The Rise of Bombay; A Retrospect (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1902 Excerpt: ... f For in a matter mighty and bearing many ways to judge with unswayed mind and suitably, this is a hard essay; yet hath some ordinance of immortals given this sea-defended land to be to strangers out of every clime a pillar built of God. May coming time not weary of this work.' Period The First.--1661 To 1673. At the Palace of Whitehall, on the 23rd day of June, 1661, was signed the Marriage-Treaty between Charles II. and the Infanta of Portugal, whereby the Port and Island of Bombay "'with all the rights, profits, territories and appurtenances whatsoever thereunto belonging" were handed over " to the King of Great Britain, his heirs and successors for even" This memorable event forms the prelude to the last act of our island-drama, wherein the Heptanesia gradually emerge from barrenness and poverty, and, passing through a series of geographical, political and social transformations, finally appear before us as the splendid and populous capital of Western India. The period, which extends from the date of the Marriage-Treaty to the opening of this twentieth century, may be viewed from manifold standpoints Military transactions, growth of revenue, expansion of trade, might severally form the subject-matter of no mean volume; but the study of them would not necessarily conduce to an adequate grasp of the changes which have taken place in the external appearance and population of Bombay, since the British first set foot therein. It is with the latter subject, however, rather than with political or commercial changes, that this monograph must necessarily deal; and, inasmuch as there are vouchsafed to us, at different dates from the year 1661 till the present day, definite statements of the number of inhabitants of Bombay, it will be our endeavour to fashion upon...