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First published in 2004,
Mumbai by the Sea is a book on the rich maritime heritage of Mumbai and its waters ever since the beginning of the Christian era. Though much has been written about urban Mumbai and its modern port since the days of the East India Company, the nostalgic reminiscences of the more distant past have not been fully explored. This book seeks to fill this gap about the romance of Mumbai with the surrounding seas and the eventful progress through many crises emanating from seawards. The successful emergence of Mumbai as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea' and the 'water gate' of India is a story worth recording for the future.
The book is illustrated with many maps, many of which have been designed for the book. A number of 'historic maps' also find place in the work. A choice photo gallery is added to give the book a historic flavour. This book is a must read for scholars and researchers of Maritime history of India, history of Indian navigation, historical geography, geography and South Asian history.
List of contents
About Maritime History Society Foreword Author's Preface Acknowledgement 1. Mumbai Port Heritage- Preamble
2. Coastal Configuration of Mumbai Region: Past and Present
3. Early Ports of the Mumbai Region
4. Medieval Sashti and Mumbai
5. Colonial Rule Sails into Aparanta
6. Medieval Ports of Aparanta
7. The Sea-Crafts of North Konkan Coast
8. Medieval Ship Building in North Konkan
9. Colonial Period Maps of Mumbai and Its Seas
10. Mumbai Reclamations
11. Sea Skirmishes in the Colonial Period
12. Mumbai Harbour and Docks
13. The Bombay Marine
14. Seas Around Mumbai: Past and Present
15. Hazardous, Navigation Aids and Coastal Batteries
16. Shipwrecks in Mumbai Waters
17. Bombay Dock Explosion: April 1944
18. A New Port to Share the Harbour Bay
19. Impact of the Sea on Mumbai and its Harbour
About the author
Late Professor B. Arunachalam will be fondly remembered for his scholarly contributions to Indian Geography, especially in the field of Geomorphology and Cartography and for opening new vistas of academic collaboration and research in the professional field of history of Indian navigation.
About the Maritime History Society:The Maritime History Society (MHS), an academic initiative of the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy was established on 12 May 1978 by the late Vice Admiral MP Awati with a vision to promote the study of India's maritime history. MHS has grown into a leading research organisation dedicated to exploring the country's rich maritime heritage and naval legacy. As part of its academic mission, MHS undertakes a wide range of activities including publication of scholarly books, hosting seminars, lectures, workshops and curating maritime-themed museums, exhibitions and heritage projects including the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat. The Society also maintains a well- curated gallery with over 2,000 artefacts, a reference library and digital presence featuring blogs and display of artefacts. Its collaboration with Talyor and Francis under the Routledge Revival series further extends its educational outreach. We hope that these publications will inspire a new generation of researchers and scholars, contributing to a deeper understanding of India's rich maritime past and naval legacy.