Mumbai versus Bombay – There should be clarity regarding Mumbai and Bombay. Mumbai is the new name of Bombay, and it was used from the 16th century to 1770. Mumbai became the name of the metropolitan city of Maharashtra, replacing the former name Bombay.
Mumbai was once regarded as the financial district’s ‘financial capital of India.’ It is the most densely settles city in India, with over twenty million occupants.
Bombay is a foreign pronunciation of the Portuguese word “Bombaim,” which is thought to emanate from the term “Bom Bahia,” or “Good Bay.” (Portugal maintained colonies in western India till 1961).
Being a center of trade and commerce, it is also recognized as the most significant Alpha city, holding the largest GDB in Asia and globally. It possesses massive wealth among major cities in the country.
Why the name ‘Mumbai’?
The primary purpose for the change in names is that Mumbai is based on the Hindu name ‘Mumba,’ which was used to indicate the goddess Mumbadevi. It is also said to be part of a Vyakul-brahmin family, ‘Mumba.’ The “Mumba” also happens to be the port of call for famous ships like Vardhman, which was used to refer to Lord Brahma.
Geographical Location
Geographically, Mumbai comprises seven significant islands that were once under Portuguese rule before being captured by the East India Company. The Arabian sea borders Mumbai from the west and the western ghats on the east.
The Western Ghats in Maharashtra act as a watershed for northern and central Indian rivers, including the Bhima, Godavari, and Krishna Rivers. This has given Mumbai a very fertile environment. In the 18th century, the British established a port, which contributed to the increase in the area’s population, thus overshadowing other areas.
The infrastructure in this area also improved; modern buildings were erected, and the roads were expanded. Mumbai begins to flourish and prosper.
Economic Power
The area also improved economically, and the number of business firms also increased, which led to an increase in the number of employees. There was also a high level of employment for laborers. Due to this, the area gained importance and soon became a center for trade within the country.
Later on, the local people of the city became the direct target of business people who used to store their goods for an extended period in the city.
There was a massive demand for space, and the area was soon congested. Later on, business people started to build estates on which they lived and built commercial buildings.
Reasons Why the Name was Changed
There are many reasons why the name was changed from Bombay to Mumbai. To start with, there were two significant reasons for the change in the city’s name. Firstly, there was no meaning in the word Bombay other than being one of the British colonies in India.
The other reason was that Mumbai was mythologically worshipped as the Mumba-Devi, a shakti of Lord Shiva. The Marathi people were against the name Bombay because it did not have any relevance to their land.
Bombay Stock Exchange
Mumbai also gained importance as an expert in textiles, and the Bombay Stock Exchange started to be centered there. By 1902, when electric trams started running in Mumbai, they became a buying point for traders carrying out their business via the port.
The port also served as a place where goods were stored. The traders used to carry out the bulk of their business in Mumbai because they were free from taxes and fees. As a result, the city acquired a good reputation as an important trading center.
Should one say Mumbai or Bombay?
You should use the name Mumbai as it’s the official name of the state and country.
Mumbai is believed to be an Anglicized version of the word ‘Mumba’ which means Goddess Mumbadevi. The goddess is believed to have existed in the Hindu Text since the Vedic era.
How was Mumbai created?
The British created it as a port in the early 18th century. This is evident from the fact that it is an island city, surrounded by water on all sides, and has no natural harbor.
When did Bombay change to Mumbai?
In 1995, India’s interim government changed Bombay’s name to Mumbai.
Conclusion – Mumbai versus Bombay
Mumbai is the new name, and Bombay is the old name of the most famous city in India. Most Movies and documentaries will always feature Mumbai due to the importance of this city. It is also called the financial capital of India or the city of dreams, and all the famous industrialists and Bollywood film stars reside here.
Mumbai has all you can ask for, i.e., Jobs, Business, Ancient places, Tourist attractions, accessible transport, safety, and much more. That’s why you will find people from all parts of India coming to Mumbai to settle down.
