Bombay Presidency: Difference between revisions
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Latest revision as of 06:27, 10 July 2025
Bombay Presidency, also called the Presidency of Bombay, was one of the three principal administrative divisions of British India, alongside the Bengal Presidency and Madras Presidency. It was centered in Bombay (now Mumbai) and included present-day Maharashtra, parts of Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Sindh (now in Pakistan).[1]
Historical Background
Originally held by the Portuguese Empire, Bombay (then "Bombaim") was transferred to the British as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza when she married Charles II of England in 1661. The British East India Company leased it from the Crown in 1668 and began developing it as a trading and naval base.[2]
The Presidency gradually expanded through annexation, treaties, and military campaigns such as:
- The defeat of the Maratha Empire (1818)
- Incorporation of Sindh (1843)
- Addition of princely states under British suzerainty
Administration
Bombay Presidency was governed by a British-appointed Governor who reported directly to the Viceroy. The administrative divisions included:
- Districts managed by Collectors
- Princely states under Resident Commissioners
- A High Court established in Bombay in 1862 for judicial administration
It had a **bicameral legislature** after the Government of India Act 1919, with a legislative council and local representation.
Economic and Commercial Importance
The Presidency played a vital role in colonial trade, especially through:
- Bombay Port – one of the most important shipping hubs in Asia
- Development of the cotton textile industry, especially after the American Civil War disrupted U.S. cotton supply
- Export of opium, spices, and manufactured goods
The completion of railways and telegraph lines further boosted its commercial network.
Social and Cultural Impact
Bombay Presidency saw the rise of:
- English education and Western institutions such as University of Bombay (est. 1857)
- Social reform movements led by figures like Jyotirao Phule, Dadabhai Naoroji, and Gopal Krishna Gokhale
- Urban development of Bombay into a multicultural city
The region was also active in the Indian Independence Movement through events like the Quit India Movement (1942), which began in Bombay.
Partition and End
After independence in 1947, Bombay Presidency was reorganized as Bombay State. In 1960, it was further split into the linguistic states of Maharashtra and Gujarat following the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement.[3]
Notable Cities
- Bombay – Capital and commercial hub
- Ahmedabad – Center of textile industry and Gandhian activity
- Karachi – Major port city (part of Presidency until 1936, now in Pakistan)
- Pune, Surat, Baroda – Regional urban centers
Legacy
Bombay Presidency laid the foundation for:
- Modern urban infrastructure
- Commercial law and institutions
- Political awakening in Western India
It continues to influence India’s administrative, legal, and urban development frameworks.
See Also
- British India
- East India Company
- Bombay (Mumbai)
- Indian Independence Movement
- Maratha Empire
- Gujarat
- Maharashtra