📜 Timeline of Mumbai’s History
⏳ Ancient & Medieval Period
- 🗿 Prehistoric Era – Evidence of human settlements on Mumbai’s seven islands since the Stone Age.
- 📜 250 BCE – The earliest written mention of Mumbai in Greek sources.
- 🏛 3rd Century BCE – Mumbai was part of Emperor Ashoka’s Mauryan Empire.
- 🏰 Until 1343 CE – The Shilahara dynasty ruled Mumbai.
- 1343 CE – Mumbai came under the Muslim rulers of Gujarat.
- 🕌 Medieval Period – Construction of Elephanta Caves and Walkeshwar Temple.
- ⚔ Yadava Rule – The Yadavas defeated the Shilahara dynasty in a naval battle and ruled Mumbai.
⛵ Colonial Period (Portuguese & British Rule)
- 1534 CE – Portuguese seized Mumbai from Bahadur Shah of Gujarat and named it “Bombaim”.
- 👑 1661 CE – The Portuguese handed Mumbai to the British as dowry when Catherine of Braganza married King Charles II of England.
- 1668 CE – The British Crown leased Mumbai to the East India Company.
- 1687 CE – The East India Company moved its presidency from Surat to Mumbai, making it the capital.
🏙 Development of Mumbai
- 1672 CE – Gerald Aungier, a British officer, introduced English laws, courts, hospitals, and urban planning.
- ⛵ 1817-1845 – Land Reclamation Project connected several islands, increasing Mumbai’s area to 438 sq. km.
- 🚆 1853 – Asia’s first railway line was inaugurated in Mumbai.
- 🌍 1860s – The American Civil War boosted Mumbai’s cotton trade, making it a global hub.
- 🚢 1869 – Opening of the Suez Canal, strengthening Mumbai’s position as a major port.
- 1851 – The first textile mills were established in Mumbai.
- 1865 – Formation of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation.
🛡 Mumbai’s Role in India’s Freedom Struggle
- 1857 – First War of Independence (Revolt of 1857) – Mumbai saw uprisings against British rule, although largely controlled by the British.
- 1885 – Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in Mumbai, marking the beginning of India’s organized freedom movement.
- 1905-1911 – Swadeshi Movement gained momentum in Mumbai; protests and boycotts against British goods intensified.
- 1919 – Jallianwala Bagh massacre protests – Massive demonstrations in Mumbai against British atrocities.
- 1942 – Quit India Movement:
- Mahatma Gandhi launched the movement from Mumbai’s Gowalia Tank Maidan (now August Kranti Maidan).
- Thousands of people protested, and many were arrested by the British.
- 1946 – Royal Indian Navy Mutiny:
- Indian sailors of the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) revolted against British rule in Mumbai.
- This was one of the most significant events leading up to India’s independence.
Independence & Post-Independence Era
- 1947 (15 August) – India gained independence from British rule. Mumbai played a crucial role in the celebrations and the transition to a free nation.
- 1950 – Mumbai became the capital of the bilingual Bombay State.
- 1960 – Formation of Maharashtra:
- The Samyukta Maharashtra Movement demanded a separate state for Marathi-speaking people.
- On 1 May 1960, Maharashtra was officially formed, and Mumbai became its capital after intense protests and sacrifices by Marathi-speaking activists.
- 1970s – Mumbai became India’s financial capital, witnessing rapid industrial growth.
- 1982 – Great Bombay Textile Strike:
- Over 250,000 textile mill workers went on strike, led by Dr. Datta Samant.
- The strike resulted in the decline of Mumbai’s textile industry.
📛 Name Change from Bombay to Mumbai
- 1995 – Bombay renamed Mumbai:
- The Maharashtra government officially changed the name from “Bombay” to “Mumbai” on 4 March 1995.
- The name Mumbai was chosen to honor Mumbadevi, the patron goddess of the Koli community, the city’s original inhabitants.
- The change was seen as a symbol of Maharashtra’s cultural identity and a move away from colonial influence.
📌 Modern Era & Major Events in Mumbai
- 2008 (26/11) – Terrorist attacks in Mumbai:
- Coordinated terrorist attacks at Taj Hotel, Oberoi Trident, CST Station, and Nariman House.
- The attacks left 166 dead and over 300 injured.
- 2010s-Present – Mumbai continues to be a global financial hub, a major tech city, and the heart of Bollywood.
