The
Name Colaba, comes from Kolabhat, this word has been taken from the language of the Kolis, the original inhabitants of the Island. The area that is now Colaba was originally a region consisting of two Islands , the Island of Colaba & Little Colaba ( or Old Woman’s Island ). The Island of Colaba was one of the seven Islands that make up Mumbai today. These Islands were ruled by the Portuguese, which they had acquired from the Sultanate of Cambay and later these group of islands were gifted by Portugal to Charles II of England as dowry when he married Catherine of Braganza.
In 1743, British Colaba was leased to
Richard Broughton at Rs. 200 yearly, and the lease was renewed in 1764. By 1796, Colaba had become a cantonment. Colaba was known for the variety of fishes – The Bombil ( Bombay Duck), Rawas, Halwa, Turtles, Crabs, Prawns and Lobsters.
A Colaba Observatory, a meteorological observatory was
established in 1826 in the part that was called Upper Colaba. The Colaba Causeway was completed in 1838, and thus, the remaining two islands were joined to the others. Gradually, Colaba became a commercial center, after the Cotton Exchange was opened at Cotton Green in 1844. The real estate prices in the area went up. The
Colaba Causeway was widened in 1861 and 1863.
Colaba became a separate municipality ward in 1872. The Sick Bungalows (now known as INHS Ashwini) were built in the 19th century. The construction of the Anglican church of St. John the Evangelist (now known as Afghan Church after the First Afghan War of 1838) began in 1847. The Church was consecrated in 1858, with the work on the steeple being concluded in 1865.
The horse-drawn tram-cars were introduced in 1873 by Stearns and Kitteredge, who had their offices on the west side of the Causeway, where the Electric House now stands.
The Prong's lighthouse was constructed at the southern tip of the island in 1875. The eponymous Sassoon Docks were built by David Sassoon on reclaimed land in the same year. The BB&CI Railways established the Colaba railway station or terminus, the site of which is now occupied by the Badhwar Park layout. The development of Colaba pushed the
native Kolis to the edges of the Island.
Colaba today, is the 'Culture Square' of Mumbai. The architecture of the area is reminiscent of the old Bombay, fact highlighted by buildings & structures like the Gateway of India, Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Regal Cinema & Cusrow Baug, a Parsi residential colony, built in 1934, covering an area of 84,000 square yards, which home to over 500 families. Colaba is also a hub for various Art Galleries, which makes this area a natural destination for artist community.
Colaba Causeway Market is a shopping experience like no other in Mumbai. Its a street shopping experience where you see how modern stores and shops co exist with street vendors selling Trinkets, Fashion Accessories, Colorful Stones in varieties and styles. You can explore and get yourself bags made of Jute, Cane & Leather or try out excellent variety of foot ware that is sold from branded stores and shops. For those seeking a bargain and on a budget, foot ware shopping in Colaba is certainly some experience, you also have a variety of street vendors selling traditional Indian slippers and sandals ( Mojris & Chappels ).
People enjoy
shopping in Colaba mumbai not only for modern accessories but also for Traditional Indian Art, Craft, Antiques and Handicrafts. Its a delight for people from different nationalities to visit various shops and stores to pick up souveniers with Woodwork inlaid with Ivory, Miniature Taj Mahal, South Indian Temple Paintings, Woodword With Indian Gods & Godesses, Kashmiri Shawls and Carpets. These places are filled with a variety of traditional Indian goods that you would want to own.
Colaba
Causeway excites tourist not only for shopping but also for its restaurants, cafes and roadside eateries. Tourist can experience Traditional Indian, Mughlai, Chinese & European Cuisine. For the adventures tourist wanting to experience spicy Indian
Mughlai Cuisine, you have a variety of eateries selling Tandori Chicken and Kababs served hot to you straight from the Tandoors or Indian Clay Ovens. Some famous restaurants and cafes are Piccadilly Restaurant, Mings Palace
, Kailash Parbat, Delhi Darbar, Cafe Churchill, Cafe Mondegar, Cafe Leopold and Cafe Basilico.
