Presidency of Bombay Map During The British Era, 1900

Presidency of Bombay Map During The British Era, 1900

A 1900 map of the British-era Bombay Presidency. The British came to India for trade but stayed back to rule the country for 300-plus years. Starting with the East India Company opening a settlement at Surat in 1608. By 1611, they opened a settlement in Machilipatnam. Then at Madras (Chennai) in 1639. Expanding to Calcutta (Kolkata) in 1651.

All these settlements typically had their factories and warehouses. During this time, the East India Company gained control over the seven islands of Bombay. King Charles II of England acquired Bombay (Mumbai) in 1661 as a royal dowry.  By way of his marrying the Portuguese Princess Catherine of Braganza.

The King leased the seven islands to the East India Company. The company shifted its Western India headquarters from Surat to Bombay Harbour in 1687. The Bombay Province had its beginning here. The reclamation of the seven islands took place to unify them into a single landmass. The reclamation steadily progressed for over two centuries.

The Province comprised the present-day Gujarat and many regions of Maharashtra, including Konkan, and parts of Northern Karnataka. The other regions under its control were Pakistan’s Sindh Province (1847-1935) and Aden in Yemen (1839-1932). Many of them are shown in this map of the British era Bombay Presidency. Click on the photo for better view.

See post Aden, Bombay, Madras & Calcutta – Vintage Map 1910.

Did you know- that there were also the Bengal and Madras Presidencies during the British era.  

From the collection- Vintage Raja Ravi Varma “Laxmi” Oleograph., Domestic Life In British India, Photo 1890., Old Courthouse Street Calcutta – Two Old Postcards 1905., Making Of The Mullaperiyar Dam – Old Print 1895