Why are get Mumbai

Mumbai is built on what was once an archipelago of seven islands: Bombay Island, Parel, Mazagaon, Mahim, Colaba, Worli, and Old Woman's Island (also known as Little Colaba).^[37] It is not exactly known when these islands were first inhabited. Pleistocene sediments found along the coastal areas aroundKandivali in northern Mumbai suggest that the islands were inhabited since the Stone Age.^[38] Perhaps at the beginning of the Common era (2,000 years ago), or possibly earlier, they came to be occupied by the Koli fishing community.^[39] Native Christians include East Indians Catholics, who were converted by the Portuguese during the 16th century, are also koli people.^[10]

In the third century BCE, the islands formed part of the Maurya Empire, during its expansion in the south, ruled by the Buddhist emperor, Ashoka ofMagadha.^[40] The Kanheri Caves in Borivali were excavated in the mid-third century BCE,^[41] and served as an important centre of Buddhism in Western India during ancient Times.^[42] The city then was known as Heptanesia (Ancient Greek: A Cluster of Seven Islands) to the Greek geographer Ptolemy in 150 CE.^[43]

Between the second century BCE and ninth century CE, the islands came under the control of successive indigenous dynasties: Satavahanas, Western Kshatrapas, Abhiras, Vakatakas, Kalachuris, Konkan Mauryas, Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas,^[44] before being ruled by the Silhara dynasty from 810 to 1260.^[45]Some of the oldest edifices in the city built during this period are, Jogeshwari Caves (between 520 to 525),^[46] Elephanta Caves (between the sixth to seventh century),^[47] Walkeshwar Temple (10th century),^[48] and Banganga Tank (12th century).^[49]

The Haji Ali Dargah was built in 1431, when Mumbai was under the rule of theGujarat Sultanate

King Bhimdev founded his kingdom in the region in the late 13th century and established his capital in Mahikawati(present day Mahim).^[50] The Pathare Prabhus, among the earliest known settlers of the city, were brought toMahikawati from Saurashtra in Gujarat around 1298 by Bhimdev.^[51] The Delhi Sultanate annexed the islands in 1347–48 and controlled it until 1407. During this time, the islands were administered by the Muslim Governors of Gujarat, who were appointed by the Delhi Sultanate.^[52][53]

The islands were later governed by the independent Gujarat Sultanate, which was established in 1407. The Sultanate's patronage led to the construction of many mosques, prominent being the Haji Ali Dargah in Worli, built in honour of the Muslim saint Haji Ali in 1431.^[54] From 1429 to 1431, the islands were a source of contention between the Gujarat Sultanate and the Bahamani Sultanate of Deccan.^[55][56] In 1493, Bahadur Khan Gilani of the Bahamani Sultanate attempted to conquer the islands but was defeated.^[57]

Mumbai /mʊmˈbaɪ/, also known by its former name Bombay, is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fifth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million. Along with theneighbouring urban areas, including the cities of Navi Mumbai and Thane, it is one of the most populous urban regions in the world.^[7] Mumbai lies on the west coast of India and has a deep natural harbour. In 2009, Mumbai was named an alpha world city.^[8] It is also the wealthiest city in India,^[9] and has the highest GDP of any city in South, West or Central Asia.

The seven islands that came to constitute Mumbai were home to communities of fishing colonies.^[10] For centuries, the islands were under the control of successive indigenous empires before being ceded to the Portuguese and subsequently to the British East India Company. During the mid-18th century, Bombay was reshaped by the Hornby Vellard project,^[11] which undertook reclamation of the area between the seven islands from the sea.^[12] Along with construction of major roads and railways, the reclamation project, completed in 1845, transformed Bombay into a major seaport on the Arabian Sea. Bombay in the 19th century was characterized by economic and educational development. During the early 20th century it became a strong base for the Indian independence movement. Upon India's independence in 1947 the city was incorporated intoBombay State. In 1960, following the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, a new state of Maharashtra was created with Bombay as the capital. The city was renamed Mumbai in 1996.^[13]

Mumbai is the financial, commercial and entertainment capital of India. It is also one of the world's top ten centres of commerce in terms of global financial flow,^[14] generating 5% of India's GDP^[15] and accounting for 25% of industrial output, 70% of maritime trade in India (Mumbai Port Trust &JNPT),^[16] and 70% of capital transactions to India's economy.^[17] The city houses important financial institutions such as the Reserve Bank of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange, the National Stock Exchange of India, the SEBI and the corporate headquarters of numerous Indian companies and multinational corporations. It is also home to some of India's premier scientific and nuclear institutes like BARC, NPCL, IREL,TIFR, AERB, AECI, and the Department of Atomic Energy. The city also houses India's Hindi (Bollywood) and Marathi film and television industry. Mumbai's business opportunities, as well as its potential to offer a higher standard of living,^[18] attract migrants from all over India, making the city a melting pot of many communities and cultures.