From ancient fishing village to global film empire: the layered history of Mumbai

History · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Long before it became the heart of Bollywood, Mumbai was an archipelago of seven islands inhabited by Koli fishermen. From its origins as a hub for ancient maritime trade with Persia and Egypt to its transformation into a modern metropolis, the city has been shaped by empires, colonial rule, and cinema.

The geological foundation of Mumbai dates back millions of years, with volcanic activity forming basaltic outcrops across what was once a cluster of seven islands. Human presence in the region is ancient, evidenced by Paleolithic stone implements discovered at Kandivli. By 1000 BCE, the area had already established itself as a vital center for maritime trade, connecting with civilizations as far away as Persia and Egypt. Throughout the centuries, the islands fell under the control of various powers, including the Maurya Empire under Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, and were later described by the Greek geographer Ptolemy as Heptanesia, or 'a cluster of seven islands,' in the 2nd century CE.

The city's modern identity began to coalesce during the British colonial era. In 1784, the Hornby Vellard engineering project physically united the seven islands into a single landmass, setting the stage for its growth as a major port city. By the 19th century, Mumbai—then Bombay—became a hub of economic development, marked by the launch of India's first railway line in 1853. This period of rapid expansion also saw the city emerge as a focal point for the Indian independence movement, hosting significant events like the 1919 Rowlatt Satyagraha and the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Mutiny.

In the 20th century, the city reinvented itself as the home of Bollywood, the massive Hindi-language film industry. Following the release of India's first feature-length film in 1913, the industry grew exponentially after independence in 1947. From the social realism of the 1950s to the rise of superstars like Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan, Bollywood became a central pillar of Indian popular culture. While mainstream 'masala' films dominated the charts, a parallel cinema movement emerged in the 1970s and 80s, offering a critical lens on social issues. Renamed Mumbai in 1996, the city remains a complex, evolving landscape where ancient history and modern cultural influence intersect.

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