Mumbai

On May 11, 1668, the British East India Company acquired Bombay (now Mumbai) from the British Crown. The village of Bombay consisted of seven islands. These islands were leased to the British East India Company by King Charles II of England, who had received them as part of the dowry from his marriage to Catherine of Braganza of Portugal. The Company was charged with its development. The typical approach involved developing Bombay into a fortified city and port for trade.

The Battle of Kirkee was fought between the British East India Company and the Maratha Empire on November 5, 1817, near Pune. Though the battle took place in the larger region of Maharashtra, it had major ramifications for Bombay, as it solidified British control over the area, leading to the expansion of Bombay as a key colonial city. This battle was a part of the Third Anglo-Maratha War, which saw the defeat of the Peshwas.

The first railway line in India was inaugurated on April 16, 1853, between Bombay (now Mumbai) and Thane. The 34-kilometer line carried 400 guests on a 14-carriage train, hauled by three steam locomotives: Sahib, Sindh, and Sultan. This historic event marked the beginning of the railway age in India, which transformed the economy and society by making transport more rapid and reliable, thereby changing Bombay's landscape significantly as a burgeoning metropolis.

During the late 19th century, specifically starting on June 6, 1896, Mumbai faced an outbreak of the bubonic plague. This epidemic significantly impacted the city's urban landscape and led to the establishment of the Bombay Improvement Trust. Efforts to curb the plague included massive sanitation and urban restructuring projects that changed the face of the city well into the 20th century. Many residents fled, causing a temporary population decrease.

With India's independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, Bombay became the capital of the newly created Bombay State. The event marked Bombay's transformation from a colonial city into a vibrant hub for commerce and industry in independent India. It became a focal point for migration, leading to its growth into one of India's largest and most dynamic cities. The socio-economic landscape of India, particularly in Bombay, changed dramatically post-independence.

On April 1, 1956, the States Reorganization Act led to major changes in India's boundaries and governance. Bombay State was linguistically reorganized, and while originally part of a larger region, it became a distinct entity. This event eventually catalyzed the formation of Maharashtra as a separate state in 1960. The city of Bombay retained its importance as a commercial center and became the state capital of Maharashtra, boosting its status as a central economic hub.

The Bombay Riots were a series of violent clashes in December 1992 and January 1993. Following the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, communal riots broke out in Bombay, involving widespread violence and loss of life. The riots highlighted deep-seated communal tensions and significantly affected the city's demographic structure. These events have been subjects of analysis regarding religious tensions and urban policy in India's cities.

On March 12, 1993, a series of 13 coordinated bomb explosions took place in Bombay, now known as Mumbai, the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. This terrorist act was the most destructive bomb explosion in Indian history and considered the first of its kind in the world as far as serial bomb explosions are concerned. It led to widespread panic, highlighted lapses in security, and resulted in over 250 casualties, profoundly affecting the city's sense of safety.

On November 26, 2008, Mumbai was struck by a series of terrorist attacks lasting four days, carried out by 10 members of the Pakistani militant organization Lashkar-e-Taiba. Targets included two luxury hotels, a hospital, a railway station, a restaurant, and a Jewish community center, resulting in the death of 166 people. The attacks garnered international condemnation and led to significant changes in Indian national security policies and urban counter-terrorism strategies.

On July 13, 2011, three coordinated bomb explosions occurred at different locations in Mumbai: Opera House, Zaveri Bazaar, and Dadar West, causing loss of life and injuries to hundreds of victims. The bombings were part of recurrent attempts to destabilize India's financial capital and highlighted vulnerabilities in urban infrastructure and response mechanisms. The Indian government responded by stepping up security measures and urban security policies.