Bombay: The Prime City of India

Bombay, a group of seven islands under Portuguese control, was transferred to British rule in 1661 following the marriage of King Charles II to a Portuguese princess.

In the early 20th century, India's urbanization was slow, with only about 11% of the population residing in cities.

Presidency Cities in India were multi-functional hubs, serving as ports, warehouses, residential areas, administrative centers, and educational institutions.

Bombay's population surged from 644,405 in 1872 to nearly 1,500,000 in 1941, marking its rapid expansion.

Bombay's initial economic importance stemmed from the export of cotton textiles from Gujarat. It transitioned into a hub for raw materials like cotton and opium before becoming a prominent industrial center.

The establishment of cotton textile mills in Bombay in 1854 and their rapid expansion by 1921 led to a significant influx of workers from nearby regions.

Women constituted a considerable portion of the mill workforce in Bombay, reaching up to 23% between 1919 and 1926, but their numbers declined as machines and men took over their roles.

Bombay became the capital of the Bombay Presidency in 1819 following the Maratha defeat, leading to a rapid expansion of the city.

The rapid growth of Bombay led to overcrowding and limited living spaces. Unlike Londoners, Bombay residents had significantly less space per person.

Bombay's expansion was unplanned, with houses spread out among gardens. It also had a distinct spatial division between the 'native' town (where most Indians lived) and the European or 'white' section.

The introduction of textile mills in Bombay led to increased demand for housing, putting a strain on the city's infrastructure.

A large portion of Bombay's working class resided in chawls, multi-story buildings divided into single-room tenements with shared facilities.

Girangaon, a mill village near Bombay's textile mills, housed a large population of millworkers who walked to their jobs.

Chawls were often owned by private landlords such as merchants and bankers, who rented them out to migrants looking for affordable housing.

Housing in Bombay was significantly more crowded and less spacious compared to London, reflecting the challenges of rapid urbanization during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

A type of housing structure common in Bombay, consisting of multiple, one-room apartments often shared by several families.

In Bombay, streets were used for various activities beyond just transportation, including cooking, washing, sleeping, and community gatherings.

The close proximity of filthy gutters, privies, and buffalo stables forced residents to keep their windows closed, even in humid weather.

Despite limited resources, residents of Bombay's tenements aimed to maintain cleanliness within their small homes.

Local leaders in Bombay's mill neighborhoods settled disputes, organized food supplies, and provided important information on political developments.

Lower castes often faced difficulty in finding housing in Bombay, and were frequently relegated to makeshift shelters made of corrugated sheets, leaves, or bamboo.

The Bombay Improvement Trust, formed in 1898, focused on clearing poorer homes from the city center as a response to the bubonic plague.

Bombay's town planning initiatives were driven by a fear of disease outbreaks, unlike London's planning efforts which were driven by social unrest.

The process of creating new land by filling in areas of water, often used to expand cities and infrastructure.

A project in Bombay where the seven islands were joined into one landmass to create more space for the growing city.

A substantial seawall constructed in Bombay to prevent flooding and protect low-lying areas, which facilitated further land reclamation projects.

A major reclamation project in Bombay that created the Ballard Estate, a 22-acre area, by using excavated earth from a dry dock.

The famous curved road along the Arabian Sea in Bombay, created through the reclamation project that followed the construction of Ballard Estate.

The term used by many to describe Bombay, emphasizing the alluring opportunities and dreams associated with the city.

Bombay's film industry, also known as Bollywood, which is renowned for its vibrant storytelling and large-scale productions.

The concept of Bombay films often portraying the arrival of new migrants in the city and their struggles to navigate the realities of city life.

Thick, black smoke that formed due to the combination of coal-powered steam engines and fog, particularly in winter.

People in Calcutta used dung and wood as fuel, leading to high levels of pollution.

The arrival of the railway line brought coal from Raniganj, significantly increasing the amount of coal-based pollution.

The Bengal Smoke Nuisance Commission enforced legislation to regulate industrial smoke, primarily from factories.

Controlling domestic smoke, from household sources, proved much more challenging than regulating industrial smoke.

The first legislation controlling smoke nuisance was implemented in Calcutta, India, in 1863.

Industrial and factory owners often resisted implementing smoke-reducing technologies due to added costs.

The Smoke Abatement Acts of 1847 and 1853 aimed to reduce smoke in British cities, but their effectiveness was limited, mainly due to difficulties in monitoring emissions.

The Bombay film industry, also known as Bollywood, emerged in 1896 when Harishchandra Sakharam Bhatwadekar filmed a wrestling match in Bombay's Hanging Gardens, marking the first movie produced in India.

Dadasaheb Phalke's 'Raja Harishchandra,' released in 1913, significantly contributed to the growth of the Bombay film industry and solidified its position as a major player in Indian cinema.

By 1925, Bombay had established itself as India's film capital, producing movies for a national audience. This solidified its dominance in the Indian film industry.

The Bombay film industry employed over 520,000 individuals by 1987, highlighting its enormous economic and cultural impact on India. This emphasizes the industry's contributions to the country's job market and entertainment landscape.

The Bombay film industry consisted of many migrants from Lahore, Calcutta, and Madras, who brought diverse cultural influences to its development. This contributed to its rich diversity and national character.

Writers like Ismat Chughtai and Saadat Hasan Manto, known for their literary works, actively contributed to the development of Hindi cinema. Their involvement enriched the industry with their artistic vision and storytelling talent.

Bombay films have created a distinct image of the city as a unique blend of dreams and reality - showcasing both luxurious lifestyles and the struggles of everyday life in its slums. This portrayal adds a realistic and captivating dimension to the city's depiction in Indian cinema.

The development of urban areas often comes at a cost to the environment, leading to the transformation of natural landscapes to accommodate infrastructure, housing, and industry. This urbanization often results in environmental challenges, such as pollution and loss of natural spaces.