History of Mumbai

Mumbai's history dates back to 2nd century B.C. Its seven island system was inhabited by the Koli. Today, ruminants of the Koli's culture still can be viewed along the city's shoreline.

Mumbai

Many of the Hindu dynasties ruled the the islands of Mumbai from the 6th century AD until Muslim sultans assume control over the city, and grant the island system to Portugal in 1534. After marriage of dowry of Catherine and Charles 2nd in 1665 the British government assume control over the islands but in 1668 leased them to EIC (East India Company) for only UK£10 per year.

The Company named the island system Bombay. The city flourished as a trading port and after twenty years the presidency of the Company was transferred from Surat to Bombay. The fort in Bombay was finished around the year of 1720 and just after a century the islands land mass was joined together. After the British took control over India, in 1864 the fort's wall were destroyed and the style of the city was transformed into colonial.

The major part of the city's independence was played by the National Congress in 1885 and also the Quit India project was launched in 1942 by Mahatma Gahdhi. In 1960 Maharashtra and Gujarat were divided and Bombay became the capital of Maharashtra.

The official change of the name to Mumbai became a fact in 1996. The name was derived from the goddess Mumba, worshipped by the Koli's residents. Shiv Sena has big influence over the streets and public buildings and changed them from their colonial names. Even the airports were named after Indian relatives, like Shivaji and Maratha although many British names are still use by Mumbai's population.