View of Mazagon Dock from Gaondevi Temple on Mazagon Hill. Established in 1774 by the Wadia family of shipbuilders, the Mazagon Docks are primarily used for the construction of warships and submarines for the Indian Navy. This includes maintenance, upgrades, and modernization of ships and submarines to extend their operational lives. In addition, the docks are also used for the repair and refitting of old naval vessels.
Among the first people to live in the Bombay Islands were the Kolis. Aside from Kolis, the area was populated by groups of people who worked in occupations that supported the regional economy. These included the Agris and Kunbis (paddy growers), the Bhandaris (toddy tappers), and the Mitha Agris (saltpan workers). However, as times changed, only the Kolis continued to engage in their traditional profession and have maintained a distinct cultural identity.
In the 1850s, Chinese immigrants began to arrive in Mumbai. These Chinese immigrants originated in the southern Chinese port city of Canton and were residents of the See Yup Koon neighbourhood. The majority of them were sailors who worked on ships that travelled between China and India. Chinatown was founded in Mazagon around the beginning of the 20th century. A remnant of the Chinatown is Kwan Kung Temple, a Chinese temple, located at 12 Nawab Tank Road.
Tracks on P. D’Mello Road are remnants of the Bombay Port Trust Railway Lines that were laid in 1915 to transport goods from all the piers and docks to the warehouses, godowns (white building in the background), and storage facilities located along the P. D’Mello Road. This route was also used by the tramway, which first started operation in April 1896 and lasted till March 31, 1964, when all tram services were discontinued in Mumbai.
The entrance to the Mazagaon Masjid, established in 1890. Islam came to Mumbai through traders, saints, and preachers who arrived from various parts of the Indian subcontinent, and even from foreign lands. Trade, business, and commerce were dominated by the Bohras, the Khojas, and the Kutchi Memons. As a result of this mixed heritage, the Muslim population in Mazagon is diverse, with various sects having built mosques, maqbaras, and dargahs in the area.
Gloria Church Cross is a remnant of the former Gloria Church in Mazagon, located close to Hospital Lane. Constructed in 1548, the church began as a private chapel for Captain Antonio Passao and was demolished in 1596 to build a church in its place. This church was demolished and rebuilt in 1810. The site where Gloria Church and its parish house were located was designated for purchase for the Bombay Port Trust Railway. The old church was dismantled in 1910 after the Bombay Port Trust agreed to pay the Diocese two lakh rupees in compensation. Gloria Church in Byculla was reconstructed and reopened in 1913.
The Gaondevi Temple honours the village deity (Goddess) of Mazagaon. The Koli community worships an imprint of a foot that they believe was left by the Goddess, hoping that it will protect fishermen on the high seas. The current temple is situated on Mazagaon Hill, however, this is not where it was historically located. During Navratri, the temple comes to life as the Gaondevi is ritualistically transported across Mazagon.
Fishermen ply their trade door-to-door with the day’s fresh catch. This practice has remained unchanged over centuries. The only noticeable change is the replacement of traditional cane baskets with plastic buckets.
Ownership and management of the Catholic churches began to diverge after the Portuguese gave the British control of the Bombay Islands. ‘Descendentes’ were the descendants of the Portuguese, while ‘naturalis,’ which included the Kolis, were the natives who had undergone conversion. The descendants refused to let the naturalis inside Gloria Church. The naturalis objected and urged the government to provide them land in Mazagon so they could construct their own church. Consequently, Our Lady of the Rosary Church was constructed on this land in 1794, as indicated by the inscription on the wall.