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Mumbai City Tours
Before the arrival of Mahatma Gandhi to Bombay, the freedom struggle largely comprised spontaneous uncoordinated efforts that were easily subdued. He transformed the Indian National Congress (then mainly a body of self-centred elite Indians) into a group of committed individuals who worked at the grassroots to ensure that the freedom struggle became a mass movement. Mani Bhavan on Laburnum Road in south Bombay is associated with many landmark events and ideologies of the freedom struggle. Mahatma Gandhi stayed here between 1917 and 1934, whenever he visited Bombay. It was from the terrace of this two-storied structure that Gandhi was arrested on January 4, 1932.
Encompassing a museum and research centre, it has more than 50,000 books on the Mahatma and his life now. You can also buy Gandhi memorabilia here, such as stamps brought out in his honour. Children love to walk around the tableaux depicting the Mahatma's life story - from his birth in Porbandar to his assassination in Delhi. Not far from Mani Bhavan, Hindustani Prachar Sabha off Marine Drive is another iconic structure associated with the Mahatma.
This institute was set up in 1942, with the help of Dadabhai Naoroji's granddaughters Penn Captain and Goshi Captain, to promote the Hindi; language. Gandhi believed that Urdu and Sanskrit were far beyond the linguistic abilities of most people, while Hindi was a unique reflection of both. Today, the institute is a friendly place and attracts many foreign students.
The Chowpatty Beach, which is also hear Marine Drive, is associated with the famous Dandi March - an agitation that was launched to protest the salt tax imposed by the British. Since Gandhi had forbidden women from accompanying hini on the Dandi March to Sabarmati, thousands of women in Bombay led by the freedom fighters Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay and the Captain sisters, decided to make salt at Chowpatty Beach and at the saline marshes in Wadala. Kasturba Gandhi, K F Nariman, and Yusil Meheraully were the other torchbearers of the salt movement.
Chowpatty Beach is also one of the venues for the immersion rituals during Mumbai's fimous Ganesh Chaturthi; but this festival's connection with the independence struggle runs deeper. To prevent a repeat of the mutinous rebellion of 1857, a law was passed, which prohibited large groups of people from congregating in public places. Bal Gangadhar Tilak, one of India's true patriots, did not take this lightly and decided to shatter the imperialistic arrogance of the Raj. The ban did not extend to religious festivities and under the garb of a cultural event, Tilak used the Ganesh festival to spad the awareness of a national identity among people, which intensified the freedom struggle. One of the most magnificent relics of the Raj era, the iconic High Court building is also linked to Tilak. While defending himself against the charge of sedition he coined his famous slogan: "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!" This is now inscribed on a plaque in the chief justice's chamber.
Horniman Circle in Churchgate is named after Ben Horniman, the pro- independence editor of the Bombay Chronicle, who openly spoke about the excesses of the Raj, especially in connection with the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. He was promptly deported, but a statue was later erected in his memory, on the lawns of the garden. Further ahead, on a parallel road was a quaint Parsi restaurant called 'Wayside Inn, where Dr Ambedkar drafted the Indian Constitution. Mumbai's numerous green lungs - its maidans - were also venues for agitations connected to the freedom struggle. After the 1857 Mutiny was quelled, it was at the Esplanade (now Azad Maidan) that two sepoys were executed on charges of sedition by cannons under orders of the police chief Charles Forjett. They were among the first martyrs of the freedom struggle. Other maidans have played their role too. The maidan opposite to the Tejpal Hall hosted the first session of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885. The Quit India Movement, which was one of the most tenacious freedom movements in India, was also launched here in August 1942. The elegant Oval Maidan later hosted the 20th INC session in 1904.
One structure in Mumbai has been a mute witness to both, the entry and unceremonious exit of the British. The Gateway of India, which is one of the iconic symbols of Mumbai, was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay, prior to the Delhi Durbar in December 1911. Ironically, when the Raj ended in 1947, this colonial symbol also became a sort of epitaph, as the last British ships that set sail for England left from the Gateway.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR
The city has an international airport and a domestic airport both named after Chhatrapati Shivaji. The international airport is located off the Western Express Highway about 25km from Colaba. The domestic airport is situated at Santa Crux.
BY RAIL
Mumbai is well-connected by rail with almost all cities in India. The Central Railway is headquartered at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. CST, Mumbai Central, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and Dadar stations are major railway stations in Mumbai.
BY ROAD
Mumbai is connected by good network of roads with all major places in and around the city. Private and state government run long-distance buses are available for neighbouring cities. Private long-distance buses depart for all points from Dr Anadrao Nair Road, near Mumbai Central Railway Station. State-run long- distance buses depart from Mumbai Central Bus Terminal, close to the Mumbai Central Railway Station.
PLACES TO SEE
Gateway of India, Elephanta Island, Haji Ali Dargah, Jehangir Art Gallery, Prince of Wales Museum, Marine Drive, Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat, Hanging Gardens and Juhu Beach.
PLACES TO STAY
Mumbai is a travellers' delight. The city has got ample S-star deluxe hotels, 5-star hotels, 4-star hotels, 3- star hotels and budget hotels in its kitty.
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