Mumbai means "Mother Mumba," derived from the Marathi words Mumbā (referring to the Hindu goddess Mumbadevi) and āī ("mother"). It is the capital of Maharashtra state, formerly known as Bombay, and the name reflects the local Koli community's patron deity, honoring the city's heritage.
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.
a large city on the west coast of India that is the capital of Maharashtra state. It used to be called Bombay. Towns & regions: city names & their inhabitants. Aberdeen. Aberdonian.
but every Indian speaker (without exception) called it Bombay! Incidentally why does the BBC dutifully use these 'new' names for Indian cities, whilst continuing to refer to Venice (not Venezia) and Florence (not Firenze) etc.
In May 1661, as per the marriage alliance between Charles II of England and Catharine of Braganza, the Portuguese king's daughter, Bombay was given to the English as dowry. However, the Portuguese still retained possession of Bassein, Salsette, Sion, Dharavi, Mazagaon, Worli, Parel and Wadala.
Other noted street foods in Mumbai include Dabeli, panipuri, bhelpuri, sevpuri, dahipuri, sandwiches, ragda-pattice, pav bhaji, Chinese bhel, Khaman, Dhokla, idlis, and dosas, all of which are vegetarian. In terms of non-vegetarian offerings, omelette-pav, kebabs, and fish are found on Mumbai streets.
"Maharashtra" is derived from the Marathi words "Maha" (meaning great) and "Rashtra" (meaning nation). So, it can be interpreted to mean "Great Nation" or "Great State." Great news was further added by great heroes, embodies a rich legacy.
The Mumba Devi Temple, from whom the city of Mumbai may derive its name. The oldest known names for the city are Kakamuchee and Galajunkja; these are sometimes still used. Portuguese writer Gaspar Correia recorded the name "Bombaim" after 1512 in his Lendas da Índia (Legends of India).
Professor Joefe Santarita, dean of the University of the Philippines Asian Center and an expert on Indian Studies, said scholars believe the term "Bumbay" came from Bombay (or Mumbai), the place of departure of most Punjabis and Sikhs who have migrated to the Philippines.
Jatindranath Mukherjee, popularly known as Bagha Jatin, played a crucial role in India's freedom movement. With a dream of saving his motherland from the clutches of British rule, the revolutionary led the Jugantar party in Bengal.
In 1946, Britain announced it would grant India independence. No longer able to afford to administer the country, it wanted to leave as quickly as possible. The last viceroy, Lord Mountbatten, set the date as 15 August 1947.
Why are there 2 capitals in Maharashtra? Maharashtra's two capitals, Mumbai and Nagpur, exist to balance administrative functions and give representation to the Vidarbha region. The winter legislative session in Nagpur ensures this balance.
Therefore Indore is also called as Mini-Mumbai. It is also a melting pot of different ethnic groups such as Marathi, Gujarati, Marwari, Muslims and Sindhi etc.
Mumbai is leading the chart. The financial capital of India, with a projected GDP of around INR 25.73 lakh crore in 2025, is the country's main economic hub. The city is home to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and some major corporate headquarters. It is also Bollywood's home.
The most popular way to say hello in Hindi is namaste (नमस्ते), which means “I bow to you.” When you use this greeting, you're acknowledging something special in the person you're meeting. People typically join their palms together in front of their chest and slightly bow their head while saying it.
Mumbai is famous for its handmade fabrics, textiles and jewellery. One can also shop at the markets like Chor Bazaar for knick knacks like antique clocks, wooden furnishings and paintings. A main reason to visit Mumbai is the food.
