Around the World in 106 Days with Ray & Claire!! Part 13 - Mumbai

1. Around the World in 106 Days with Ray & Claire!! Part 13 - Mumbai

2. Bombay was first settled by a community of Kolifisher folk who lived on the seven islands during the 2nd Century BC In 1996, the name of this city was changed to Mumbai (although most of the older generation still call it Bombay!!) it is now the capital of the Indian state of Ma-har-ash-tra, located on the west coast of India. A city of extreme contrasts, present day Mumbai has materialised as the largest metropolis in India, with around 16 million people, and its the second most populous city in the world. Mumbai is the financial capital of India and it has also gained the name of “City Of Dreams”, for Mumbai is home of the famous Indian film industry, that we know as “Bollywood”.

3. . These islands were under the control of a succession of Hindu dynasties for a spell around the 6th century AD before the Muslim Sultans of Gujarat surrendered the area to the Portuguese in 1534, who christened it BomBahai, meaning Good Bay or Good Harbour When these rulers came under attack from the Moghuls, the Portuguese stepped in to assist, and together they won against the enemy. As per a mutual treaty, Mumbai was then taken over by the Portuguese and Muslim rule came to an end The islands were eventually given as a dowry gift to the Portuguese Princess, Catherine of Braganza, when she married England’s Charles II

4. Come on slow-coach – the busses are waiting outside!!

5. Well, yes they are.... but in here.. ....they are packing hundreds of tons of chick peas for the world market!

6. Bombay became the base for the Indian independence movement and it was from here that Mahatma Gandhi launched the “Quit India” campaign in 1942 Gandhi’s residence in Bombay 1917-1934

7. Mani Bhawan is the house where Gandhi stayed whilst in Mumbai The house actually belonged to Gandhi’s friend, and it was here in this house - in November 1921 - that he fasted for four days in order to restore peace to the city Ghandi’s room - as it is today This is his old spinning wheel - which in many ways symbolised the struggle for independence – and now appears on the Indian flag

8. This house has now been converted into a museum of Ghandi’s life – and here is the library of books read and about Ghandi (also a more modern “spinning wheel”)

10. Judging by the amount of handbags that “some” people have purchased – they will need an armoured and camouflaged car to get them home!

11. Parallel to the Promenade, is The Gateway of India Built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay in 1911, it was opened to the general public in 1924. (ironically, it was used in 1948 to parade off the last British Regiment as India gained Independence!)

12. Built of basalt, this colonial triumphal arch faces out to Mumbai Harbour from the Tip of Apollo Bunder

13. Not far from the Gateway landmark is the TajMahal Palace and Tower which dates from 1903 and serves as a 5 star hotel with over 560 rooms It was built by a man named Jamsetji Tata who decided to build the hotel after he was refused entry to the Watsons Hotel (one of the City’s grandest hotels of the time) stopped him as it was for Whites Only

14. Built at a cost then of around £127,000 it really was very grand and consisted of two buildings, built at two different times in two architectural styles. It was the first hotel in India to have a steam elevator, as well as being the first hotel venue to import German elevators, Turkish baths, English butlers and American fans. Where the Tower stands today used to be Green’s Hotel, which had a reputation for sailors and wild parties due to its relatively cheap rates. In 1973 the hotel was demolished and the Tower wing was constructed in its place

15. The Tower wing was refurbished in the 1990’s but in 2008 the Hotel was severely damaged as a result of the Mumbai terrorist attacks and hostages were held inside, for around 60 hours. Following the attacks the hotel is being refurbished at a cost of several million rupees

16. Claire with our Tour Guide

17. Women trying to gain support for a lady member of Parliament The National flag also had a hand in the middle of them to symbolise women's rites

19. There are however plenty of museums to visit. • In particular the Chhat-ra-patiShevajee ma-har-ajVastoo sang-ra-ha-laya • (or to me and you the Prince of Wales Museum!) • is Mumbai’s biggest and best museum situated in the KhalaGoda • The Foundation Stone of the Museum was laid by the Prince of Wales (who later was King George V) in November 1905 and it was then called the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India. When Bombay was changed to Mumbai, so the name of the museum changed from the Prince of Wales to Chat.....etc. in honour of the founder of the Maratha Empire

21. The KhalaGodaMuseum is where you will find the main art galleries and museums within the city and where cultural festivals and the like take place. The name translates as Black Horse in reference to a black stone statue of the then Prince of Wales mounted on a horse – and it is still known by this name today.

22. The Watson Hotel is now known as the Esplanade Mansion and is India’s oldest surviving Cast Iron Building Named after John Watson the original owner, the building was actually fabricated in England, resembling various high profile 19th century buildings in London such as Crystal Palace, and was shipped over to this site in the early 1860s The hotel closed down in the 1960s, when it was later divided up and rented out as homes and offices. Unfortunately as you can see today, it has been neglected over the years

23. The Raja-Bai Clock Tower is situated in the confines of the Mumbai University and the design was based on Big Ben. It stands at 85 metres high

25. The Mumbai University The most notable feature of the complex is the Clock tower that sits in the gardens and is home to the University library The University was founded in 1857 and modelled on British Universities

26. The Flora Fountain in Martyr’s Square was builtin 1864 and named after the roman Goddess Flora. It was renamed HutatmaChowk, or Martyr’s Square in remembrance of people who died back in the 1960s, when a peaceful demonstration by the United Mahar-ash-tra committee was set upon by Police and over 100 people were killed It is believed that the actions of these peaceful protestors and the event that took place sparked off the creation of the state of Mahar-ash-tra

27. Looking across to The Churchgate Train Station

31. The different types of buses used in Mumbai ...and their attention to safety!!

33. The Oval is just south of the Church Gate Station is a well used for cricket and soccer

34. St. Thomas Cathedral on Veer Nariman road (close to the train station and the Flora Fountain) was built in 1718 and is the first Anglican Church in Mumbai

35. The Horniman Circle - where you will find the Town Hall which houses the Asiatic Society library overlooking the Circle Gardens

36. The Marine Drive (by Church Gate) is built on land reclaimed from the Back Bay in 1920 and arcs along the shore of the Arabian Sea

37. At the northern end of Marine Drive is one of the most famous public beaches in Mumbai, not necessarily for its beach but for what else it has to offer Salesmen and vendors are a plenty here, and there are as many food stalls and fast food outlets where they sell Crunched puffed rice snacks and spicy potatoes cakes and a dish called paavbaji – which is fried vegetable mash that is eaten with bread

38. During August and September this is the site the Mubai’s biggest annual festival. Spread over 10 days, it is in celebration of the elephant headed deity Ganesh where families and communities take their Ganesh statues to the seashore and line them up. On the tenth day - millions head for Chowpatty Beach and................ drown them!

40. Wedding Day Celebrations Even though 80% (apparently) of the country only earn about $US 2-3 per day, the Weddings last for 4 days and 2-3000 thousand people are invited at a cost of $US 35 per head in the City venues

41. The Indian Babulnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is in the form of the Babul Tree

42. The Jain Temple .....dates back to 1905 and is beautifully decorated and adorned at the entrance with two stone elephants

43. The Jain Temple

44. The Victoria Terminus (known today as the Chhatra-PatiSheevaji Terminus or the CST) is the city’s historic train station and one of the busiest stations in India In 2004 it became a UNESCO world heritage listed site and takes the form of several different architectural styles, with Indian, Gothic and Victorian influences. Its recent claim to fame is that it was featured in the box office hit film “Slumdog Millionaire”

47. The Victoria Gardens (now called Jija-mataUdyaan) There are a many statues in the gardens, including one of a giant elephant which was taken out from the Elephanta Caves and (for some reason) Mother Hubbard’s Shoe!!

48. Come on dreamer – lets go and see the other gardens The gardens originally belonged to a prominent businessman in the city who built the Victoria and Albert Museum

49. The Hanging Gardens So called because they are situated above a huge great water tank perched at the top of Malabar Hill

50. This Lego-type building is 28 stories high, has a huge great indoor and outdoor swimming pools, terraced gardens, parking for dozens of cars, a helicopter landing platform and more than 300 servants ..... and ........ ........four people live there!!