Describe any five causes of the expansion of Bombay in 19th century.
Ans. Bombay started developing in the 19th century.
The five prominent reasons for the expansion of Bombay and . due to which it emerged as a centre of trade and other activities were
(i) Bombay became the capital of the Bombay
presidency. With the growth of trade in cotton and opium, large communities of traders, bankers, artisans, shopkeepers came to settle in Bombay
(ii) By 1921, there were 85 cotton mills in Bombay with about 146000 workers. Large number of people migrated here in search of job.
(iii) Bombay dominated the maritime trade of India till well into the 20th century.
(iv) Bombay was the junction head of two major railways-Central and Western railways. It encouraged a large number of migration.
(v) By 1925, Bombay became India’s film capital, producing films for the national audience.
Gradually, Bombay became an important administrative centre and a major industrial centre in Western India.