Mahim
Encyclopedia
Mahim is a neighbourhood in Mumbai
. It is also the name of a railway station in Mahim area, on the Mumbai suburban railway
on the Western Railway (India)
railway line. In ancient times, the area was known as Maijim, Mejambu, Mahikawati.
Mahim was one of the seven islands that originally made up Mumbai
. Mahim, or Mahikawati as it was known, was the capital of Raja Bhimdev
, who reigned over the region in the 13th century. He built a palace and a court of justice in Prabhadevi
, as well as the first Babulnath
temple.
In 1343, this island was possessed by the Muslims of Gujarat. It was in their reign that the old Mahim mosque was built. A dargah of Makhtum Fakir Ali Paru was built here in 1431.
In 1543, the Portuguese captured the islands of Mumbai. In 1662, these islands were given to the English King, King Charles II
, as a part of the wedding dowry for the Portuguese princess, Catherine of Braganza
. After British acquired Mumbai, they built the Mahim Fort
here in order to protect themselves from the Portuguese. The fort today stands in ruins.
The Causeway connecting Mahim and Bandra (corrupted from "Bunder" meaning port in Persian) was completed in 1845 at a total cost of Rs. 1,57,000 donated entirely by Lady Avabai Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy
, wife of the first baronet
Sir Jamsetjee Jeejebhoy
with a stipulation that no toll would be charged to citizens for its use by the government.
In 1847, a small group of Scottish missionaries decided to start a new school, now one of the most high profile schools in Mumbai – the Bombay Scottish School
in the West.
and St. Xavier's Technical Institute
are also located in Mahim.
2. Makhdoomshah Baba Dargah
3. Paradise Cinema
4. Shitladevi Temple
5. Hinduja Hospital
6. Mahim Fort
7. Mahim Bunder
8. Olympus Building
Mahim Bay
is a large bay
, part of the Arabian Sea
in Mumbai
India
. The southern end is Worli
, northern end is Bandra Reclamation and Mahim is in the centre. The bay was named after the islands of Mahim and Salsette were merged in the early 19th century. The Mithi River
drains into Mahim Creek
which drains into the Bay, and forms the border between the city and its suburbs
.
During the colonial era, the Portuguese
built a watch tower called Castella de Aguada on the northern side. Later, the British
built the Worli Fort
to the south and Mahim Fort
near the creek to defend the seven islands of Bombay
against attacks by the Portuguese and the Marathas. Bandra-Worli Sealink crosses the Mahim bay.
Mahim Creek
is a creek
in Mumbai
, India
. The Mithi River
drains into the creek which drains into the Mahim Bay
. The creek forms the boundary between the city and suburbs
. The creek is swamped by mangroves and has a mini-ecosystem within it.
It now has the Bandra-Kurla complex
with corporate offices on both its sides.
The depth of the creek is 15 feet (4.6 m)
The waters of the creek are foul smelling due to the dumping of untreated industrial effluents further upstream. In recent years, the mushrooming of slums around the waters have caused concern for the mangrove ecosystem, vital to the ecosystem of Mumbai.
In 2006, it was the site of mass hysteria as thousands claimed its waters had turned "sweet."
The Mahim Causeway
is a vital link road connecting the city of Mumbai with its northern suburbs
. The causeway
links the neighbourhoods of Mahim to the south with Bandra to the north.
The Mahim Causeway was built between 1841 to 1846 to connect the island of Salsette with Mahim. The swampy area between the two islands made travel dangerous and thus a need for a causeway arose. The British East India Company
, who governed Bombay at that time, refused to fund the project. This led Lady Jeejeebhoy
, wife of the first baronet Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, to donate the entire amount of Rs.
1,57,000/- on the condition that the government would not charge a toll for its use or disturb the Koli
community who lived around the area
The Mahim causeway forms the link between Swami Vivekanand Road and L.J.Road
, being the stretch between Bandra masjid and Mahim church
(St. Michael's). It is not to be confused with the Bandra-Worli Sea Link
, a major infrastructural project opened on June 30, 2009 which is designed to ease traffic across the causeway by building another bridge across the Mahim Bay
.
Mahim Fort
, which was once visible from the Mahim Causeway and Bandra Reclamation, is barely visible now. The Mahim Fort along with Fort St George in South Mumbai was an important base during the time of the British Empire. Other forts in Mumbai and Salsette Island
include Sion
, Worli
, Sewri
and Mazgaon. The fort St George was built in 1669, by the former Governor of Bombay, Gerald Aungier.
Thomas Grantham then strengthened the fort's ramparts in 1684. In the year 1772, 111 years after Bombay was taken from them, the Portuguese attempted to attack this fort. The British replied fiercely with cannonballs. In fact, the Bandra church also bore the brunt of their fire. There were about 100 soldiers and 30 cannons in the Mahim Fort at that time.
Today the fort is almost ruined and encroachers and hutments occupy it.
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
. It is also the name of a railway station in Mahim area, on the Mumbai suburban railway
Mumbai Suburban Railway
The Mumbai Suburban Railway system, part of the public transport system of Mumbai, is provided for by the state-run Indian Railways' two zonal Western Railways and Central Railways. The system carries more than 6.99 million commuters on a daily basis. It has the highest passenger densities of any...
on the Western Railway (India)
Western Railway (India)
The Western Railway is one of the 16 zones of Indian Railways, and is among the busiest railway networks in India. The major railway routes of Indian Railways which come under Western Railways are: Ratlam - Mumbai Central, Surat - Mumbai, Surat - Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad - Vadodara and Palanpur -...
railway line. In ancient times, the area was known as Maijim, Mejambu, Mahikawati.
History
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
. Mahim, or Mahikawati as it was known, was the capital of Raja Bhimdev
Raja Bhimdev
Bhimdev II or Raja Bhimdev also known as Raja Bimba was a 11th century king who had his capital in Mahikawati, the present-day Mahim, in Mumbai, India....
, who reigned over the region in the 13th century. He built a palace and a court of justice in Prabhadevi
Prabhadevi
Prabhadevi is a small up-scale district neighbourhood of Mumbai city, situated between the Shivaji Park Residential Zone to the north and Worli to the south and the Arabian Sea to the west...
, as well as the first Babulnath
Babulnath
Babulnath is an ancient Shiva temple in Mumbai, India. Shiva in the form of the Lord of the Babul tree is the main deity in this temple. The faithful climb up to the temple and obtain Darshan of the shivling and obtain blessings of the Lord. It is also possible to take an elevator up to the temple...
temple.
In 1343, this island was possessed by the Muslims of Gujarat. It was in their reign that the old Mahim mosque was built. A dargah of Makhtum Fakir Ali Paru was built here in 1431.
In 1543, the Portuguese captured the islands of Mumbai. In 1662, these islands were given to the English King, King Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
, as a part of the wedding dowry for the Portuguese princess, Catherine of Braganza
Catherine of Braganza
Catherine of Braganza was a Portuguese infanta and queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland as the wife of King Charles II.She married the king in 1662...
. After British acquired Mumbai, they built the Mahim Fort
Mahim Fort
The Mahim Fort is a fort in Mahim in Mumbai, Maharashtra state, India. Strategically located in the Mahim Bay, the fort overlooks Worli to the south, Bandra to the north, and Mahim to the east. The origins of the fort are unclear, but it occupies a strategic location that has been frequently...
here in order to protect themselves from the Portuguese. The fort today stands in ruins.
The Causeway connecting Mahim and Bandra (corrupted from "Bunder" meaning port in Persian) was completed in 1845 at a total cost of Rs. 1,57,000 donated entirely by Lady Avabai Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy
Avabai Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy
Avabai, Lady Jeejeebhoy was the wife of Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, 1st baronet. She is best known for having funded the construction of the Mahim causeway in Mumbai , which serves today as an important link between the island city of Mumbai with its north-western suburbs.-Personal life:Avabai was...
, wife of the first baronet
Baronet
A baronet or the rare female equivalent, a baronetess , is the holder of a hereditary baronetcy awarded by the British Crown...
Sir Jamsetjee Jeejebhoy
Jamsetjee Jeejebhoy
Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, 1st Baronet , also spelt Jeejeebhoy or Jeejebhoy, was a Parsi-Indian merchant and philanthropist.- Early life and business career :...
with a stipulation that no toll would be charged to citizens for its use by the government.
In 1847, a small group of Scottish missionaries decided to start a new school, now one of the most high profile schools in Mumbai – the Bombay Scottish School
Bombay Scottish School
Bombay Scottish School popularly known as Scottish is a private, co-educational day school located at Mahim in Mumbai, India. The institution was established in 1847 by Scottish Christian missionaries under the name Scottish Female Orphanage....
Geography
Mahim is surrounded by Bandra in the North, Arabian SeaArabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
in the West.
Schools and Educational Institutions
Mahim has a number of schools and educational institutions. Some of the well known schools in Mahim are Bombay Scottish School, Mahim, Canossa Convent High School, Saraswati Mandir English Primary School, Victoria High School, KJ Khilnani High School and R C Mahim School. Reputed colleges and professional educational institutes such as Ruparel CollegeRuparel College
The D.G. Ruparel College of Arts, Science and Commerce is a college in Matunga, Mumbai, India. It is run by Modern Education Society, Pune and is affiliated with the University of Mumbai, and has been referred to as "prestigious" by the Times of India....
and St. Xavier's Technical Institute
St. Xavier's Technical Institute
St. Xavier's Technical Institute is an electronics school in Mumbai, India.The Institute's Marine Department has been awarded ISO 9001:2000 Quality certification....
are also located in Mahim.
Important Landmarks in Mahim
1. St. Michael Church2. Makhdoomshah Baba Dargah
3. Paradise Cinema
4. Shitladevi Temple
5. Hinduja Hospital
6. Mahim Fort
7. Mahim Bunder
8. Olympus Building
Mahim Bay
Mahim Bay
Mahim Bay is a large bay, part of the Arabian Sea in Mumbai India. The southern end is Worli, northern end is Bandra Reclamation and Mahim is in the centre. The bay was named after the islands of Mahim and Salsette were merged in the early 19th century...
is a large bay
Bay
A bay is an area of water mostly surrounded by land. Bays generally have calmer waters than the surrounding sea, due to the surrounding land blocking some waves and often reducing winds. Bays also exist as an inlet in a lake or pond. A large bay may be called a gulf, a sea, a sound, or a bight...
, part of the Arabian Sea
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The southern end is Worli
Worli
-History:Worli was one of the original seven islands that constituted the city of Mumbai. Although primarily a fishing village, the Worli Fort, a British fort that is now in ruins, is located there. Its original resident was the legendary Dishankeshwar Kalsi who has also been recognized in several...
, northern end is Bandra Reclamation and Mahim is in the centre. The bay was named after the islands of Mahim and Salsette were merged in the early 19th century. The Mithi River
Mithi River
The Mithi River is a river in Salsette Island, the island of the city of Mumbai. It is a confluence of tail water discharges of Powai and Vihar lakes. The river is seasonal and rises during the monsoons. The overflowing lakes also contribute to the river flow which is stopped by a dam in other times...
drains into Mahim Creek
Mahim Creek
Mahim Creek is a creek in Mumbai, India. The Mithi River drains into the creek which drains into the Mahim Bay. The creek forms the boundary between the city and suburbs...
which drains into the Bay, and forms the border between the city and its suburbs
Mumbai Suburban District
The Mumbai Suburban district is a district of the state of Maharashtra in western India. Its headquarters is in Bandra . It consists of three administrative subdivisions or tehsils: Kurla, Andheri, and Borivali. The district along with Mumbai City district make up the metropolis of Mumbai...
.
During the colonial era, the Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
built a watch tower called Castella de Aguada on the northern side. Later, the British
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
built the Worli Fort
Worli Fort
thumb|250px|Old map of the region .The Worli Fort is a fort built by the British in Worli, Mumbai , India. The fort, often mistakenly referred to as being built by the Portuguese, was actually built by the British around 1675. The fort, built on the Worli hill, overlooked the Mahim Bay at a time...
to the south and Mahim Fort
Mahim Fort
The Mahim Fort is a fort in Mahim in Mumbai, Maharashtra state, India. Strategically located in the Mahim Bay, the fort overlooks Worli to the south, Bandra to the north, and Mahim to the east. The origins of the fort are unclear, but it occupies a strategic location that has been frequently...
near the creek to defend the seven islands of Bombay
Seven islands of Bombay
The seven islands of Bombay were an archipelago of islands that were, over a span of five centuries, connected to form the area of the modern city of Mumbai in India. The seven islands were gradually physically united through land reclamation projects...
against attacks by the Portuguese and the Marathas. Bandra-Worli Sealink crosses the Mahim bay.
Mahim Creek
Mahim Creek
Mahim Creek is a creek in Mumbai, India. The Mithi River drains into the creek which drains into the Mahim Bay. The creek forms the boundary between the city and suburbs...
is a creek
Creek (tidal)
A tidal creek, tidal channel, or estuary is the portion of a stream that is affected by ebb and flow of ocean tides, in the case that the subject stream discharges to an ocean, sea or strait. Thus this portion of the stream has variable salinity and electrical conductivity over the tidal cycle...
in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The Mithi River
Mithi River
The Mithi River is a river in Salsette Island, the island of the city of Mumbai. It is a confluence of tail water discharges of Powai and Vihar lakes. The river is seasonal and rises during the monsoons. The overflowing lakes also contribute to the river flow which is stopped by a dam in other times...
drains into the creek which drains into the Mahim Bay
Mahim Bay
Mahim Bay is a large bay, part of the Arabian Sea in Mumbai India. The southern end is Worli, northern end is Bandra Reclamation and Mahim is in the centre. The bay was named after the islands of Mahim and Salsette were merged in the early 19th century...
. The creek forms the boundary between the city and suburbs
Mumbai Suburban District
The Mumbai Suburban district is a district of the state of Maharashtra in western India. Its headquarters is in Bandra . It consists of three administrative subdivisions or tehsils: Kurla, Andheri, and Borivali. The district along with Mumbai City district make up the metropolis of Mumbai...
. The creek is swamped by mangroves and has a mini-ecosystem within it.
It now has the Bandra-Kurla complex
Bandra-Kurla complex
The Bandra Kurla Complex is a planned commercial complex in the suburbs of the Indian city of Mumbai . According to MMRDA, the complex is the first of a series of "growth centres" created to "arrest further concentration" of offices and commercial activities in South Mumbai...
with corporate offices on both its sides.
The depth of the creek is 15 feet (4.6 m)
The waters of the creek are foul smelling due to the dumping of untreated industrial effluents further upstream. In recent years, the mushrooming of slums around the waters have caused concern for the mangrove ecosystem, vital to the ecosystem of Mumbai.
In 2006, it was the site of mass hysteria as thousands claimed its waters had turned "sweet."
Mahim Causeway
Mahim Causeway
The Mahim Causeway is a vital link road connecting the city of Mumbai with its northern suburbs. The causeway links the neighbourhoods of Mahim to the south with Bandra to the north....
is a vital link road connecting the city of Mumbai with its northern suburbs
Mumbai Suburban District
The Mumbai Suburban district is a district of the state of Maharashtra in western India. Its headquarters is in Bandra . It consists of three administrative subdivisions or tehsils: Kurla, Andheri, and Borivali. The district along with Mumbai City district make up the metropolis of Mumbai...
. The causeway
Causeway
In modern usage, a causeway is a road or railway elevated, usually across a broad body of water or wetland.- Etymology :When first used, the word appeared in a form such as “causey way” making clear its derivation from the earlier form “causey”. This word seems to have come from the same source by...
links the neighbourhoods of Mahim to the south with Bandra to the north.
The Mahim Causeway was built between 1841 to 1846 to connect the island of Salsette with Mahim. The swampy area between the two islands made travel dangerous and thus a need for a causeway arose. The British East India Company
British East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
, who governed Bombay at that time, refused to fund the project. This led Lady Jeejeebhoy
Avabai Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy
Avabai, Lady Jeejeebhoy was the wife of Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, 1st baronet. She is best known for having funded the construction of the Mahim causeway in Mumbai , which serves today as an important link between the island city of Mumbai with its north-western suburbs.-Personal life:Avabai was...
, wife of the first baronet Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, to donate the entire amount of Rs.
Indian rupee
The Indian rupee is the official currency of the Republic of India. The issuance of the currency is controlled by the Reserve Bank of India....
1,57,000/- on the condition that the government would not charge a toll for its use or disturb the Koli
KOLI
KOLI is a radio station serving Wichita Falls, Texas and Vicinity with a country music format. It operates on FM frequency 94.9 MHz and is under ownership of Cumulus Media. It is the radio flagship station for the Wichita Falls Wildcats hockey team....
community who lived around the area
The Mahim causeway forms the link between Swami Vivekanand Road and L.J.Road
Lady Jamshetjee Road, Mumbai
Lady Jamshedjee Road, better known as "L.J. Road", is a major road that runs through Mahim in Mumbai . It is named in honour of Lady Jamshetjee Jeejeebhoy, a philanthropic Parsi lady who funded the construction of Mahim causeway....
, being the stretch between Bandra masjid and Mahim church
St. Michael's Church (Mumbai)
St. Michael's Church is one of the oldest Catholic churches as well as one of oldest existing Portuguese buildings in Mumbai. The church is situated in Mahim, located at the intersection of L.J. Road and Mahim Causeway. Due to its location, it is also informally known as Mahim Church...
(St. Michael's). It is not to be confused with the Bandra-Worli Sea Link
Bandra-Worli Sea Link
The Bandra–Worli Sea Link , also known as the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link , is a cable-stayed bridge with pre-stressed concrete-steel viaducts on either side, that links Bandra and the western suburbs of Mumbai with Worli...
, a major infrastructural project opened on June 30, 2009 which is designed to ease traffic across the causeway by building another bridge across the Mahim Bay
Mahim Bay
Mahim Bay is a large bay, part of the Arabian Sea in Mumbai India. The southern end is Worli, northern end is Bandra Reclamation and Mahim is in the centre. The bay was named after the islands of Mahim and Salsette were merged in the early 19th century...
.
The Mahim fort
Mahim Fort
The Mahim Fort is a fort in Mahim in Mumbai, Maharashtra state, India. Strategically located in the Mahim Bay, the fort overlooks Worli to the south, Bandra to the north, and Mahim to the east. The origins of the fort are unclear, but it occupies a strategic location that has been frequently...
, which was once visible from the Mahim Causeway and Bandra Reclamation, is barely visible now. The Mahim Fort along with Fort St George in South Mumbai was an important base during the time of the British Empire. Other forts in Mumbai and Salsette Island
Salsette Island
Salsette Island is an island in Maharashtra state on India's west coast. The metropolis of Mumbai and the city of Thane lie on this island, making it the 14th most populous island and the fourth most densely populated island in the world, after Migingo Island in Kenya, Ap Lei Chau in Hong Kong,...
include Sion
Sion, India
Sion is a suburb of Mumbai. The Marathi name for Sion is शीव , which means boundary or limit. In the 17th century the village formed the boundary between Mumbai and Salsette Island.- History :...
, Worli
Worli
-History:Worli was one of the original seven islands that constituted the city of Mumbai. Although primarily a fishing village, the Worli Fort, a British fort that is now in ruins, is located there. Its original resident was the legendary Dishankeshwar Kalsi who has also been recognized in several...
, Sewri
Sewri
Sewri is a suburb of Mumbai. It is also the name of a railway station on the Mumbai suburban railway.Neighbouring stations: Cotton Green, Wadala Road....
and Mazgaon. The fort St George was built in 1669, by the former Governor of Bombay, Gerald Aungier.
Thomas Grantham then strengthened the fort's ramparts in 1684. In the year 1772, 111 years after Bombay was taken from them, the Portuguese attempted to attack this fort. The British replied fiercely with cannonballs. In fact, the Bandra church also bore the brunt of their fire. There were about 100 soldiers and 30 cannons in the Mahim Fort at that time.
Today the fort is almost ruined and encroachers and hutments occupy it.
See also
- Makhdoom Ali MahimiMakhdoom Ali MahimiMakhdoom Ali Mahimi was a Muslim Scholar origin from the Konkan in India, widely acknowledged for his scholarly treatises, liberal views and humanist ideals...
- St. Michael's Church (Mumbai)St. Michael's Church (Mumbai)St. Michael's Church is one of the oldest Catholic churches as well as one of oldest existing Portuguese buildings in Mumbai. The church is situated in Mahim, located at the intersection of L.J. Road and Mahim Causeway. Due to its location, it is also informally known as Mahim Church...
- Mithi RiverMithi RiverThe Mithi River is a river in Salsette Island, the island of the city of Mumbai. It is a confluence of tail water discharges of Powai and Vihar lakes. The river is seasonal and rises during the monsoons. The overflowing lakes also contribute to the river flow which is stopped by a dam in other times...
- Back Bay
- Mahim CausewayMahim CausewayThe Mahim Causeway is a vital link road connecting the city of Mumbai with its northern suburbs. The causeway links the neighbourhoods of Mahim to the south with Bandra to the north....