Did you know that Bombay had its own official crest? Or that in 1750, the city unveiled Asia’s first dry dock—Bombay Dock—that is in use to this day? While Mumbai is a bustling metropolis and commercial hub today, every nook and corner in this once-upon-a-time fortified harbour holds a piece of rich history.

While historic events are interesting to hear about, plowing through volumes of journals in archives can seem daunting—often leaving you with a tower of unread books that makes you bristle with guilt. If you’re looking for a lighter, more engaging solution, head over to Chronicles of Mumbai on Instagram. With Goldilocks-sized stories about iconic structures and noteworthy people, a trove of heritage images and old paintings, each post recalls a glorious past across centuries. In an informal conversational-style, with intriguing bits of trivia, it’s like listening to a friend at Marine Drive.