Why Mumbai is Called the City of Seven Islands?

Endowed with numerous tourist sites like the Gateway of India and Juhu Beach, Bombay, or ‘Aamchi Mumbai’, as it is fondly called by its inhabitants, is the financial artery of India. Thousands of people from the different parts of India flock to the ‘city of dreams’ every single day in order to give a boost to their careers. Today, a metropolitan center always sprawling with life and activity, Mumbai was once a fragmented city with 7 different isles. This archipelago became the conglomeration that Mumbai is today over a span of several centuries, through a series of land reclamation measures. This is what earned Mumbai the tag of being ‘the city of seven islands’. Here’s a brief flashback of Mumbai’s journey from being an island in its own right to being the amalgam of 7 isles:

The first major step taken in this direction was in 1708 with an intention to build a causeway (a water bridge) between Mahim and Sion.

The second stroke came in 1772. This was done with the intention to prevent the course of flow of water and to avoid the shoreline of Mumbai from getting flooded. This connected Mahalaxmi and Worli. What is intriguing about this move is the fact that it is supposedly the oldest illegal construction in Mumbai. Ironically, its offender was William Hornby, the erstwhile Governor of Mumbai who built the bridge at a whopping expenditure of Rs. 1 lakh. Though the move was pending for approval from the Company of Directors who resided in England, the Governor nevertheless went ahead with the construction, with the anticipation that the move would get a green signal. Paradoxically, the rejection came a year after the construction and Hornbill was sacked from the post for his reckless decision! The construction of the bridge had completed by then and there was very little that could be done about it. The legacy of the former Governor continues to haunt the bridge, which is known as ‘Hornby Vellard’.

The next move came in 1803 when the island of Mumbai was connected to Salsette by commissioning the construction of a causeway from Sion. A few years down the line, in 1838, the Colaba Island joined Mumbai. The next stroke came in 1845 when Mahim and Bandra became a part of Mumbai. This incurred a total expenditure of Rs 1, 57, 000. The amount was donated entirely by first Baronet Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy’s wife, Lady Avabai Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, as the government completely shirked the responsibility of laying these causeways.

This wave of reclamation and construction was continued even after India became free from the British rule. This led to the acreage of Nariman Point and Cuffe Parade. Eventually, the Honourable Supreme Court decided to step into the matter and curtail this wave of construction activity in order to protect the shoreline of Mumbai in 1970. The move was further bolstered in 1990 when the Court instructed the government to strictly abide by the guidelines for the Coastal Regulatory Zones.

Thus, it took a fairly long span of time to make Mumbai what it is today: an agglomeration of 7 islands, including Colaba, Mahim, Parel & Worli.

Today, the city thrives as the hub of tourism and is crowded by an array of popular hotels such as Kohinoor Continental Hotel. Conveniently located in the heart of Mumbai, the hotel flaunts a fine fusion of luxury, comfort and latest state-of-the-art amenities & is a great stop for all the modern travellers.