Last updated: October 2026 Β· 3 min read
Mumbai is India’s financial capital, the home of Hindi cinema and a city that never sleeps. Its history is as fascinating as its skyline. Here are 12 incredible facts about the City of Dreams.
12 incredible facts about Mumbai
1. It was built from seven islands
Mumbai was once seven separate islands. Over the 17th to 19th centuries, land reclamation joined them into the single landmass we know today.
2. Its name honours a goddess
The name Mumbai comes from Mumba Devi, the city’s patron goddess. The official name changed from Bombay to Mumbai in 1995.
3. India’s first train ran from here
India’s first passenger train ran from Bori Bunder in Bombay to Thane on 16 April 1853.
4. Its main station is a World Heritage Site
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, formerly Victoria Terminus, was completed in 1888 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
5. Its local trains carry millions daily
The Mumbai suburban railway carries around 7 million passengers every day, one of the busiest commuter systems in the world.
6. It has Asia’s oldest stock exchange
The Bombay Stock Exchange, founded in 1875, is the oldest stock exchange in Asia.
7. The Gateway of India marks a royal visit
The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911 and completed in 1924.
8. Dabbawalas are world-famous
Mumbai’s dabbawalas deliver around 2 lakh home-cooked lunches every working day with remarkable accuracy, and their system has been studied by business schools worldwide.
9. It has a national park with leopards
Sanjay Gandhi National Park lies within the city limits and is home to leopards, a rare feature for a megacity.
10. Indian cinema began here
Dadasaheb Phalke’s Raja Harishchandra, India’s first full-length feature film, premiered in Bombay in 1913, and the city remains the heart of the Hindi film industry.
11. It has two UNESCO heritage sites in the city
Besides the railway terminus, the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai were added to the UNESCO list in 2018. Nearby Elephanta Caves are also a World Heritage Site.
12. It has India’s longest sea bridge
The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Atal Setu, opened in January 2024 and stretches about 21.8 km across the sea to Navi Mumbai.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Mumbai called the financial capital of India?
It hosts the Reserve Bank of India, the BSE and NSE stock exchanges and the headquarters of many major banks and companies.
What is the population of Mumbai?
The Mumbai metropolitan region has over 20 million people, making it one of the most populous urban areas in the world.
When did Bombay become Mumbai?
The city was officially renamed Mumbai in 1995.
Keep exploring
- The story of Indian cinema
- How the Indian monsoon works
- More Geography explainers on Tiwaripedia
- Browse all incredible facts
Facts are based on widely accepted scientific, historical and official sources at the time of writing. Spotted something that needs updating? Let us know.
