Bombay: City of Gold
The 'City of Gold' is two places, explains Gilliian Tindall. People have been coming to Bombay for 300 years, hoping to make their fortune. But in their search for gold many have died. Their bodies were laid in a place known as Sonapur, which also means 'the city of gold' since, according to an Indian saying, to die is to be turned to gold.
When the British first interested themselves in Bombay, a natural port on the west coast of India, 'the Island', as it was commonly called, consisted properly speaking of not one island but seven: these were grouped around an expanse of salt flats which, in the monsoon, became a dividing flood, but which, in drier seasons and at low tide, united the islands and was eventually to be reclaimed and made part of one whole.
To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.
Start my trial subscription now
If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.
Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.
