Industrialization in Bombay

From 1661-1885, the subcontinent of India was under British imperial rule. The influence left by British colonialism can still be seen in certain parts of the Indian culture today. Today, we’ll be looking at some of the artifacts left behind during British imperial rule. To be specific, we’ll be looking at how maps from the time period tell the tales of British rule in the famous city of Bombay (now known as Mumbai). With a special focus on a map created in 1855, by an unknown author (due to the illegibility of the signature), we will be close reading and contrasting this piece of history for the purpose of discussing and discovering more about the effects of industrialization on the city of Bombay around the 1850’s. With the production of cotton on the rise in Bombay during this time period, industrialization was making its way into the city through ports, mills, and a railway system. We will be looking to see what this map could possibly tell us about the state of Bombay during this time period.