skyscrapers - MUmbai from air !!

 

Bhimdev also known as  Bimba-Shah, in  13^th century established his capital in Mahikavati !!  the  present-day Mahim.  He was the son of king Ramadeva of Devagiri.  Bimbakhyan ("The story of Bimba"), an old Marathi language poem, states that the king Bimbadev (or Bimbashah) came to Konkan travelling through Anahilavada in 1294 CE (1216 Shaka). He was accompanied by a number of people, who had left the kingdoms of Anahilavada and Devagiri.    Bimba halted at Mahim, then an island, and became enamoured with its beautiful scenery. He built a palace on the island, and his followers also built their residence there.  

A resident of Triplicane / or any other part of city of Chennai would never understand this.  To us, the city is a concrete jungle with vehicles of all sorts bustling on city roads – some feel, the city life is miserable but for many running away from village flocking to the city – it is a dream choice.   A few decades back read that every train to Egmore in the morning from far off villages carry hundreds of young girls aspiring to become someone in soap factory – Kollywood.  

To us visiting Mumbai for the first time – the wonder never stops – the buildings, train, the crowd, sort of organized behavior of people .. ..  

Mumbai's history is rooted in a cluster of seven islands, originally Koli villages that were coalesced into a single landmass by the British in the late 18th century for infrastructure and trade. The city grew from an ancient trading outpost to a vital commercial and industrial center, booming in the 19th century with the opium and cotton trades under British rule. It was renamed Bombay by the British and later became the city of Mumbai, the capital of the state of India, in 1950, before being officially renamed to Mumbai in 1996.  The area that is now Mumbai was originally an archipelago of seven islands: Mumbai Island, Parel, Mazagaon, Mahim, Colaba, Worli, and Old Woman's Island.  

Mumbai is cluster of everything – big, small, ultra rich, road dwellers and more.        In films and novels, skyscraper-erecting baddies bring wealth and renewal—and often misery and violence. Yet in reality, buildings do   loom as large as you might think in Mumbai. 

Then for those who have had opportunity to travel abroad -   New York City is historically known for its skyscrapers, Hong Kong  reportedly  holds the title for the city with the most skyscrapers, having over 550 buildings taller than 150 meters. Following Hong Kong are cities like Shenzhen, which boasts a very dense skyline, and New York City, still a major skyscraper hub and the leader in the Western Hemisphere. Dubai, Guangzhou, and Shanghai are also prominent on the list of cities with the most tall buildings.

 

An aerial photo of the Mumbai metropolis taken in June 2024, when I was working and was travelling somewhat frequently !!  

Regards – S Sampathkumar

2.9.2025