Home to fisherfolk, millionaires and expats, Mumbai is a smorgasbord of architecture, history, culture, cuisines and nightlife. As India’s economic nerve, entertainment capital and fashion epicentre, the city knows how to win not just hearts but also minds.
Mumbai. It’s not just the name of a city. It is a feeling. To sum up its magic in words would be equivalent to pouring an ocean into a cup. The fascinating city is full of contradictions and interestingly therein lies its magic. It is after all home to Antilia; a lavish mansion which ranks among the costliest residential structures in the world. It is also home to Dharavi; one of the largest slums in the world which in keeping with Mumbai’s unquenchable survival spirit is intriguingly a prime centre of commerce and trade with thousands of small scale industries and businesses.
First among equals, Mumbai is India’s wealthiest city and also houses the country’s oldest airport, its first open-to-sea cable-stayed bridge and also the starting point of India’s first expressway. Last but not the least, Mumbai is home to the oldest railway system in all of Asia which is amongst the busiest public transportation systems in the world.
Staying true to its roots, Mumbai has a distinct Maharashtrian culture which is further complemented by that of the many immigrants who arrived from across the country. They brought along with them their culture, traditions and culinary treasures which Mumbai whole-heartedly accepted. Thanks to this, Mumbai is a kaleidoscope of cultures that beautifully reflects its cosmopolitanism.
History
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