City of Gold (Travel Library)

Rating:
Summary: Short introduction to Bombay's history
Review: A good, well-written, though short history of Bombay. Inevitably, given the fact that the city's early growth was essentially a product of the European presence in India, this account is very Euro-centric(though not exclusively, as the role of the Parsis is described in some detail). To be fair, the author acknowledges these limitations at the start of the book.

Nonetheless, I was slightly disappointed that the story ended upon the departure of the British. A little more about post-Raj developments would have been nice (the edition I was reading was dated 1980, so in general I felt that it needed updating).

I should have liked to know more about how the land reclamation was carried out. I admit my ignorance in that before reading this book, I did not know that most of Bombay has been reclaimed from the sea. This seems so central to the city's past and present I should have appreciated a fuller description of the processes involved.

Further strengths of the book are that the author presents an essentially pro-urban view of modern city development and a (for me) new perspective on Western views of Indian society.

Worth a look if you can get a copy.

Rating:
Summary: Engaging story of the development of the city of Bombay
Review: For anyone who has been to India and Bombay, and for those who have not but would like to explore the nooks and crannies, the unique character and the history of one of the world's most significant cities, City of Gold grabs your attention in print much as it does in "person." Ms. Tindall paints picture after picture of views of Bombay at various periods of history as she weaves the story of its development with the different colors of the diverse ethnic groups that contributed to its fabric.

The city rises against the backdrop of the history of the European and particularly the English presence throughout India. Ms. Tindall peels back the layers of dirt and grime to reveal the significance of landmarks -- Bombay is an archeological treasure but one that is contemporaneous with the history of the United States.

The author develops the story of the history through exploring a number of themes: arriving in Bombay, the physical characteristics and development of the land, the presence of women, the industrial age. City of Gold is variously a social history, a city planning/history study and a watercolor portrait that is sometime entertaining and amusing, and at other times wrenching.

Unfortunately City of Gold is out of print in the Western world, but can be bought in Bombay itself from Penguin Books India.

Rating:
Summary: Engaging story of the development of the city of Bombay
Review: For anyone who has been to India and Bombay, and for those who have not but would like to explore the nooks and crannies, the unique character and the history of one of the world's most significant cities, City of Gold grabs your attention in print much as it does in "person." Ms. Tindall paints picture after picture of views of Bombay at various periods of history as she weaves the story of its development with the different colors of the diverse ethnic groups that contributed to its fabric.

The city rises against the backdrop of the history of the European and particularly the English presence throughout India. Ms. Tindall peels back the layers of dirt and grime to reveal the significance of landmarks -- Bombay is an archeological treasure but one that is contemporaneous with the history of the United States.

The author develops the story of the history through exploring a number of themes: arriving in Bombay, the physical characteristics and development of the land, the presence of women, the industrial age. City of Gold is variously a social history, a city planning/history study and a watercolor portrait that is sometime entertaining and amusing, and at other times wrenching.

Unfortunately City of Gold is out of print in the Western world, but can be bought in Bombay itself from Penguin Books India.