In the mid-1990s, Shiv Sena, the Hindu nationalist party in power in Bombay, decided to change the citys name to Mumbai, a name often used in local languages that derives from Mumba Devi, the patron Hindu goddess of the islands original residents, the Koli fishermen.

Why did Calcutta change its name?

In 2001 the government of West Bengal decided to officially change its capital citys name to Kolkata to reflect its original Bengali pronunciation. We were used to calling it Kolkata in Bengali and Calcutta in English, and we switched between both names with as much fluency as we switched between those two languages.

When did Bombay change name to Mumbai?

1995 Mumbai (Marathi: मुंबई), from Bombay, renamed in 1995.

How did Bombay get its name?

It is considered to have been derived from the name of the Koli goddess Mumbadevi, considered to be the citys patron deity and Aai (mother). The Shiv Sena saw Bombay as a legacy of British colonialism and wanted the citys name to reflect its Maratha heritage, hence renaming it to pay tribute to the goddess Mumbadevi.

What is the new name for Bombay?

Mumbai Bombay was officially renamed by legislation in 1995, and under the Shiv Sena Government in Maharashtra, the city became Mumbai. The citys name is derived from Mumbadevi, the name of the patron goddess of the Koli fisherfolk who migrated to the islands from present-day Gujarat.

Is Kolkata better than Mumbai?

In per capita comparisons, though, Bombay was better placed than Calcutta. This indicates the relative prosperity of Bombay compared to Calcutta. For instance, the Bank of Bombay collected four times more deposits per person than Calcutta. Even in terms of companies, we see Bombay having higher paid-up capital.

What was Bombay called before the Portuguese?

Bombaim The Portuguese gave the islands various names but they eventually came to be known as Bombaim (or good bay). In 1661, Bombay was made over to the British as part of Catherine of Braganzas dowry when she married Charles II of England.