"Aah - Taj!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Mumbai by goutammitra

Mumbai Travel Guide: 1,971 reviews and 3,890 photos

Capability To Fight Against All Odds!!

The seven islands that now form Mumbai (Bombay) were first home to the Koli fisher folk whose shanties still occupy parts of the city shoreline today. The islands were ruled by a succession of Hindu dynasties, invaded by Muslims in the 14th century and then ceded to Portugal by the Sultan of Gujrat in 1534. The Portuguese did little to develop them before the major island of the group was included in Catherine of Braganza’s dowry when she married England’s Charles II in 1661. The British Government took possession of all seven islands in 1665 but leased them three years later to the East India Company for a meager annual rent of 10 pounds sterling. Bombay soon developed as a trading port thanks to its fine harbour and the number of merchants who were attracted from other parts of India by British promise of religious freedom and land grants. Migrants included sizeable communities of Parsis and Gujrati, and South Indian Hindus fleeing Portuguese persecution in Goa. Their arrival, and that of later immigrant groups, laid the basis for Bombay’s celebrated multicultural society. Within 20 years, the presidency of the East India Company was transferred to Bombay from Surat, and the town soon became the trading headquarters for the whole west coast of India.

Bombay today known as Mumbai, is a modern commercial city and so cosmopolitan in its appearance and habits that the visitor feels at home on arrival. Bombay is the capital of Maharastra and gateway to this beguiling sub- continent. The name Bombay in its final form dates back to the 18th century. Bombay was a cluster of seven islands called Heptanasia by Ptolemy in 150 A.D. Geologically; Bombay forms a part of peninsular India, which is considered to be the oldest part of the country. Coming by sea or air, the visitor cannot help but notice Bombay’s lovely natural setting – far – away.

The Tajmahal Hotel - Now totally devastated!!

TAJMAHAL HOTEL now totally devastated!

I took this picture of this majestic structure in 2005 but now this place is totally burnt, bruised after the terrorist attack of last week. At least, 97 lives were lost in this hotel who fell to the terrorist's bullets and grenade attack. 14 soldier's life was also lost and most imortant was of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan of NSG. Great world personalities were held as hostages for 68 hours and most of them were killed.

VT connection: Our close VT friend Kashi Mallaya( Mallyak in VT ) of Sydney started his career as five star chef from this hotel. He admits whatever he is today because of The Taj. The two great chefs were killed in the attack ( they came via the kitchen) were his batch mates and very personal friends.

I had taken almost 40 -50 photographs and video from different angles of this majestic structure in 2005 and in 2002. I plan to get those photographs in VT after I assemble them in one place.

The Bombay page was made long back and the tips were not written. But I feel Bombay has many more to offer than what we think. Bombay has many things to offer as commercial capital. In my view aminity wise Bombay is the best among all Indian metros. Bombay is cleaner, transport is better, roads are wider, trains run on time, time is honoured, less polluted, very expensive, very cosmopolitan than any other place of India. The only problem here is availability of accomodation. The city has become so big that it hardly offers budget accomodation to the tourists. The budget accomodation will cost at least 3 to 4 times more than what you get in Calcutta, Chennai, Agra, Jaipur and Delhi. The dormitory rooms will cost about Rs500/- or about USD 10! Very expensive.

Elephanta Caves

ELEPHANTA CAVE.

Last visit to Mumbai: Dec 2009
Intro Updated Jun 8, 2010
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lynnehamman Jun 22, 2010 at 5:55 PM

Fabulous page on Mumbai, Goutam. We visited the High Court- being a lawyer Richard found it interesting. The food tips are excellent- you certainly enjoy your food!
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Faiza-Ifrah Jun 18, 2010 at 8:54 AM

wow! what an informative page, never knew the history and that it consists of 7 islands, will go through your pictures now once again. liked the architecture. mouthwatering pix again of food. i would indulged on squids. Mumbai is much more than Bollywood.
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besal Jun 9, 2010 at 9:30 PM

A rich heritage and a modern city Mumbai is. Excellent tips on this wonderful city, except fried squid...do not like sea food :) Amir
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marvelous_girl Jun 9, 2010 at 4:57 AM

Very well written.i truly enjoyed reading it.u have built a wonderful page about Mumbai.