As the colonial influence increased in the region and also since Bombaim was a deep water port, large vessels were able to dock there. By the 17th century, the Portuguese settlement on Bombay Island had developed as a small trading port and the Manor House (Quinta) built by a Portuguese physician and botanist, Garcia-da-Orta in 1548 became the residence of the Portuguese governor in 1626. This trading place slowly grew, with local people trading products such as silk, muslin, chintz, onyx, rice, cotton and tobacco. In 1634, the then governor thought it necessary that the port needed to protection from other foreign traders such as the Dutch, English and Indian pirates the structure was rebuilt and fortified with a single bastion and two cannons. The marriage treaty of Charles II of England and Catherine of Braganza that concluded on 8 May 1661 placed Bombay under British rule—the territory was part of Catherine's dowry. Abraham Shipman was an Englishman appointed as Royal governor and general of Bombay On 19 March 1662, his fleet arrived there in about September or October of 1662. On the ground of some alleged irregularity the Portuguese governor refused to give up Bombay. Abraham Shipman successor Humphrey Cooke, finally travelled to Bombay and completed negotiations for the Portuguese surrender of Bombay, he took possession of the Island and assumed office as governor on January 18, 1665. The formal instrument of possession of Bombay Islands was signed in the Manor House. The Manor house surrounded by a spacious garden amidst a few thatched huts and mudflats, on the western shore of a Bombay (the good bay). The Manor House was double-storied wooden structure surrounded by a garden. When Humphrey Cook and his men took possession of Bombay in the King's name, they found —" a pretty well Seated, but ill Fortified House, four Brass Guns being the whole Defense of the Island." " About the House was a delicate Garden, voiced to be the pleasantest in India. Humphrey Cooke, is believed to have fortified the structure further with lime and stone and make it large enough to accommodate 18 cannons he renamed the manor ‘Bombay Castle’. The walls were 20 ft high and the ramparts 42 feet wide to defend the island against marauding sea pirates attacking British ships and boats at anchorage. The main building within this castle was the Governor's House in which Cooke and his successor Gervase Lucas (appointed 5th November 1666) resided. 1685 image of the Bombay Castle http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=218940291507218&set=a.218940211507226.58409.100001737461941&type=3&theater

The name change from Bombay to Mumbai is very recent. The justification accepted by most people without question seems to be that Mumbai was the original name of some settlement in the area, so the name change was just a restoration of the original Indian name. In actuality, and all sources seem to be in agreement that the region were an archipelago of seven islands. Historical records indicate the name ‘Bombay’ possibly originated as the Old Portuguese phrase bom baim, meaning "good little bay", and Bombaim was still commonly used by the Portuguese which the English pronounced Bombay when they took over the control of the islands in the late 17th century. The British in fact had not got control on all the islands but the southernmost region around the good bay. it is around the 'Bombay castle' that the city grew over the years and got its name Bombay.

Thank you Gopal Ravishankar Nair for your engaging comments! Must say, you seem to be quite an expert on Bombay.

not an expert ...but currently engaged in a research on Mumbai 1661-1890.... these details were taken out of the papers that i have prepared based on various books and transcripts published by travelers during this period, yes the internet and wonderful people like you have been very supportive to my cause with data offered....... thank you

Great !! RBSI's archives are at your service. And of course we look forward to your book ! : )

It ws great to read about Bombay. Thanks to RBSI and GRN.