'Bombay isn’t India. Bombay is an own-world. A world in itself. The real India is out there.' – Gregory David Roberts, Shantaram
India’s rich and diverse history is not devoid of any struggles. Bombay was known to be the intellectual capital, it was home to Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian National Congress and the iconic words ‘Quit India’ and ‘Simon Go back’. One only needs to walk through the streets of Mumbai to fully recognise its significance to the Independence Movement. As India celebrates its 75th Independence, let’s take a trip down Bombay’s iconic history.
Asiatic Library
At the top of the steps of the grand Town Hall at Mumbai’s Horniman Circle lies the Asiatic Society of Mumbai’s library. Its origins can trace back to the Literary Society of Bombay, meeting for the first time in Mumbai on November 26, 1804, and was founded by Sir James Mackintosh – a lawyer, and public figure in England who was also the Recorder of the King’s Judge for Bombay.
In 1858, the then Governor of Bombay, Lord Elphinstone read the Queen’s Proclamation from the famed steps of the library, announcing to the people that they would henceforth be considered citizens of the British Empire. After Gandhiji’s death, his ashes were laid in the Asiatic Town Hall and Library for the people to pay their respects. The building today plays host to a library with over 100,000 books, of which, 15,000 are classified as being rare and valuable.
Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College & August Kranti Maidan
On December 28, 1885, around 72 Indians from all around the country gathered at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, next to August Kranti Maidan in Tardeo to form the Indian National Congress (INC).
On 8 August 1942 at this very Maidan that M.K. Gandhi made the call for the British to quit India, 'Do or Die. We shall either free India or die in the attempt.' More than 40,000 people had gathered at the Maidan to hear Gandhi’s speech.
The August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai is getting a grand Rs 32 crore makeover ahead of India’s 75th Independence Day and in commemoration of Quit India Movement’s 80th anniversary.
Ajit Villa
'This is Congress Radio calling on 42.34 meters from somewhere in India.'
This was one of the locations of the ‘Underground Congress Radio’ during the 1942 Quit India Movement. Veteran freedom fighter Usha Mehta started this mobile radio station so that those involved could run away from the backdoor with the equipment, in case of a police raid.
Raghavji Road
Raghavji Road was home to Yusuf Mehr Ali, who came up with the most iconic slogans of the freedom movement, such as ‘Quit India’ and ‘Simon Go Back’. Yusuf Meher Ali was elected Mayor of Bombay in 1942 while he was imprisoned in Yerawada Central Prison. He was also the founder of the National Militia, Bombay Youth League and the Congress Socialist Party and played a role in several peasant and trade union movements
Imperial Cinema
On January 14, 1915, days after his return, according to a report in the Bombay Chronicle, Gandhi attended a 'garden party' on the grounds of Mangaldas House. Mangaldas House still stands, a nondescript building just off Lamington Road. The lush gardens are now the Imperial Cinema, this is where Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Mahatma Gandhi first met. This was also the venue for ‘The First Satyagraha’. On Gandhi's return from South Africa, a Gujarati organisation arranged a welcome for him. Surprised to see that they all spoke in English, Gandhiji took it upon himself to talk in Gujarati when it was his turn. This action was one of the first of many other passive resistances put up by him and hence, is called ‘The First Satyagraha’.
Mani Bhavan
Known by the name Gandhi Museum, Mani Bhavan is where Gandhiji laid the foundation for many independence movements like Non-Cooperation, Satyagraha, Swadeshi, Khadi and Khilafat movement. It was in Mani Bhavan that Gandhiji started his association with 'charkha' or spinning wheel. The three storeyed building is now a museum in honour of the father of the nation.
Gateway Of India
In 1911, the then Emperor of India George V visited India along with his Empress consort Mary of Teck. To commemorate their visit, the monument was built in 1924. After its construction, the gateway was used as a symbolic ceremonial entrance to British India for important colonial personnel. It has been called a symbol of 'conquest and colonization' commemorating the British colonial legacy. The gateway is also the monument from where the last British troops left India in 1948, following Indian independence.