Lecture Notes on Mumbai's History and Culture

Introduction

• Location: South Mumbai, historic part of the city.
• Starting the day with chai (cost: 10 rupees).

Early History

• Originally an archipelago of seven islands.
• Inhabited since the Stone Age.
• Around 1000 BC: engaged in trade with Egyptian and Persian empires.
• 3rd Century BC: came under Mauryan empire, center for Hindu-Buddhist culture for over 1,000 years.

Elephanta Island

• UNESCO World Heritage site, 10 km east of Mumbai.
• Known as Gharapuri (City of Caves).
• Five temple caves primarily dedicated to Hindu god Shiva.
• Main attraction: Three-faced Shiva statue (20 feet high).
  • Represents three essential aspects: creation, protection, and destruction.
  • Other notable sculptures: Nataraj (Lord of Dance) and Yogishvara (Lord of Yoga).
• Many statues have been defaced over time.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

• Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji, founder of the Maratha Empire.
• Significant figure among Marathi-speaking people.
• Notable for the planned 700-foot statue, potentially the tallest in the world.
• Shivaji did not live in Mumbai, which was not the Maratha capital.

Colonization and Development

• Elephanta Island named by European merchants after seeing a large elephant statue.
• Portuguese colonized Mumbai before the British.
• Portuguese explorer named the bay "bom baim" (Good Bay) in 1508.
• 1535: Peace and commerce agreement with the Sultan of Gujarat, handing over the seven islands.

British Colonization

• 1661: Catherine of Portugal married Charles II of England; seven islands given as dowry.
• British East India Company took control, leading to investment in infrastructure.
• Mid 18th century: Hornby Vellard project reclaimed land, forming modern-day Mumbai.

Architectural Influence

• British influence evident in city's architecture:
  • Police Station, University of Mumbai, Bombay Court, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus).
  • Gateway of India built in 1913 to commemorate King George V's visit.
  • Gateway used as a ceremonial exit for last British troops after independence.

Conclusion

• Visiting the residence of Shah Rukh Khan, an influential Bollywood actor.
• Reflecting on personal history with his movies and songs.

Final Notes

• Encouragement to like and subscribe for more content.
• Plans to explore more of India in future videos.