The Mumbai Metropolis has a historic tradition of strong civic activism dedicated to the cause of a better life for all its citizens. And its the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), the primary agency responsible for urban governance in Greater Mumbai.
From the time of its establishment in 1882 as Indias first municipal corporation, numerous non-political groups, NGOs and organizations of citizens have worked closely with the civic body in the fields of education, public health, creation of urban amenities, art and culture, heritage conservation, etc.
Bombay was the first British Indian possession, which came as a part of the royal dowry in 1661 to King Charles II of England on his marriage to the Portuguese princess, Infanta Catherine de Braganza. Ironically enough, Bombay also set the stage for the birth of the countrys historic freedom movement, as well as for some of its major landmarks, including Gandhijis 1942 call to the British to "Quit India". It was in Bombay that the Indian National Congress was born in 1885. It led the countrys struggle for political independence and indirectly to the liquidation of the British Empire.
The name "Bombay" was changed to "Mumbai" by the Corporation Resolution No.512 dated August 12, 1996, Maharashtra Act, XXV of 1996
During the period between the rise and fall of the British Empire, Bombay gradually developed into a town, a city and a metropolis of world renown. Today, the Brihanmumbai Mahanagarpalika covers an area of 480.24 sqkms. with a population of 1,19,14,378 as per the census of 2001. The metropolis accounts major portion of Indias international trade and government revenue, from being one of the foremost centers of education, science and technological research and advancement
It is also pertinent to note that Mumbais all-round growth owed a lot to the early development of the system of local government under British rule.
Mumbai was Bombay and this vast port and metropolis grew over three centuries from a collection of seven small, swampy islands into a giant magnet that each year still draws thousands of hopeful migrants seeking their fortune.
The islands, originally inhabited by Koli fishermen, remained as they were for several centuries in the pre-Christian era. It was only in the following centuries, the development of important townships and ports took place on the mainland surrounding the islands.
The place did witness some growth during the rule of several Hindu and Muslim dynasties, but a physical metamorphosis of the islands began only after the Portuguese takeover from the Muslim rulers of Gujarat in 1534.
In 1861, the American Civil war began and as a result of the blockade of the ports in the southern states of America the Lancashire mills in England were unable to procure raw cotton from that country. The mills were forced to purchase cotton grown in western and central India from the Bombay markets and during the five-year period of the War, it was estimated that over 81 million pounds sterling came into the city. This resulted not only in a phenomenal commercial boom but also in a mania for speculation in the shares of companies that were primarily established to undertake extravagant schemes of reclamation.
By 1864, there were 31 banks, 16 financial associations, 8 land companies, 16 press companies, 10 shipping companies, 20 insurance companies as against 10 in 1855, and 62 joint stock companies where none had existed in 1855!
Bartle Frere
Unfortunately, due to the cessation of the American Civil War in 1865, the commercial boom in Bombay collapsed and several companies went into liquidation. In the middle of the period of prosperity, Sir Bartle Frere, Governor of Bombay from 1862 to 1867, took the momentous decision to demolish the fort walls and restructure the town.
The fort ramparts, gates and moat were removed completely and a new city arose on the space freed, with an array of imposing Gothic buildings constructed in the Fort area. By the end of the 19th century, Bombay evolved as the Urbs Prima in Indis, the leading city of India and the countrys most important commercial, financial, trading and industrial centre and port. A severe plague epidemic in the 1890s resulted in many improvements being made to the city. With a number of new industries set up, the pressure on land grew further and building activity reached its peak in the 1930s when all available plots of land were built over.
