Explore Mumbai's history through these six wartime establishments

Mumbai one of the three presidency cities during the British era played a significant role during both World Wars Apart from being a prominent port city in South Asia it was also a major economic and naval hub in the country even in the 1930s and 40s ldquoAdolf Hitler once eyed Bombay as he believed Indians were lsquosecondclass Aryansrsquo with relatively superior genesrdquo says Dr Anita RaneKothare historian and professor at St Xavierrsquos College and incharge of the Bombay Local History SocietyThe city is dotted with remnants of wars lying in plain sight that may be skipped by untrained eyes But for history buffs these ldquogenericlooking placesrdquo are quite a stunner We take you on a tour of the cityrsquos places and monuments that were once pivotal establishments during a time when Mumbai found itself in the midst of a warSewri CemeteryEstablished in 1864 by Arthur Crawford the first municipal commissioner of lsquoBombayrsquo this cemetery once held the remains of over 2000 soldiers from both World Wars While most graves were exhumed and relocated to Kirkee War Cemetery in Pune one soldier from the Womenrsquos Auxiliary Corps India still rests hereGateway of IndiaA birdrsquos eye view of the Gateway of India and the Apollo Bandar FILE PICATUL KAMBLENow a quintessential tourist spot the Gateway of India was once a significant landmark during the Second World War It served as a departure point for both British and Indian troops heading to battlefronts across the world Soldiers who were fighting in the Western theatres like North Africa Europe left for the frontlines from hereChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus CSMT Then known as Victoria Terminus CSMT was a vital railway hub for transporting troops war supplies and equipment from the western coast to eastern India The latter bore a biting brunt of the Second World war especially the northeast The railway stationrsquos strategic importance was heightened due to its role in the logistics network supporting the British war effort in India and Southeast Asia Mumbai was also a major recruitment centre for the British Indian Army Many soldiers from here and surrounding regions were sent to fight in northeast India and Southeast Asia from CSMTMadh IslandLifeguards keep a watch at Madh Island The place was once under the threat of both sea and air raids FILE PICSHADAB KHANAs the Second World War raged the Japanese captured Singapore on February 15 1942 followed by Rangoon Yangon on March 7 The threat of an invasion of India was real now with Japanrsquos bombers flying over Indiarsquos east coast and its army setting foot on Indian soil On the west coast Mumbai faced the risk of invasion by both sea and air The city saw air raid warnings blackouts and the construction of bunkers due to the threat of air raids As chance would have it Mumbai was not bombed Dr RaneKothare tells one such place where the British dug shelters was the Madh Island Nearly three decades later during the IndoPak war this area again faced the threat of aerial attacks from Pakistan and similar air raid drills were conducted in Madh in 1971Asiatic SocietyThe area was a citadel of the British during the Second World War as it was an administrative centreThis was one of the most heavily guarded areas of Mumbai then as a government mint was located here The Indian Government Mint is still located here Famous for its colonial architecture Fort was a hub of activity during the wars housing several British administrative offices explains Dr RaneKothare During the Second World War the logistics intelligence communications and operations of the British Indian Army were handled from Fort area in Mumbai apart from other presidency cities like Madras Chennai and Calcutta Kolkata Dr RaneKothare told us there are still barracks in the Fort area from the warera lying in utter neglectVictoria DocksA British Era painting of the Victoria DocksThe docks are now a calm spot in Mazgaon But one of the most significant wartime events in Mumbai occurred here The ldquoBombay Dock Explosionrdquo on April 14 1944 blew up the entire dock Sources say the blast was so loud that it was heard till the suburbs of Santa Cruz The British freight SS Fort Stikine carrying a mixed cargo including gold ammunition and cotton bales caught fire and exploded at the Victoria Dock The explosion caused massive damage killed around 800 people and left over 2000 people injured The blast was so powerful that it shattered windows up to 12 km away and the fire raged for two daysRoyal Bombay Yacht Club Byculla Club and Taj HotelTaj Mahal Palace was a hub for the British during the wars FILE PICSHADAB KHANDuring World War II the Royal Bombay Yacht Club was a recreational hub for British officers The Byculla Club once a prestigious social spot had already served in a different capacity as a military hospital during The Great War By the Second World War ther Byculla Club was restored to its original glory Today the state transport depot occupies the site of the latter club The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel too was requisitioned by the British authorities It was used to accommodate officers and dignitaries During The Great War it was turned into a 600bed hospital for wounded soldiers