Mumbai, India’s financial and cultural capital, was known as Bombay for centuries. However, in 1995, the city was officially renamed Mumbai—a move that reflected its deep-rooted history, culture, and local identity.
But why did Bombay become Mumbai? What led to this change? In this article, we explore the history, reasons, and impact of Mumbai’s name change.
📌 The Origin of the Name “Bombay”
The name Bombay dates back to the Portuguese colonial era. In 1534, the Portuguese took control of the seven islands that make up Mumbai today from the Sultan of Gujarat.
✔ The Portuguese called the city “Bombaim”, meaning “Good Bay” in their language.
✔ Over time, the British adapted this name to “Bombay” when they took over the islands in 1661.
🔹 For over 300 years, Bombay remained the official name under British rule.
📌 Why Was Bombay Renamed Mumbai?
By the late 20th century, there was a growing demand to rename the city. Several political, historical, and cultural factors influenced this change.
1. Honoring Mumbai’s Indigenous Heritage
✔ The name Mumbai comes from Mumbadevi, a Hindu goddess worshipped by the Koli fishing community, the city’s original inhabitants.
✔ Local leaders and activists wanted to replace the colonial name “Bombay” with a name that reflected the city’s true roots.
2. Rise of Marathi Identity & Shiv Sena’s Influence
✔ The Shiv Sena, a regional political party in Maharashtra, played a major role in pushing for the name change.
✔ The party believed that “Bombay” was a colonial relic, and “Mumbai” was more culturally and linguistically appropriate for the Marathi-speaking majority.
3. Post-Colonial Nationalism
✔ After India gained independence in 1947, many cities were renamed to remove British or colonial influence.
✔ Examples:
- Madras → Chennai (1996)
- Calcutta → Kolkata (2001)
- Bangalore → Bengaluru (2014)
🔹 Changing Bombay to Mumbai was part of India’s broader movement to reclaim indigenous names.
📌 When Did Bombay Officially Become Mumbai?
✔ In 1995, the Government of Maharashtra, led by the Shiv Sena-BJP coalition, officially changed Bombay’s name to Mumbai.
✔ The Indian Parliament approved the name change, and it was legally enforced across all government records.
🔹 Since then, Mumbai has been the city’s official name in India and internationally.
📌 Impact of the Name Change
1. Cultural & Emotional Significance
✔ Many locals felt a stronger connection to the name Mumbai, as it represented their history, culture, and language.
2. Linguistic Shifts
✔ Government institutions, businesses, and schools adopted Mumbai in their official names.
✔ However, some older businesses and communities still use “Bombay”, such as:
- Bombay High Court
- Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)
- University of Mumbai (formerly University of Bombay)
3. Global Recognition
✔ While international media and organizations initially continued using “Bombay”, over time, “Mumbai” became widely accepted worldwide.
📌 Why Do Some People Still Call It Bombay?
Even after the official name change, some residents still refer to the city as Bombay, especially:
✔ Older generations who grew up with the name.
✔ Bollywood & artistic communities, where “Bombay” has a nostalgic charm.
✔ Some businesses and brands that were established before 1995.
🔹 However, most official communications and documents now use Mumbai.
📌 Other Indian Cities That Changed Their Names
Mumbai isn’t the only Indian city that shed its colonial name. Here are some other major name changes:
| Old Name | New Name | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Madras | Chennai | 1996 |
| Calcutta | Kolkata | 2001 |
| Bangalore | Bengaluru | 2014 |
| Trivandrum | Thiruvananthapuram | 1991 |
| Allahabad | Prayagraj | 2018 |
🔹 These changes were made to reflect the cities’ local languages and historical identities.
❓ FAQs About Mumbai’s Name Change
Q1: Why was Bombay’s name changed to Mumbai?
✅ Answer: To honor Mumbai’s indigenous heritage, particularly the goddess Mumbadevi, and to remove the city’s colonial past.
Q2: When did Bombay officially become Mumbai?
✅ Answer: The name was officially changed to Mumbai in 1995 by the Maharashtra government.
Q3: Why do some people still call it Bombay?
✅ Answer: Older generations, businesses, and artistic communities still use Bombay due to nostalgia and historical identity.
Q4: What does “Mumbai” mean?
✅ Answer: Mumbai is derived from “Mumbadevi”, the goddess worshipped by the Koli community, the original inhabitants of the region.
Q5: Did other Indian cities also change their names?
✅ Answer: Yes, cities like Madras (Chennai), Calcutta (Kolkata), Bangalore (Bengaluru), and Allahabad (Prayagraj) also changed their names.
🎯 Final Thoughts
The name Mumbai is more than just a change in letters—it represents the city’s heritage, culture, and identity. While some people still use Bombay, the official name Mumbai has become a symbol of the city’s pride, resilience, and progress.
💬 What do you think about Mumbai’s name change? Do you still call it Bombay? Let us know in the comments! 👇
📌 Want to learn more about Mumbai’s history? Stay tuned for more articles! 🚀