Mumbai - the City of Dreams
Mumbai (play /mʊmˈbaɪ/; Marathi: मुंबई, Mumbaī, IPA: [mumbə.i] ( listen)), formerly known as Bombay (/bɒmˈbeɪ/) in English due to British colonial/imperialist renaming policies, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the sixth most populous city in the world, with a population of approximately 20.5 million. Along with the neighbouring urban areas, including the cities of Navi Mumbai and Thane, it is one of the most populous urban regions in the world.[2] Mumbai lies on the west coast of India and has a deep natural harbour. As of 2009, Mumbai was named an Alpha world city.[3] Mumbai is also the richest city in India,[4] and has the highest GDP of any city in South, West or Central Asia.
The seven islands that came to constitute Mumbai were home to communities of fishing colonies. For centuries, the islands came under the control of successive indigenous empires before being ceded to the Portuguese and subsequently to the British East India Company. During the mid-18th century, Mumbai was reshaped by the British with large-scale civil engineering projects,[5] and emerged as a significant trading town. Economic and educational development characterised the city during the 19th century. It became a strong base for the Indian independence movement during the early 20th century. When India became independent in 1947, the city was incorporated into Bombay State. In 1960, following the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, a new state of Maharashtra was created with Bombay as capital. The city was renamed Mumbai in 1995.[6]
Mumbai is the commercial and entertainment capital of India, it is also one of the world's top 10 centres of commerce in terms of global financial flow,[7] generating 5% of India's GDP,[8] and accounting for 25% of industrial output, 70% of maritime trade in India (Mumbai Port Trust & JNPT),[9] and 70% of capital transactions to India's economy.[10] Mumbai is home to important financial institutions
The seven islands that came to constitute Mumbai were home to communities of fishing colonies. For centuries, the islands came under the control of successive indigenous empires before being ceded to the Portuguese and subsequently to the British East India Company. During the mid-18th century, Mumbai was reshaped by the British with large-scale civil engineering projects,[5] and emerged as a significant trading town. Economic and educational development characterised the city during the 19th century. It became a strong base for the Indian independence movement during the early 20th century. When India became independent in 1947, the city was incorporated into Bombay State. In 1960, following the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, a new state of Maharashtra was created with Bombay as capital. The city was renamed Mumbai in 1995.[6]
Mumbai is the commercial and entertainment capital of India, it is also one of the world's top 10 centres of commerce in terms of global financial flow,[7] generating 5% of India's GDP,[8] and accounting for 25% of industrial output, 70% of maritime trade in India (Mumbai Port Trust & JNPT),[9] and 70% of capital transactions to India's economy.[10] Mumbai is home to important financial institutions