Bombaythetown

Bombay, the town, occupies the breadth of the S.E. end of Bombay peninsula. It touches Bombay harbour on the E. and Back Bay on the S.W. The island, connected with the mainland by causeways and breakwaters, constitutes a district 11 miles long, 3 or 4 broad, and having an area of 22 square miles. The harbour is one of the finest in the world, and has 14 miles by 5 available for shipping. Bombay is European in appearance, having wide streets and extensive lines of tramway. Many bungalows and villas are built on the Malabar Hill, forming the western arm of Back Bay, and on Breach Hill, the continuation of the ridge to the north. Most of the inhabitants of Bombay are Hindus and Mohammedans, and the Parsees reckon next to the English in influence and position. Most of the public buildings are on the esplanade facing Back Bay. The G. I. P. railway terminus is a magnificent building which cost over £300,000. Other handsome buildings are the cathedral, the post-office, the university, etc. The old fort on the east of Back Bay is now only a garrison, the harbour being defended by rock-batteries and two ironclads. Of the extensive docks Princes Dock is the chief, and cost over a million, and the British Government are going to build a dock large enough to hold the largest ironclad. The city water-supply is drawn from Vihar lake, 15 miles N. Bombay has become the chief Indian port for foreign trade, and her share of Indian trade as compared with Calcutta is as 42.78 per cent. to 36.9 per cent. The chief industries are cotton-spinning and weaving, in which its competition is severely felt by Lancashire, and dyeing, tanning, and metal working.