What Made Bombay One of the 100 Greatest Cities in 1997? A Look Back at the Factors That Put the Indian Metropolis on the Global Map!

 

It has been seen for many years how Bombay (Now Mumbai) has significance in major events. In a Web Series Scam 1992 where the pace of Bombay stock exchange, the Big Bull Play was a battlefield for investors. In many Bollywood films where a New face of Mafia was shown as "Mumbai's Underground" is something to know about. The Slums and their business are under a shadow, The "Wada Pav" and "Pav Bhajji" even the famous Bombay Matka, everyone knows that these are the famous street foods of Mumbai. Not Just the slums, but the Billionaires like Mukesh Ambani. These facts are known by almost every person. In this article, The wide perspective back in the 1990s is illustrated by Chrissane Beckner who wrote "100 Great Cities of World History", her first book. She mentioned Bombay as well.

Bombay was the chief cotton market in Asia. Mumbai became a trade hub during British Rule after the Bombay Port. This port connected the Rest of the world with Asia and created a network for Spices and Cotton trade. When the export of the South was ceased during US Civil war. Many Entrepreneur Families got a good fate with the export of Leather, Cement, and Oil as they belong from an Industrial Corner but many others were moved into poverty that is still seen as Thousands of citizens sleep on the streets. Also, Bombay was a prominent center of Administration and Judiciary with the historic bombay high court.

The major population in Bombay at that time was about 12.9 Million all Hindus. In 2020 the population of Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, and Christians together is about 20.2 Million. According to Global Web World Population, it is predicted that the exponential growth of Mumbai's population would cross 27 Million by 2035.

Bombay created great opportunities for people of India from the British Raj to today onwards. Not just the commerce but sports and Media Industry have been creating jobs since the 1900s.

Before 1890, Gujrat and Maharashtra jointly were part of Bombay, later after severe tensions, it was split into two provincial states leaving the central Bombay char.

Bombay has been a tremendous place for tourism in all aspects. From Big Roads of metropolitan life to small and narrow streets of the urban population. Bombay's tourism exponentially increased by 400% after 1947 independence from British Raj.

Bombay Food has a different identity around Asia. Old Bombay Biriyani or Malai Tikka. Much divine food origin belongs to Bombay. Not just for Hindus but for Muslims as well, like today's Muhammad Ali Road which is a famous and busiest food street during Muslim's Lunar Calendar Month "Ramadan".

Education in Bombay has some old and concrete grassroots. In 1857, the British established the University of Bombay which lead to youth westernizing. 

Reflecting the current sight seen in IIT Bombay.

Poster of Bombay Talkies (Source: Live History India)

Bollywood has the potential to compete with Hollywood in business aspects. Bollywood was completely established in 1930 when the First ever film "Bombay Talkies" was launched. This changed the dimensions of Cinema. One of the biggest Movies has been produced in Bombay-based Production Companies to date making Billions of Indian Rupees.

Credits:

Photo by Darshak Pandya from Pexels.com

Photo by Swati's recipe

Book: 100 Great Cities of World History by Chrissane Beckner