About Mumbai City

Mumbai is a capital of Maharastra State. The East India Company was accused of mismanagement, and Bombay reverted to the British crown. With the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, and the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, exports, specially cotton, from Bombay became a major part of the colonial economy. The Great Indian Peninsular Railway facilitated travel within India. This network of commerce and communication led to an accumulation of wealth. This was chanelled into building an Imperial Bombay by a succession of Governors. Many of Bombay's famous landmarks, the Flora Fountain and the Victoria Terminus, date from this time.

The water works, including the Hanging Gardens and the lakes were also built at this time. The Bombay Municipal Corporation was founded in 1872. However, this facade of a progressive and well-governed city was belied by the plague epidemics of the 1890s. This dichotomy between the city's symbols of power and prosperity and the living conditions of the people who make it so continues even today.

The construction of Imperial Bombay continued well into the 20th century. Landmarks from this period are the Gateway of India, the General Post Office, the Town Hall (now the Asiatic Library) and the Prince of Wales Museum. Bombay expanded northwards into the first suburbs, before spreading its nightmare tentacles into the the northern suburbs. The nearly 2000 acres reclaimed by the Port Trust depressed the property market for a while, but the Backbay reclamation scandal of the '20s was a testament to the greed for land.

The freedom movement reached a high pitch of activity against this background of developing Indian wealth. Gandhi returned from South Africa and reached Bombay on January 12, 1915. Following many campaigns in the succeeding years, the end of the British imperial rule in India was clearly presaged by the Quit India declaration by the Indian National Congress on August 8, 1942, in Gowalia Tank Maidan, near Kemp's Corner. India became a free country on August 15, 1947. In the meanwhile, Greater Bombay had come into existence through an Act of the British parliament in 1945.

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Sight Seeing

Gateway of India:

This 26 metres high stone archway is the first landmark of Bombay a visitor sees when arriving by ship. Designed by Writtet in the 16th century Gujarat style, it was built to commen/morate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Indfia in 1911. This crypto-Moresque archway welcomed numerous viceroys, governors and top civil servants as they disembarked by launch from their p&O steamers. An equestrain staue of Chhatrapatin Shivaji and statue of Swami Vivekhanda have been installed here.

Afghan Church:
Dedicated to the British soldiers who fell in the Singh and Afghan comapigns of 1838 and 1843, this church also known as St. Johns Chrch was built in 1847.

Chowpatty Beach:
A popular beach where celebration of festivals such as Coconut Day and the Ganesh Chaturthi immersions take place. Besides little kiosks selling Bombay's special snacks, Bhelpuri & Kulfi (local ice cream) one can find professional massesurs, pony leaders, beebee-gun shooting galleries, contortionists, snake charmers, monkey-trainers, balloon sellers, flower-girls and lots more. On the beach are statues of india's freedom fighters, Lokmanya Tilak and Vithalbhai Patel who symbolise the freedom struggle. Chowpatty occupies a special place in the life of Bombay, having been the venue of mass political meetings in the pre-independence era.

Haji Ali Mosque:
The tomb of a Muslim saint who died while on pilgrimage to Mecca. It is believed that a casket containing his mortal remains floated and came to rest on a rocky bed in the sea, where devotees constructed the tomb and mosque. Can be visited only at low tide.

Head-Quaters of Western Railways:
Completed in 1897, It has as ornamentation, a sculptured group representing engineering commerce and agriculture.

High Court:
An attractive building built in 1878 in the early Engligh Gothic style. The central structure rises up to 54.2 metres and is surmounted by statues representing Justice and Mercy.

Hutatmas Chowk:
Formerly known as Flora Fountain. This is the business centre of Mumbai, surrounded by offices, banks, colleges and shops.

Jain Temple:
Built in marble in 1904, the shrine is dedicated to Adinath, the first Tirthankara or apostle. The walls of the temple are adorned with colourful paintings depicting various incidents in the lives of the 24 tirthankaras of the Jain religion. On the first floor is a special shrine dedicated to Parsvanath carved out of black marble& the ceiling shows the different planets as personified in Hindu mythology.

Kamla Nehru Park:
Situated on the slopes of Malabar Hill, it is mainly a children's park named after the wife of India's first Prime Minister. Laid in 1952, the garden offers a panoramic view of Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach.

Mahalaxmi Temple:
An important Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess of wealth.

Malabar Hill:

The poshest area of Mumbai, Malabar Hill has attractive residences, including the Chief Minister's house and a palatial state guest house. Here also, are the ruins of Walkeshwar temple build sometime between 810 and 1260 AD. It is believed that lord Rama on his way to rescue his sita, stopped here and made a lingam (phallic totem) out of sand to worship Lord Shiva.

Rajbai Tower:
Built in the19th century Gothic style on the university campus, the 79 metres high clock tower commands a fine view of the city. The tower also houses the university library.

Nehru Science Center:
The museum here has a children's Science park and a permanent gallery, which consists of exhibits relating to the properties of life. There are also antique exhibits like a railway engine, tramcar, supersonic aeroplane and steam lorry.

Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market:
It was built in 1867. This is principally a fresh produce wholesale market with shops selling flowers, fruits, vegetables, meat andf fish all under one roof .

Mani Bhavan (Gandhi Mamorial):
Mahatma Gandhi used to stay at House No.19 called Man Bhavan, from time to time between 1917 and 1934. He was arrested here in 1932 and taken off for one of his many prison terms.

Nehru Planetarium:
The high-rise corncob of the cylindrical Nehru Centre looms north of Mahalaxmi. Here is a planetarium, convention centre and concert com-movie auditorium.

Pherozsha Mehta Gardens:
It is known as Hanging gardens they were renamed after the national barrister Pherozshah Mehta. The garden were laid out in 1881 on top of the reservoir which supplies water in Mumbai. A special feature are the hedges which are cut into animal shapes. In the early hours of the morning it is inhabited with people doing yoga, calisthenhics of just takinga wals, whicle at sunset one can get a stunning view of the city harbour and hills beyon.

Race Course:
The Mahalaxmi race course is name after the Hindu goddess of wealth and is one of the finest in the East.

Raudat Tajera:
The Dawoodi Bohra Muslims erected a marble mosque and mausoleum honour of their spiritual leader the late Dr. Syedna Taher Safuddin. The lavishly decorated mausoeum has four silver door and the koran is inscibed on the inner walls in gold. The air-conditioned Fatemi mosque has 17 arches.

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Excursion

Elephanta Caves:

It is known as Gharapuri (fortress city). The 7th century cave temple complex, which has been carved out of rock under two small holls, is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was a flourishing place of pilgrimage tilla few centuries ago. It has a magnificent 18 feet high, three-headed bust of Shiva- the Maheshmurti. The Elephanta mane cave, is supported by masasiva pillars, each restin gon a supported by massive pillars, each resing on a square base with fluted shafts. Inside is the main hall housing sculptures of various gods in the Hindu mythology.

Bassein Fort:
It is a 15th Century Portuguese fort, with interesting slights around it

Erangal Beach:
The suburban electric train stops at malad, from where the journey must be made by road. Hotel accommodation available. Gorai Beach (59 km) The nearest railway station is Borivili.

Juhu Beach:
It is a 5 km long beach fringed with palms and coconut trees, Juhu beach is a popular picnic spot and has a number of hotels and restaurants.

Kanheri Caves:
Carved out of native rock, the 112 caves that form the complex are believed to have been occupied by Buddhist monks for nearly a thousand years, starting 2nd century A.D thus making them one of the oldest rock monasteries in the country. Caves No. 1,2 and 3 are noteworthy for their massive pillars, sculptures and stupas.

Chodbunder:
The suburban electric train stops at Borivili from where Chodbunder is 9.6 km by road. It is an enchanting picnic spot.

Kerala Caves:
The Buddist rock-cut Chaitya Hall of Karla dates to the 2nd century B. and is said to be the most perfect of its kind. An inscription at the entrance attribters its excavation to Bhutapal of Vaijayanti. The caves are approached by a rough path of about 2 km. Sedan chairs available.

Karnakla Bird Sanctuary and Fort About Powai Vihar Lakes:
It is 26.6 and 28 km respectively by suburban electric train to Kurla or Andheri and thence by road. Buses from Andheri Railway Station on Sunday and holidays.

Matheran Hill Resort:
It has been constructed and is open to light vehicle traffic.

Tansa Lake:
By suburban electric train to Afgaon and thence 14.4 km by road .

Tulsi Lake:
By suburban electric train to Goregaon and thence 6 km by road.