Mumbai Trivia

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• It took 60 years to merge the seven islands of Bombay into one 
landmass between 1784 and 1845.
 Mumbai industrialist Jamshetji Tata was the first Indian to own a car.
• The first bus in Mumbai ran from Afghan Church to Crawford Market on 
July 15, 1926.
• Mumbai orginally was a cluster of seven separate islands, and the 
southernmost island was called Old Woman's Island.

 
• The name Bombay was derived from Bom Bahia (The Good Bay), a name 
given by Portuguese sailor Francis Almeida, in 1508.
• Former English cricket captain Douglas Jardine of Bodyline fame was 
born in Malabar Hill, Mumbai, in 1900.

 
• These simple tiffin carriers 'Dabbawallas' have become famous for their efficiency with Forbes business magazine giving them a Six Sigma rating.

 
• The Asiatic Library, formerly known as the town hall, has a collection of 800,000 antique volumes including a first edition copy of Dante’s “Inferno”. There is also a priceless collection of ancient coins; among them is a rare gold mohur which belonged to Akbar, the Mughal Emperor.

 
• These Elephanta caves date back to 600 A.D. and are located on Gharapuri Island in Mumbai’s harbour. These Caves are hewn out of solid rock and filled with stone sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
• The Gateway of India was designed by the British architect George Wittet and was opened to the general public in 1924. This historical monument was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay.

Author: Amit Shanbhag | Published Oct 14, 2009 | 06:57:00 PM

A complete foody....