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GII Winter Expedition

GII Winter Expedition | Dispatch # 4 | The way up to the summit from story.teller on Vimeo.

CIUDADES

SUDHA MOHAN

Sudha Mohan is Associate Professor, Department of Civics and Politics, University of Mumbai.
She answers questions about Mumbai.

How would you describe your city, its history, its identity, its place in the world?


India - Mumbai © Photothèque Veolia - Dhiraj Singh / Polaris
Mumbai, the largest city in the Indian subcontinent, is proudly hailed as'urbs prima' of India and the second largest in the British Empire after London. It still retains that rank and is hailed as the commercial and financial capital of India. Mumbai was conspicuous from the outset for its heterogeneity, plurality and cosmopolitan character that cut across racial, religious, linguistic and regional barriers. The confluence of population movements from interior Maharashtra and the rest of the country into Mumbai have made Mumbai a representative of a mosaic of religions, cultures and lifestyles of the entire country.

The city first and foremost has had no ancient pedigree like some of the towns, which were the scenes of conquests in history. Secondly, Mumbai cannot boast of any blue blood or aristocratic relations as other cities like Delhi or Agra. Mumbai, therefore, has no imperial or noble pedigree. Still by its geographic position, its enterprising and innovative spirit and dynamism, it has risen within a period of over 200 years.