Even as Mumbai keeps growing and changing in its demographics, it culture, its very spirit, we look back at the names it has changed over the centuries... Makes for interesting reading
The oldest known names for the city are Kakamuchee and Galajunkja.
In 1507, it was referred to as Manbai by a Muslim writer.
In 1508, Portuguese writer Gaspar Correia used the name Bombaim, in his Lendas da Índia ("Legends of India").
This name possibly originated as the Old Portuguese phrase bom baim, meaning "good little bay"
In 1516, Portuguese explorer Duarte Barbosa used the name Tana-Maiambu: Tana appears to refer to the adjoining town of Thane
Variations recorded in the 16th and the 17th centuries include:
Mombayn (1525), Bombay (1538), Bombain (1552), Bombaym (1552),
Monbaym (1554), Mombaim (1563), Mombaym (1644), Bambaye (1666), Bombaiim (1666),
Bombeye (1676), and Boon Bay (1690).
Finally after the British gained possession of the city in the 17th century, the name was officially anglicised as Bombay.
By the late 20th century, the city was known as Mumbai or Mambai to Marathi, Konkani, Gujarati, Kannada and Sindhi speakers and as Bambai in Hindi, Persian and Urdu.
The English name was officially changed to Mumbai in November 1995
The name "Mumbai" which was already in vogue in the 16th century and used by the local Koli folks, is derived from Mumba or Maha-Amba—the name of the Koli goddess Mumbadevi—and Aai, "mother" in the language of Marathi.
Ancient yet modern, Mumbai is India in microcosm.
Once a sultry tropical archipelago of seven islands, today it's a teeming metropolis,
Todays Mumbai's vast population comes from diverse ethnic backgrounds and speak dozens of tongues adding colour, flavour and texture to the Great Mumbai Melting Pot.
Mumbai the commercial hub of an old civilization seeking to find its place in the New World Order.
Perhaps in our life-time, we may have a futher change of name to reflect the new Mumbai, the new spirit, the new reailty!
The oldest known names for the city are Kakamuchee and Galajunkja.
In 1507, it was referred to as Manbai by a Muslim writer.
In 1508, Portuguese writer Gaspar Correia used the name Bombaim, in his Lendas da Índia ("Legends of India").
This name possibly originated as the Old Portuguese phrase bom baim, meaning "good little bay"
In 1516, Portuguese explorer Duarte Barbosa used the name Tana-Maiambu: Tana appears to refer to the adjoining town of Thane
Variations recorded in the 16th and the 17th centuries include:
Mombayn (1525), Bombay (1538), Bombain (1552), Bombaym (1552),
Monbaym (1554), Mombaim (1563), Mombaym (1644), Bambaye (1666), Bombaiim (1666),
Bombeye (1676), and Boon Bay (1690).
Finally after the British gained possession of the city in the 17th century, the name was officially anglicised as Bombay.
By the late 20th century, the city was known as Mumbai or Mambai to Marathi, Konkani, Gujarati, Kannada and Sindhi speakers and as Bambai in Hindi, Persian and Urdu.
The English name was officially changed to Mumbai in November 1995
The name "Mumbai" which was already in vogue in the 16th century and used by the local Koli folks, is derived from Mumba or Maha-Amba—the name of the Koli goddess Mumbadevi—and Aai, "mother" in the language of Marathi.
Ancient yet modern, Mumbai is India in microcosm.
Once a sultry tropical archipelago of seven islands, today it's a teeming metropolis,
Todays Mumbai's vast population comes from diverse ethnic backgrounds and speak dozens of tongues adding colour, flavour and texture to the Great Mumbai Melting Pot.
Mumbai the commercial hub of an old civilization seeking to find its place in the New World Order.
Perhaps in our life-time, we may have a futher change of name to reflect the new Mumbai, the new spirit, the new reailty!