Mumbai Mart - Colaba

Colaba

At the southern tip of Bombay is Colaba . It was called the Old Woman's island, before the seven islands were united to form Bombay. Beginning from Regal Cinema, Colaba Causeway is the tourist hub which runs parallel to the Gateway of India. Sidewalk stalls selling fake jewellery, Tee shirts, cheap leather goods and knick-knacks; Bohemian cafes and budget hotels dot this area. Further down, the stone-and-plaster Bombay Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking runs the 2000 strong fleet of Bombay\'s BEST buses. Adjacent to it is Cusrow Baug -- the Parsi colony where residential accomodation is strictly reserved for members of the community.

Although Gerald Aungier took possession of Colaba and Old Woman's Island in 1675, the development of these areas took a long time. In 1743, Colaba was leased to a Richard Broughton at Rs. 200 per annum; a lease that was renewed in 1764. The area was well-known for the variety of fishes in the nearby waters. The "bombil" (Bombay Duck), rawas, halwa, turtles, crabs, prawns and lobsters, could all be found here. By 1796 Colaba became a cantonment for troops. In Upper Colaba, the southern end of the island, a meteorological observatory was established in 1826. This was on the eastern side of the island. In the same year, a mental asylum was constructed on the western side.

With the completion of the Colaba Causeway in 1838, these remaining two islands were joined to the others. The price of land escalated and Colaba became the centre of commerce with the opening of the Cotton Exchange at Cotton Green in 1844. The Causeway was widened and strengthened in 1861 and again in 1863. It became a separate ward of the Municipality in 1872. Civil constructions in Colaba did not push out the troops. During this period, the Sick Bungalows, now known as INS Ashwin, were built.

Colaba Bazar: The Colaba market is immediately identifiable by the sharp smell of vegetables and fresh tropical vegetables. Packed to the hilt with people, cabs, beggars, vendors, the narrow pavements and the din make it almost impossible for you to walk along the road in a straight line.

Transport at this end of town was revolutionised by the introduction of horse-drawn tram-cars 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, at the southern tip of the island, was constructed in 1875.