It was a dowry gift from the Portuguese
to Charles II, then the king of England, in his marriage
with Infanta Catherine Braganza , the Princess of
Portugal. British being staunch traders, wisely developed
Mumbai as an ideal port.
When the British
took over Mumbai, these islands were inhabited by
the natives of Mumbai, the Kolis. Kolis are predominantly
fishermen and they were the traditional inhabitants
of these islands since ancient period. Today the Koli
communities in Mumbai are spread over different localized
regions called Koliwadas. Sion Koliwada, Thane Koliwada,
Versova Koliwada, Khar Danda, Mahim Koliwada are most
popular.
The name
Mumbai is derived from Mumba Devi, the patron goddess
of the Kolis. The Kolis called her ' Mumba Aai' (Mother
Mumba). From this word came Mumbai. The British, however,
preferred to call the islands as Bombay. The name
remained in practice till recent years. The temple
of goddess Mumba Devi is still exists in Mumbai and
the area around the temple is popularly known as Mumba
Devi area.
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