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Mumbai

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Mumbai is the capital city of Maharashtra, a state in western India.

Flag of Maharashtra
Flag of Maharashtra

It sits on the Konkan coast along the Arabian Sea. The city is a major global hub known as an alpha world city. It serves as the financial, commercial, and entertainment capital of India. The city is extremely crowded and populous. The city proper has about 12.5 million people. The wider Mumbai Metropolitan Region holds over 23 million people.

Mumbai 03-2016 30 Gateway of India
Mumbai 03-2016 30 Gateway of India

Historically, Mumbai was not one continuous landmass. It began as an archipelago of seven distinct islands. These islands were Isle of Bombay, Parel, Mazagaon, Mahim, Colaba, Worli, and Old Woman's Island. For a long time, these islands were home to the Koli people. The Koli are a community of native Marathi-speaking fishers. Many different dynasties ruled the islands over many centuries. These included the Maurya Empire and the Satavahanas.

Hajiali
Hajiali

To create the modern city, engineers had to change the geography. They used a process called land reclamation. This means they filled in parts of the sea to create new land. A major project called the Hornby Vellard began in 1782. This project aimed to merge the seven islands together. The reclamation work was completed in 1845. This transformation turned the islands into a massive seaport on the Arabian Sea.

Bandra Worli Sea-Link (cropped)
Bandra Worli Sea-Link (cropped)

Control of the islands shifted between several global powers. The Portuguese Empire controlled the area for a period. They built many churches and fortifications. In 1661, the islands were transferred to England. This happened through a marriage treaty. Catherine of Braganza married King Charles II of England. The islands were part of her dowry. Later, the English East India Company managed the islands. The company moved its headquarters from Surat to Mumbai in 1687.

British Raj Red Ensign
British Raj Red Ensign

Mumbai is a massive engine for the Indian economy. It is home to the Bombay Stock Exchange on Dalal Street. The city is a top ten global center for commerce. It generates 6.16% of the total GDP of India. The city also accounts for 25% of India's industrial output. Mumbai handles 70% of all maritime trade in the country. This trade moves through the Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Dharamtar ports. It also manages 70% of all capital transactions in the nation.

Mumbai 03-2016 41 Bombay High Court
Mumbai 03-2016 41 Bombay High Court

Beyond finance, the city is a center for culture and science. It is the home of the Hindi and Marathi film industries. This is often called Bollywood. Bollywood is the second-largest film industry in the world.

Ikea mumbai backside
Ikea mumbai backside

The city also hosts important scientific and nuclear institutes. Visitors can see ancient sites like the Elephanta Caves. These caves feature famous stone carvings.

The city also features modern luxury, like the Lodha Altamount tower.

Lodha Altamount - An epitome of luxury
Lodha Altamount - An epitome of luxury

The name of the city has a deep history. The name Mumbai comes from Mumbadevi. She is the patron Hindu goddess of the Koli community. "Mumba" is her name, and "ai" means mother in Marathi. For a long time, the English called the city Bombay. This was an anglicized version of the Portuguese name "Bombaim." In November 1995, the Indian government officially changed the name to Mumbai. This change was requested by the Shiv Sena party. They wanted to move away from names linked to British colonial rule. Residents of the city are called Mumbaikars.

Ciudad
Ciudad
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