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When Did Bombay Become Mumbai?

Locals have always called it that, but city made it official in 1995

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 1, 2008 2:07 PM CST

(Newser) – The terrorist attacks last week saw Mumbai dominate headlines across the world. But when did Bombay become Mumbai? For locals it’s always been Mumbai, in honor of Mumbadevi, the city’s deity, writes Christopher Beam for Slate. But the city’s official name change happened in 1995, when the nationalist Shiv Sena party came to power and enacted a number of measures to reassert Marathi identity in the region.

Shiv Sena saw “Bombay” as an English version of “Mumbai” and therefore a reminder of British rule. At the time, the party also sought to do away with “Bollywood,” which derives partly from “Bombay”—but the nickname of India’s film industry has persisted.

An unidentified girl playfully chases away pigeons as life returns to normal in Mumbai, India, Monday, Dec. 1, 2008.
An unidentified girl playfully chases away pigeons as life returns to normal in Mumbai, India, Monday, Dec. 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Residents of Mumbai light candles outside Taj Mahal hotel in memory of those who died in the hands of terrorists, in Mumbai, India, Monday, Dec. 1, 2008.
Residents of Mumbai light candles outside Taj Mahal hotel in memory of those who died in the hands of terrorists, in Mumbai, India, Monday, Dec. 1, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
The landmark 565-room Taj Mahal hotel is seen after dusk in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008.
The landmark 565-room Taj Mahal hotel is seen after dusk in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008.   (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)
Citizens and police officers walk during the funeral procession of Hemant Karkare, the chief of Mumbai's Anti-Terrorist Squad, who was killed by gunmen,photograph seen, in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008.
Citizens and police officers walk during the funeral procession of Hemant Karkare, the chief of Mumbai's Anti-Terrorist Squad, who was killed by gunmen,photograph seen, in Mumbai, India, Saturday, Nov....   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Guest
May 12, 2009 1:36 AM CDT
actually it was named after "MUMBA DEVI" a hindu goddess ..you can read full article here when did bombay become mumbai
Mr.C
Dec 1, 2008 9:27 PM CST
that is
Guest
Dec 1, 2008 5:17 AM CST
The Times of London only switched to Mumbai today. It was embarrassing.

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