Mumbai Then And Now – Old Mumbai Pictures


From a sleepy Koli fishing hamlet to the financial capital of India, Mumbai has come a long way. Here is a look at this iconic journey, through images

From a sleepy Koli fishing hamlet to the financial capital of India, Mumbai has come a long way. The Portugese who were its earlier occupants gave it its name – ‘Bom Bai’ or ‘The Good Bay’. Initially an archipelago of 7 islands, this port city rose to prominence after the British East India Company deemed it fit for trading and shifted base from Surat. After a series of reclamations and massive construction efforts, Bombay became what is it today – A mega metropolis. Join us in capturing this iconic journey, through seamless images of the past & the present.

The Reclamation

The Archipelago and Its reclamation: The 7 islands of Colaba , Mazagaon, Old Woman’s Island, Wadala, MahimParel, and Matunga-Sion, underwent a series of reclamations, forming the island city of Mumbai that we see today. Full story here.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
The seven islands
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
After Reclamation

 

Gateway of India

The former pier of Apollo Bander, now replaced by the ever popular Gateway of India, a 26m high archway built to commemorate the arrival of King George V and Queen Mary.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Apollo Bunder
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Gateway of India

 

Churchgate Railway station

Bombay was a walled city and Churchgate, now called Veer Nariman Street was one of of three wall gates. It is now home to a new and revamped Churchgate railway station.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Old Churchgate Station
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Old Churchgate Station
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Churchgate Station

 

Victoria Terminus

Where gothic meets mughal. This lovely railway terminus building Victoria Terminus, now called the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, was built in 1887 and is the busiest railway station in India.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Victoria Terminus
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

 

Asiatic Town Hall

This iconic library founded in 1830 and is known to house some very rare book editions, including one of only two known original copies of Dante’s Divine Comedy.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Asiatic Society
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Asiatic Society

 

Bombay University

Iconic. Mammoth. Ancient. One of the oldest public universities in Maharashtra, the University of Mumbai is a landmark structure and is home to the famous Rajabai Tower.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
University of Mumbai’s Fort Campus in 1870s. Rajabai Clock Tower was completed in 1878.
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Completed Rajabai Tower and University Hall
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
umbai University

 

Bhendi Bazaar

The market with the curious etymology. This area was north of Crawford Market and the British referred to it as “Behind the Bazaar”. The natives picked this up as “Bhendi Bazaar” and the named stayed since.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Bhendi Bazaar 1880s
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Bhendi Bazaar

 

Crawford Market

One of South Mumbai’s most famous & busiest markets where even dogs, cats & endangered species are sold. The architecture is predominantly a blend of Norman & Flemish styles.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Crawford Market
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Crawford Market

 

Bhayander Bridge

Built over the Bayander creek and connecting Bayander to Naigon this bridge was so short that very few navigation vessel could pass through.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Bhayander Bridge
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Bhayander Bridge

 

Colaba Causeway

A land link between Colaba & Old Woman’s Island, this commercial stretch of road was the first to host horse-drawn tram cars.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Colaba Causeway
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Cafe Mondegar, marking the beginning of Colaba Causeway, with Taj Hotel in the background

 

Colaba Sea Face

All roads lead to the sea. Leading away from the bustling causeway are tiny perpendicular roads which lead to the serene Colaba seafront.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Colaba Sea Face
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Colaba Sea Face

 

Dadar Station

The station that has terminals on both sides and has an odd penchant for starring in many Bollywood movies, owing to the mammoth number of local trains that pass through.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Dadar Station

 

Bombay High Court

Inaugurated in 1862, Gothic Revival & early English style architecture were the inspirations behind this magnificent building.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Mumbai High Court
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Mumbai High Court

 

Flora Fountain

Standing tall in Martyr square, this ornate fountain with the Roman Goddess Flora standing atop its restless waters, was built in 1864 to commemorate Sir Bartle Frère, the then Governor of Bombay.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Flora Fountain, 1904
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Flora Fountain

 

Malabar Hill

Situated at a height of 50 metres, it is the highest point in South Mumbai and boasts of being one of the most upmarket residential areas in Mumbai. It is also home to the Walkeshwar Temple, founded by the Silhara kings.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Malabar Hill
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
View from Malabar Hill

 

Marine Drive

This iconic 4.3-kilometre-long boulevard is a C-shaped 6 lane concrete road overlooking the Arabian sea, and is home to some of the best art deco architecture in the city.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Old Marine Drive
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Marine Drive

See also Work on Mumbai’s much-needed coastal road to start by December 2016

 

Lamignton Road

Called the IT hub of Mumbai this sleepy stretch from yesteryear is now transformed into a busy thoroughfare near Grant road station.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Lamington Road
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Lamington Road Street View

 

Oval Maidan

Measuring 22 acres in area, this recreational ground is situated in the heart on South Mumbai and overlooks many famous landmark like the Bombay High Court, & University of Mumbai.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Oval Maidan
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Boys in cricket attire on Oval Maidan, High Court, and Rajabai Tower. Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

 

Parsik Tunnel

Once the third largest tunnel in Asia, the Parsik Tunnel is the first railway tunnel to be built in India and is 1.3 Km in length.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Parsik Tunnel
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
A train entering Parsik Tunnel

 

Cuffe Parade

Cuffe Parade was named after T. W. Cuffe of the Bombay City Improvement Trust and was built mostly on reclaimed land. The Cuffe Parade of today is swanky & upmarket with some of its buildings reaching up to 30 storeys high.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Cuffe Parade
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Cuffe Parade

 

Port of Mumbai

Is built natural deep-water harbor in the southern portion of the Ulhas River estuary and is primarily used for bulk cargo. The harbour spreads over 400 square kilometres.

 

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Port of Bombay, 1890′s
Port of Mumbai

 

Elphinstone Circle

Found in the Horniman Circle Gardens, and was completed in 1872, this iconic heritage building housed many luxury brands and leading publication, Hermes and The Times of India to name a few.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Elphinstone Circle
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Elphinstone Circle

 

Yacht Club

The Royal Bombay Yacht Club was founded in 1846 in the Colaba Area, when the British took to Sailing as a sport in India. The Yatch club sits pretty, overlooking the Gateway of India & the Bombay Harbor.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Yacht Club
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Yacht Club

 

Wilson College

One of the oldest colleges in India, the Wison built in 1832, is a structure built in Victorian Gothic style and is known for elevated first floor classrooms with teakwood trusses.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Wilson College

 

Mumba Devi Temple

Dedicated to the Goddess Mumba, a local incarnation of the Devi, the Mumba Devi Temple is a six century old structure and is responsible for giving Mumbai its name. Mumbai is a combination of ‘Mumbā’ and aī, Marathi for “mother”.

From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Mumba Devi Temple
From Bombay to Mumbai – In Pictures
Mumba Devi Temple

 

Interesting facts about Mumbai

  • Did you know, Mumbai is a collection of seven islands. Bombay comprises seven islands, that is, Isle of Bombay, Colaba, Old Woman’s Island or Little Colaba, Mahim, Mazagaon, Parel and Worli. The metropolitan we know of today is these seven islands together.
  • Mumbai was the first to start a bus service in the city and Juhu’s aerodrome was the first in the country.
  • The name Mumbai is derived from the name of the local deity – Mumbadevi. At one point of time, the city was also called Kakamuchee and Galajunkja. During the years of colonisation, multiple references of Mumbai occurred as Mombayn, Bombay, Bombain, Bombaym, Monbaym, Mombaim, Mombaym, Bambaye, Bombaiim, Bombeye, Boon Bay, and Bon Bahi. The reference of the city as Mumbai was also attributed to the Koli fisherfolk who used it since the 16th century.
  • In 1664, Mumbai was acquired by the British and it was part of Catherine of Branganza’s dowry when the sister of Portugal’s king married Charles II of England.

 

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