Mumbai
Location:
West India
Famous As: commercial city of India
Mumbai Climate: Normal
Mumbai earlier known as Bombay
With a growing, diverse population and an eye on business, Mumbai is quintessentially cosmopolitan while still holding on to its typical Indian charm. Mumbai also called Bombay is an interesting mix of grit and elegance. Vestiges of the city’s historic past co-exist with modernity, creating a vibrant waterfront city with charming neighborhoods and rich culture.
Mumbai History
Originally consisting of seven islands, Mumbai was the settlement of
tiny Koli fishing communities. The area came under the sway of many dynasties
at different times. The Muslim Sultanate of Gujarat took the place under
its control in the fourteenth century by the Muslim Gujarat Sultanate.
The city was ceded to the Portuguese in 1534 by Sultan Bahadur of Ahmedabad.
The city became part of the British rule in 1661 when it was handed over
to the English, as part of the dowry when the Portuguese infanta Catherine
of Braganza married Charles II.
The arrival of the Great Indian Peninsular Railway in the 1850s went a
long way in improving communications. The immigration to city began to
increase and still continues to be. As the most prosperous city in India,
it is no surprise that Bombay played an important part in the freedom
struggle. It was an important centre of the Quit Indian Movement launched
by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942. Since India’s Independence in 1947, Mumbai
has grown to be India’s commercial capital. The period has witnessed
the tenfold growth of population that currently stands on sixteen million.
Mumbai sights and tourist attractions
Mumbai is a city of fascinating contradictions: both home to the relics
of the Raj and a modern sprawl of concrete jungle that's basking in the
glow of burgeoning Indian economy. When you first encounter Mumbai, there
is every likelihood that you'll be struck by its ambiance. The city will
not disappoint a traveller looking for historic buildings, museums and
cultural sites.
Kick off tour from the most famous colonial monument of Mumbai, Gateway
of India. Visit superb Prince of Wales Museum where you can look at the
antiquities in the Museum . Take a 15-minute walk north to the Fort Area,
home of all the banks and big stores, apart from a host of Raj-era Gothic
architectural highlights. The splendid Victoria Terminus (Chatrapathi
Shivaji Terminus) is a wonderful colonial -era building, close to the
striking onion dome of the GPO.
An ideal area to explore on foot in Mumbai is the Marine Drive/Chowpatty
Beach stretch, where the city is at its most exuberant. Take a launch
trip to the Elephanta Island, home to the beautiful rock-cut Shiva temple.
You may visit the exclusive Malabar Hill.
The central bazaars of Mumbai extend from Crawford Market.
Mumbai shopping
Mumbai is an ideal place to shop for everything. You can find last-minute
souvenirs as well as essentials for the long journeys ahead.
There are shopping malls everywhere in Mumbai and hardly anything you
can buy in great cities of the world that you can't purchase in the city.
However is worth while to spend time in visiting the different markets
of Mumbai.
Mumbai boasts more than 70 markets. The Chor Bazaar (Thieves' Market)
Mutton St., off Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rd.; Sat-Thurs 11am-7pm) is the
centre of Mumbai's antique trade. The Zaveri (goldsmiths') bazaar (Sheik
Memon St.; Mon-Sat 11am-7pm), opposite Crawford Market, is the place to
head for new gold and silver jewellery, ethnic carvings and household
décor. Bhuleshwar Wholesale Flower Market is famous for different
kinds of flowers.
Mumbai has a number of swish modern shopping centres , including India's
largest, Crossroads, at 28 Pandit MM Rd near the Haj Ali mosque. Crawford
Market now called Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market (Lokmanya Tilak Marg and
Dr. Dadabhai Naoroji Rd.; Mon-Sat 11:30am-8pm), dates back to the 1860s.
A distinctively Indian bazaar of combining the modern fragrance, the market
is worth visiting.
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market
A blend of Norman and Flemish architectural styles flaunting a bas relief depicting Indian peasants amid wheat fields just above the main entrance, the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market, earlier known as Crawford Market, is a shopper’s paradise. It allows you to pick and choose your sort of item from a massive array of products. The structure of the market is particularly a notable feature
Balanced between what was the former the British Fort and the local town, Crawford Market exudes elements of both worlds. The construction of the market building was completed in 1869. Spread across an area of around 22,471 sq meters of which 5,515 sq meters alone is occupied by the structure itself. The building was constructed using coarse buff colored Kurla stone and with red stone from Bassein. The 50 feet high skylight awning has been designed to allow the sunlight to bathe the entire marketplace, thus giving a refreshing look.
Interestingly, the frieze of the building of Crawford Market was designed by Lockyard Kipling, father of the eminent Rudyard Kipling. Presently christened after a local patriot called Jyotiba Phule, this market looks more like something straight out of Victorian London, with its sweet smell of fodder and the awning. One of the prime features of the building is the Clock Tower, which is embellished with ornate Victorian carvings.
Scanning through mountains of fruits and fresh vegetables can be exhausting at times – so massive is the entire affair. Pedestals loaded with piles of fresh fruits and vegetables, are sold here at wholesale rates. If you want you can also pick some fresh cheese and yummy chocolates here. Not to mention the meat and poultry stalls, which ensure a wide variety to the customers at affordable rates.
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