The Transformation of Bombay: From Fort City to Modern Metropolis

Sat Apr 04 2026 04:47:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

An exploration of how Bombay evolved into a bustling metropolis through historical shifts, showcasing an art exhibition that highlights its rich cultural tapestry.

Bombay, now Mumbai, has reshaped its identity from a collection of islands to a sprawling metropolis with a population of 20 million. The city has been influenced by diverse communities and historical events ranging from colonial urban planning to modern infrastructure development. A new exhibition titled 'Bombay Framed' illustrates this transformation through art and photography, depicting the multifaceted experiences of its citizens across centuries.

The Transformation of Bombay: From Fort City to Modern Metropolis

From seven islands to a city of 20 million, Bombay (now Mumbai) has been shaped over centuries by political, economic, and social forces. This transformation has been documented in the new exhibition, 'Bombay Framed,' which highlights the city’s historical evolution through a rich tapestry of paintings, photographs, and multimedia prints.

Over the years, diverse groups including Koli fisherfolk, British colonial planners, Bollywood stars, and textile barons have contributed to Bombay's landscape and identity. The city constantly reinvents itself, evidenced by its transition from fishing nets to ports, and from textile mills to shopping malls.

This exhibition presents over 100 images spanning three centuries, documenting the city in all its diversity, from elite Zoroastrian merchants to ordinary citizens. Gyan Prakash, the exhibition's curator, describes how these works invite viewers to see Bombay as a complex, layered artwork made from varied experiences.

Key moments in the city’s history include the dramatic reclamation in the 1830s and 40s that united its islands into a single metropolis, the dismantling of its fort walls in the 1860s, and the construction of the Art Deco Marine Drive in the 1920s and 30s. Today, city planners focus on building infrastructural advancements, further altering Bombay's landscape.

Yet the soul of the city is not solely defined by its structures but also by its people. Through commissioned portraits and artworks, the exhibition captures the essence of Bombay’s diverse populations, from Parsi philanthropists and Maharashtrian nobility to mill workers and marginalized migrant settlers.

Additionally, the exhibition reflects Bombay's cinematic history, showcasing vintage film posters and photographs that link the city’s cultural narrative to its bustling streets. The name change from Bombay to Mumbai in the mid-1990s serves as a reminder of the city’s colonial past and ongoing identity discourse, with sentiments around the name remaining politically charged.

Ultimately, 'Bombay Framed' is a celebration of the city’s multifaceted identity, emphasizing that the narratives of its inhabitants continue to shape its evolving story.