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From Bombay to Mumbai Trivia Quiz

Let's trace the history of this group of islands from being part of a marriage dowry to its present day status as the financial capital of India.

A multiple-choice quiz by zorba_scank. Estimated time: 5 mins.

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Author
zorba_scank

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
257,753

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1906

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

This quiz has 2 formats: you can play it as a or as shown below.
Scroll down to the bottom for the answer key.

1. Bombay was originally a group of seven islands. Which of the following was NOT one of them? Hint

Old Woman's Island

Elephanta Island

Colaba

Mazagaon

NEXT>

2. In the 3rd century BC, Bombay became part of the Maurya Empire. Which king of the Maurya Dynasty was in power at that time? Hint

None of these

Chandragupta

Ashoka

Bindusara

3. After the collapse of the Maurya Empire, Bombay was ruled by a number of other Hindu kings and dynasties including the Gupta and Silhara dynasties. Which European explorer was the first to reach Bombay in 1508? Hint

Pedro Alvares Cabral

Vasco da Gama

Francisco de Almeida

Bartholomeu Dias

NEXT>

4. In 1640, the first Parsis began arriving in Bombay. Which present-day country were they originally from? Hint

Iran

Syria

Iraq

Lebanon

NEXT>

5. In 1661, the seven islands of Bombay were given away as part of Princess Catherine of Braganca's marriage dowry. Whom did she marry? Hint

King Frederick II of Denmark

King Henry IV of France

King James I of England

King Charles II of England

NEXT>

6. To whom did their new owner lease the islands in 1668? Hint

Hudson's Bay Company

London Virginia Company

British East India Company

French East India Company

NEXT>

7. Sir George Oxenden became the first governor of Bombay Presidency in 1668.

True

False

NEXT>

8. Which educational institution was founded in Bombay in 1887 and became the first Indian institute to offer degrees in technical subjects like engineering? Hint

Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute

Prince of Wales University

King George Technological Institute

Grant Institute of Higher Education

NEXT>

9. Bombay also played a significant role during the struggle for Indian Independence. Which movement was launched on 7th August 1942 at Gowalia Tank? Hint

Bombay Mutiny

Non co-operation movement

Quit India movement

Salt Satyagraha

NEXT>

10. In 1995, Bombay was renamed Mumbai. Which political party was in power at the state level at the time? Hint

Indian National Congress

Nationalist Congress Party

Communist Party of India

Shiv Sena

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Bombay was originally a group of seven islands. Which of the following was NOT one of them?

Answer: Elephanta Island

The four other islands were Parel, Mahim, Worli and Bombay. A small group of islands further north came to be known as Salsette Island. Archaeological evidence indicates that Bombay has been inhabited since the Stone Age.

2. In the 3rd century BC, Bombay became part of the Maurya Empire. Which king of the Maurya Dynasty was in power at that time?

Answer: Ashoka

Under King Ashoka, Bombay gradually became a center of Buddhism. Buddhist artwork, sculpture and inscriptions can still be found in the Kanheri, Elephanta, Jogeshwari and Mahakali Caves.

Answer: Francisco de Almeida

The Portuguese named the islands Bom Bahia which means 'good harbour'. Later the British anglicized the name to Bombay. The Portuguese built forts at Sion, Mahim and Bassein.

4. In 1640, the first Parsis began arriving in Bombay. Which present-day country were they originally from?

Answer: Iran

Parsis first arrived in Gujarat to the north of Bombay after fleeing from their native country, Persia. Arab invaders were forcing them to convert to Islam and this led to their seeking refuge in India.

5. In 1661, the seven islands of Bombay were given away as part of Princess Catherine of Braganca's marriage dowry. Whom did she marry?

Answer: King Charles II of England

The Portuguese didn't regard the islands of Bombay as important since they had already established their headquarters at Goa. However, they kept Salsette Island for themselves.

6. To whom did their new owner lease the islands in 1668?

Answer: British East India Company

The British didn't view the islands highly either and they were leased to the British East India Company for an annual sum of 10 pounds in gold. In 1687, the British East India Company made Bombay their headquarters. Later they also acquired Salsette Island through the Treaty of Salbai (1782).

7. Sir George Oxenden became the first governor of Bombay Presidency in 1668.

Answer: True

He was succeeded by Gerald Aungier in 1672 who constructed the Bombay Castle. A very small part of the original fort wall exists to this date. Most people (including those living in Bombay) are unaware of this and I had to hunt around for quite some time before I found it.

Unfortunately, the city municipal corporation has built a public lavatory right in front of this forgotten landmark. Aungier provided incentives for businessmen and traders to move to Bombay thus setting the foundation for it to become an important commercial center.

Historians have bestowed on him the title of 'Father of Bombay'.

8. Which educational institution was founded in Bombay in 1887 and became the first Indian institute to offer degrees in technical subjects like engineering?

Answer: Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute

On 26th January 1997 it was renamed Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute. It still ranks among the top ten technical institutes in the country.
The University of Bombay was founded in 1857.

9. Bombay also played a significant role during the struggle for Indian Independence. Which movement was launched on 7th August 1942 at Gowalia Tank?

Answer: Quit India movement

It was here that Mahatma Gandhi gave the 'Do or Die' call and launched the Quit India movement. Other national leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru and Maulana Azad were also present. In recent times Gowalia Tank was renamed August Kranti Maidan (August Revolution Ground).

10. In 1995, Bombay was renamed Mumbai. Which political party was in power at the state level at the time?

Answer: Shiv Sena

Bombay had been known as Mumbai in the local dialect for centuries. The name is derived from the Hindu Goddess, Mumbadevi. In 1995, the Shiv Sena led coalition party decided to make this official despite public protests. A number of other historical institutions, monuments, roads, hospitals, railway terminals and airports were also renamed by them during this period.

Source: Author zorba_scank

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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