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Chapter - 0 3 Profile of City District

Content -

• Introduction

• History of Name ‘Mumbai’

• Mumbai History

• Administration

• Transportation

• M u m b ai City District

• Sliopping in Mumbai Introduction -

This chapter provides information about the area of research. Chapter reveals the and also provides current condition about the administration and transport in Mumbai. It further discusses the geographical features of '’ and discusses about some of the famous shopping places in Mumbai City.

Mumbai, also known as ‘Bombay’ in its early years, is the capital of Indian State of

Maharashtra. Mumbai is situated on the west coast of . The seven islands that constitute city have the history of fishing colonies. It consists of two regions, Mumbai

City District and . The city district region is also known as ‘Island City’ or ‘’.' The total area of Mumbai is 603.4 km^, out of which city spans 67.79 km^ and suburban spans 370 km^, remaining area belongs to

Defense, , National Park etc^... Mumbai lies at the mouth of on the western coast of India. This coastal region is also known as the

Konkan and it shares boundaries with district.^

Mumbai has tropical wet and dry climate, which includes seven months of dryness and monsoon in June to September. Occasionally, it rains during October and November. The cooler season occurs between December to February, followed by the summer seasons from March to June. Mumbai is the largest city by population and it is the financial and commercial capital of the country.'' Till 1970, Mumbai was largely known for its textile mills and the seaport. As of 2008, the World Cities Study Group

(GaWC) has ranked Mumbai as an ‘Alpha World City’, third in its categories of

Global Cities. Mumbai was ranked among the fastest cities in the country for business startup in 2009.^

' "Once Upon a Time in Bombay". Foreign Policy. 24 June 2011. Retrieved from www.foreignpolicy.com/Articies, Retrieved on 24 February 2012. ■ "Area and Density - Metropolitan Cities". Ministry of Urban Development (), p. 33. Retrieved 15 April 2010. ’ Greater B o m b a y District Gazetteer 1960, p. 2, official site o f Mu m b a i city collector. ■’"Mumbai, a land of opportunities - Times O f India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 20 July 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2011. ^ " G A W C World Cities Ranking List". Diserio.com. Retrieved from www.diserio.com/gawc-world- cities on 5 M a y 2010.

98 Picture No. 3.1

Mumbai Map

Haji All * Mahalaxrm Temple Jj Hanging Garden Taraporewa Aquarium Raj Bhavan ShivajiTerminus Marine Driv^ Sachivalaya j^^beroi Towers i Chowpatty Beacf Pnnce ofWales Museum World Trade Centre, ■Nanman Point c o la b a I Shahid Bhagat Singh Rd Mumbai

Source: Google Maps

99 3.1 History of Name - ‘Mum bai’ -

Mumbai has a very long history of its changing names. The oldest known names for the city are ‘Kokamuchee’ and ‘Galajunkja’ which are hardly known to anybody these days.^ The history of the names of Mumbai goes back to 1507 with 'Ali Mohammad Khan’ first referred it as ‘Manbai’. In 1508 Portuguese writer used name ‘Bombaim’ in his book “Legends of India”. The meaning of Bombaim according to protuguese phrase is ‘Good Little Bay’.’

In 1516 another Portuguese explorer named it as ‘Maiambu’ on the name of local

Hindu goddess of “Mumbadevi”. The other variations recorded in the 16'*^ and 17'’’ centuries are: Mombayn (1525),

Bombay (1538),

Bombain (1552),

Monbaym (1554), (fe7JAYAK.\RV4 Mombaim (1563), \\lUiriRARY/5/ Mombaym (1644), Bombaye (1666),

Bombaiim (1666),

Bombeyee (1676), Boom Bay (1690).

lf\ 12-3Sg In the 17'’’ century, the Protuguese name it officially as Bombay. The English name

was officially changed to “Mumbai” in November 1995 due to efforts of a political

party belongs to ‘’. Since then mentions of the city name

other then Mumbai have been controversial, and resulted in emotional outburst among

local people and sometimes between political parties.

* Patel, Sujata; Masselos, Jim, eds. (2003). " B o m b a y a n d M u m b a i : identities, Politics a n d Populism". B o m b a y and Mumbai. The City in Transition. , India: The Oxford University Press. ’ Shirodkar, Prakashchandra P. (1998). Researches in Indo-Portuguese history 2. Publication Scheme. ISBN 978-81-86782-15-6.

100 3.2 History of Mumbai-

PreIndependence:

Mumbai was built on seven island which are - Bombay Island, , ,

Mahim, , and Old Woman’s Island also known as little colaba.* There is no evidence on since when these islands exists, but according to some local knowledge history of these island goes back to "Stone Age” which were occupied later by fishing communities.

In 1407 these islands were governed by ‘Gujrat Sultanate'. ^ This sultanate led construction of many in Mumbai. The is one of famous construction of ‘Gujrat Sultanate in 1431. was the dominant power in the Indian subcontinent during mid of 16"’ century. The '’ was signed by ‘Gujrat Sultanate’ with the ‘’ on 2^'^ December 1534. According to the treaty the seven island of Bombay, and some other part was offered to the Portuguese.The Portuguese are very much influential in the growth of

Roman Catholic religions in Bombay. These islands were leased to the British East

India Company in 1668 for a sum of £10 per annum by the Royal Charter of 27‘^

March 1668. In 1687, the British Company transferred its headquarters from to Bombay.

The city was reshaped with large scale civil engineering projects aimed at merging all the seven islands into a single in 1782 onwards. This project known as “Hornby Vellard” was completed by 1784. ‘‘ in 1817, British under M.

Elphinstone defeated ‘Baji Rao 11’, the last of the in the Battle of

Khadki. This success of British witnessed freedom of Bombay from all attacks by native powers. The in 1845 brought all seven islands together.

Farooqui, A m a r (2006). Opium city: the making of early Victorian Bombay. Three Essays Press. ISBN 978-81-88789-32-0. ’David, M. D. (1995). Bombay, the city of dreams: a history of the first city in India. Himalaya Publishing House. Greater B o m b a y District Gazetteer. State Gazetteers, v. 27, no. 1. Gazetteer Department (Government of Maharashtra). I960. " Dwivedi, S. and Mehrotra, R. (2001). Bombay: The Cities Within. Eminence Designs. ISBN 81- 85028-80-X.

101 On 16’'^ April 1853, India’s first passenger railway line was established, connecting Bombay to the neighboring town of Thane.The opening of the ‘Suez Canal’ in 1869 transformed Bombay into one of the largest seaports on the . As the capital of the , it witnessed the Indian Independence Movement, with the ‘’ in 1942 and ‘The Royal Mutiny’ in 1946 are some landmark events of that.'^

Picture No. 3.2 Land Reclamation Project of Seven Islands

'■ Dwivedi, S. and Mehrotra, R. (2001). Bombay: The Cities Within. Eminence Designs. ISBN 85028-80-X. " ibid

102 Post Independence:

After the independence in 1947, the territory of Bombay Presidency retained by India was restructured into . On April 1950, Municipal limits of Bombay were expanded by merging the ‘Bombay Suburban District' and Bombay City’ to form ‘Bombay Municipal Corporation’. The Sanyukta Maharashtra Movement to create a separate Maharashtra state including Bombay was in its peak in 1950s, following the protests during the movement in which 105 people were killed. The

Bombay Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) was set up on 26''’

January 1975 by the Government of Maharashtra as an apex body responsible for planning and development in the metropolitan cities.

Mumbai has witnessed changes since independence. Emerge of film industry, sometimes also known as , has also contributed in the mass development of the city. City also attracts many tourists. Many transporters has started special service of ‘Mumbai Darshan’ on daily basis where one can enjoy the ride that covers all famous spots of city. Rail transport is considered as the lifeline of the city as it convenient and comparatively cheap mode of transport that links with almost all the parts of Mumbai City District and Suburban District.

Apart from the developmental history, Mumbai has also witnessed incidences that broke peacefulness of the city. Following the demolition of the ‘Babri-Masjid’ in , the city was rocked by -Muslim riots of 1992-93 in which more than 1000 people were killed. On 12"^ March 1993, a series of 13 co-ordinated bombing at several city landmarks has resulted in 257 deaths and over 700 injuries. In

2006, 209 people were killed and more than 700 were injured when seven bombs were exploded on the city’s Commuters trains. The blasts that occurred at the Opera

House, Zaveri Bazaar and on 13 July 2011 were the latest in the series of terrorist attacks on Mumbai.'"'

"Three bomb blasts in Mumbai, 18 dead, over 130 injured". Retrieved from http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/three-bomb-blasts-in-mumbai-18-dead-over-130-injured. Retrieved 14 July 2011.

103 3.3 Administration -

Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation (BMC) an civic body administers the city. BMC is the largest civic organization in the country.'" The exercises jurisdiction over Maharashtra, , and . The two revenue districts of Mumbai come under the jurisdiction of a District Collector. The Collectors are in charge of property records and revenue collection for the Central Government.

The is headed by the a Police Commissioner, who is an (IPS) officer. The Police department comes under the state Home Ministry.

The city is divided into seven police zones and seventeen traffic police zones'^ each headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police. The department is headed by the Chief Fire Office, who is assisted by four Deputy Chief Fire Officers and six Divisional Officers'^.

In the Indian National Elections held every five years, Mumbai represented by six parliamentary constituencies. In the Maharashtra state assembly elections held every five years. Mumbai is represented by 36 assembly constituencies.'* A Member of the

Legislative Assembly (MLA) to the Maharashtra “Vidhan Sabha” is elected from each of the assembly constituencies. Elections are held every five years to elect cooperators to power in the BMC. The Corporation comprises 227 directly elected

Councilors representing the 24 municipal wards, five nominated Councilors having special knowledge or experience in municipal administration and a Mayor.

Available from http://www.mcgm.gov.in/ Retrieved on 22 July 2 0 1 1. "Mumbai Plan". Department of Relief and Rehabilitation (Government of Maharashtra). Retrieved 29 April 2009. 18 & Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888" (PDF). State Election Commissioner (Government of Maharashtra). Retrieved 30 M a y 2010.

104 3.4 Transport-

City has various sources of public and private transport. It includes -

Mumbai Suburban Railway system also known as Local runs on a daily basis. It has the highest passenger densities of any urban railway system in the world. It is considered as the backbone of city transport. It is operated by Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR). The Central Railway headquarter is at 'Chhatrapati Terminus’ (CST) earlier known as ‘Victoria Terminus' (VT) and the Western Railway (WR) headquarters at .

Public buses run by the BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) cover almost all parts of the metropolis, as well as parts of , Mire- and Thane. The Best operates a total of 4500 buses.^'

Mumbai is served by two major ports. Mumbai Port Trust and Port

Trust, lies just across the creek in Navi Mumbai. Mumbai Port has one of the best natural harbors in the world, and has extensive wet and dry dock facilities. , commissioned on 26‘*^ May 1989, is the busiest and most modern major port in India.

Mumbai is served by National Highway 3 (Mumbai - Agra), National Highway 4

(Mumbai - Chennai), National Highway 8 (Mumbai - Delhi), National Highway 17

(Mumbai - Goa), and National Highway 222 (Mumbai - Adilabad) of India’s

National Highways system . The Mumbai- Expressway was the first expressway built in India.

"Overview of existing M u m b a i suburban railway". Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation. Archived from the original on 20 June 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2011. ■' "Times of India Publications". Lite.epaper.timesofindia.com. 16 M a y 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2012. ” Available f i ' o m http://pib.nic.in/archieve/lreleng/lyr2003/rjan2003/07012003/r070120037.html Retrieved on 23 July 2012 ” Kumar, K.P. Narayana; Chandran, Rahul (6 March 2008). "NHAI starts work on Rs 6,672 cr expressway". Mint. Retrieved 30 June 2012.

105 The ‘Chatrapati Shivaji Intenational Airport’ earlier known as Shahara International

Airport is the main aviation hub in the city and the second busiest airport in India in terms of passenger traffic.

3.5 M um bai City District -

Mumbai City District is a district of Maharashtra in Kokan Division. As a city district, it has no headquarters or subdivisions. It along with the Mumbai Suburban District makes up the metropolis of Mumbai. The city is also known as ‘Island City’ or South

Mumbai’ or Old Mumbai. It extends from Colaba in the south to and Sion in the north. The city covers area of 67.7 km^.

According to the 2011 census Mumbai City District has a population of 3,085,411 of which male and female were 1,684,608 and 1,400,803 respectively.^"* It ranks Mumbai City 110*'’ out of 640 cities. The population density for city is 21,261 per square kilometer. Mumbai City has a sex ratio of 838 females for every 1000 males. And the literacy rate of 89.21%.^^ On 1950 Municipal limits of ‘Bombay’ were expanded to form ‘Greater Bombay Municipal Corporation’ by merging ‘Mumbai City District’ and ‘Mumbai Suburban District’

For administered purpose Mumbai is divided into 6 Zones. Zone 1 and 2 constitute

‘Mumbai City Districts’ and remaining zones ‘Mumbai Suburban District’. For

Mumbai City District Zone 1 (A, B, C, D and E) and Zone 2 (F and G) consists total 9

Wards. Details of Ward wise area. Population and Area comes under respective ward is as follows^^ -

2‘‘*- 5 Available from http://www.census2011.co.in/census/district/357-mumbai-city.html Retrieved on 20 June, 2012. R a j adhyaksha, M . (2013, A u g u s t 10). M a j o r disparity m a r k s literacy levels in city. T h e T i m e s o f India, p. 6.

106 Table No. 3.1 Ward Wise Categorization of Mumbai City District.

Area Population Ward Area Under Ward (km') In Lakhs

Fort, parts of Dock Area, Ballard Estate,

Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, D'Mello Road, 11.41 1.85 Netaji Subhash Marg (Marine Drive Sea), AP Marg, Lokmanya Tilak Marg and

Colaba.

D'Mello road. IR Road, Abdul Rehman

B 2.47 1.27 Street, RB Marg. M A Road, JMR Marg and Lokmanya Tilak Marg.

Chandanwadi, parts of IR Road, Abdul

Rehman Street, Netaji Subhash Road,

Maulana Shaukatali Road, Trimbak Parshuram St., Ardeshir Dady Jaykar St, 1.78 1.66 Vitthalbhai Patel Road, Babasaheb J. Marg. Lokmanya Tilak Marg. Vasudeo

Balvant Phadke Chowk, Anandilal Poddar

Marg & Marine Drive.

Grant Road, V. P. Road, Ardeshir Dadi Street, Trimbak Parshuram Street, Sukhiaji

Street, Netaji Subhash Road, D. N.

Purandare Marg, Band Stand,

Road, B. Indrajit Road, Bhulabhai Desai D 6.63 3.47 Road up to Haji Ali, Boman Behram Marg.

Aurthur Road, Road, Cumballa and

Malabar Hills, Keshavrao Khade Marg, B. Jaikar Marg up to Naka,

Crossing M. K. Road up to Seashore.

107 Continued from last page... Area Ward Population Area Under Ward (km^)

Byculla, parts of Reay Road, West Sane Guruji Marg, Sukhalaji Street, Dattaram E 7.4 3.93 Lad Marg, South Ramchandra Bhatt Marg, Wadi Bunder and Maulana Shaukataii Road.

F 14 3.61 Parel, South

F 12.98 5.29 , Sion North

G 10 3.78 Worli, , South

G 9.07 5.99 Dadar, Mahim, Prabhadevi North

Picture 3.3

Map for Zone 1 and 2 of Mumbai City District

Source ; Google Maps

108 3.6 Shopping in Mumbai -

Mumbai always has an influential entrepreneurial culture, where people are working on a fast pace to update their lives. Mumbai always seems to follow western countries footsteps, and ‘Passion for Fashion’ is the universally accepted formula among the youth of this city. Shopping becomes exciting and exhilarating activity for all people in Mumbai. Hindi movie industry known as Bollywood, always seems to appeal people to try new things. One can spend hours in exploring famous markets as Chor

Bazaar or Thieves Market, , Mutton Street, Linking Road, Fashion

Street, Zaveri Bazar etc... With modern lifestyle the demand for luxuries goods is ever increasing in these parts, which gives opportunity of counterfeiting and Piracy.

Following are some of very famous locations where one can find all kinds of goods from basic necessities to heavy, expensive luxuries goods.

Chor Bazaar -

A mispronunciation of original word as ‘Shor Bazaar’ means ‘Noisy Market’ established during British region in India has become famous with new name as ‘Chor

Bazaar’ means ‘Thieves Market. A popular story about the origin of the name of the market is that a some belonging of ‘’ went missing while being unloaded from the ship when she was on a visit to Bombay, and were later found for the sale in the thieves market.

The market is perfect destination to buy all types of goods like furniture, jewelry, cloths and electronic goods at very cheap rates if one has good bargaining skills. Chor

Bazaar is surrounded by Muslim architectural building and surrounding. Located on

Mutton Street, the area is fully covered with buildings, crowded streets, crumbling shops gives impression of old days. In spite of its reputation market is said to sell mostly second-hand goods rather than stolen goods. This market is now famous for antique and vintage items. The closest railway station to Chor Bazaar is ‘Grant Road’ on Western Railway.

Available from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chor Bazaar Retrieved on 23 June 2012.

109 Location: Mutton Street, Between S.V. Road and M. S. Ali Road in South Mumbai. Timing: Daily 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Friday Closed)

2. Crawford Market -

The old style market has an historic colonial building spread over an area of 72,000 sq. yards. The market founded in 1871, was originally known as ‘Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Market’, it got the name ‘Crawford Market’ after city’s Municipal Commissioner, . The construction of the building was completed in 1869.

Crawford market is a popular spot for buying all household items. This market is one of the exciting shopping place in the city. For sale market has different varieties of fresh fruits, vegetables and poultry. Variety of cosmetics, lady products, candles, balloons, snow sprays, dry fruits etc... can also easily found in the market. The

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) is located very near to the Crawford market.

Location: Lokmanya Tilak Marg, area. South Mumbai.

Timings: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday open only on morning hrs.

3. -

An ever crowded place in the heart of Mumbai is always linked with the fashion and youth. The market attracts teenagers and college students who want to stay in touch with changing fashion. The place is very well known for western clothes and fake branded goods at very cheap price. With over 250 shops, market provides ideal platform for people who want to choose from variety of options.

The types of clothes fashion street is famous for are trendy jeans, track pants, shirts, tops, night wear, toddlers cloths, caps, earrings, sport shoes, kolhapuri chappals, belts etc... majority of cloths available are rejected from export or the cloths that has miner

Available from http://www.mumbai.org.uk/crawford-market.html Retrieved on 23 June 2012.

110 defects. All shops at Fashion Street are open for exchange in limited time given by the seller. Good bargaining at Fashion Street will always end in having good deal for cloths. The market is easily reached from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST).

Location; Opposite , K.B. Patil Marg, M.G.Road, South Mumbai. Timings: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Daily.

4. Zaveri Bazaar -

A market very famous for the sell of gems and jewels, is situated at ‘Bhuleshwar’ in

South Mumbai, just nort of ‘Crawford Market’. Like all other markets in Mumbai, Zaveri Bazaar also includes narrow lanes covered with hundreds of jewelry shops.

Nearly 65% of all gold trading and dealing in India is estimated to originate from the market.

This market is major hub for Business to Business deals in India. Top quality gold and

Silver coins as well as bars with 100% quality assured can be found in this market.

The market established in 1864 is famous for gems and precious stones from its early years. Apart from jewels one can easily find photo frames, clips, tea-sets, dinnerware, toys and other luxury lifestyle articles crafted our of expensive metals at some of the

shops in Zaveri Bazaar. Due to its iconic importance it has been targeted three times

in Mumbai since 1993. Bombings in this are took place in 1993, 2003 and the recently on 13'*^ July 2011. Zaveri Bazaar is located close to the ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus’ (CST) and can be accessed by any of the public or private transport from

CST stations very easily.

Location: Bhuleshwar, South Mumbai.

Timings: 10 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. (Sunday Closed)

Apart from above mentioned four very famous markets there are other shopping places of Mumbai City that can easily fulfill one’s desire of shopping. To name few of

them, ‘’ market situated in colaba, south Mumbai is also famous

Bhayani, Rajesh (15 July 2001). "Zaveri B a z a a r gets u sed to its sitting d u c k tag". Business Standard. Retrieved 15 July 2011.

Ill with title tag of ‘Sab Kuch Milta hai’ means you will get everything. One can buy from balloon, road maps to heavy and luxuries items from this market. The ‘Heera Panna Shopping Centre’ located at Haji Ali is another treat for shopping freak people. Market sells electronic appliances, accessories, jewelry, clothes, home furnishings and much more. The ‘Kalabadevi Market’ is another of same type situated on linking road, is famous for selling all kinds of branded goods.

Conclusion:

Mumbai is really an ultimate destination of shopping. City always offers verity of places for shopping. One of the main features of these markets is that one can find upcoming trendy features offered to the people at very cheap or at bargaining rates.

Roads in Mumbai are always full with teenagers who are on the look out for new things. The ‘City of Dreams’ lives up to it name and fame by working 24 X 7. One can hardly find a dull moment in Mumbai.

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