General Information about Mumbai

Bombay Natural History Society
The Bombay Natural History Society was founded in 1883 for the purpose of exchanging notes and observations on natural history and exhibiting interesting specimens. Today it is the largest non-governmental organisation (NGO) in the subcontinent engaged in the conservation of nature and natural resources, education and research in natural history, with members in over 30 countries. The Society's guiding principle has always been that conservation must be based on scientific research-a tradition exemplified by its late president, Dr. Salim Ali.

Crawford Market
Rechristened as Mahatma Phule Market, it was built in 1871 by William Emerson, the bas-reliefs, at a height, adorning the facade, were designed by J.L.Kipling at the School of Art, a stone's throw away. It is the largest wholesale fruit market in the country and a visit there can be a 'fruitful' experience, especially during the mango season. But sadly, most of the vegetable & fruits are moving to New Mumbai's Wholesale Market.

Essel World
Essel World, the first and foremost amusement park is located on Gorai Island on 64 acres of green lands. It offers thrilling and scintillating rides and games. Essel World offers over 40 exciting rides, games, and attractions. The Water Kingdom is said to be the largest of its kind in Asia. This international-style theme park and amusement centre situated close to Gorai Beach is perfect for a one-day holiday. Special ferries get you across to the park and the entrance fee normally takes care of a fixed number of rides, which include the standard roller coaster and adventure themes, plus a water world section where kids can literally run amok. Summer is usually crowded, but the place also offers low budget monsoon packages and special deals on weekends.

Come to Essel World, where the fun never sets. Located away from the clamorous city life, this park is a refreshing getaway from the mundane to the magical. It is an unmatched leisure destination, offering enthralling attractions to the entire family. Recharge your emotions

Film City
Mockingly called Bollywood by locals and cynics, Film City clings to the outskirts of the National Park, and is practically overrun by assorted stars and starlets -- the demi gods and goddesses of Modern India. Don't snigger. Bollywood churns out over 900 films every year, all packed with those mandatory elements of song, dance, melodrama, violence and erotica that Indian audiences love. Which is probably why Film City sets are heavily booked around the year. They are closed to visitors, but special permissions can always be "obtained" to check out the action

This 26 metres high stone archway is the first landmark of Bombay a visitor sees when arriving by ship. Designed by Writtet in the 16th century Gujarat style, it was built to commen/morate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Indfia in 1911.

This crypto-Moresque archway welcomed numerous viceroys, governors and top civil servants as they disembarked by launch from their p&O steamers. An equestrain staue of Chhatrapatin Shivaji and statue of Swami Vivekhanda have been installed here

The Bombay High Court
The Bombay High Court was inaugurated on 14th August ,1862.  The High Court had an Original as well as an Appellate Jurisdiction the former derived from the Supreme Court, and the latter from the Sudder Diwani and Sudder Foujdari Adalats, which were merged in the High Court.  With the establishment of the High Court the Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code  and Code of Civil Procedure were enacted into law.

The Letter Patent of the Bombay High Court authorized 15 Judges, but it started with only 7. It is remarkable that, for about  60 years thereafter, the High Court managed to pull on with just 7 Judges, although with advancing years, the laws and the litigation both multiplied. There were no indications that this limited Bench was found inadequate to cope with the  work, till about 1919. With  the armistice at the termination of the First World War, there was sudden spurt of litigation in the City of Bombay.  The number of  Suites filed on Original Side, which during War had dwindled down to about 500 rose to about 7000, that the Prothonotary found it difficult to prepare daily boards for 3 Judges. It was only then  that an additional Judge was demanded and was grudgingly granted .   Bombay was lucky or unlucky in having at this crisis a Chief  Justice of exceptional caliber, Sir Norman Mcleod, who instead of multiplying  Judges preferred to massacre suits and appeals.

The Charter of the High Court also made it the supreme and final court of appeal in all cases, civil and criminal, decided by inferior courts, except such as possessed the requisite importance, pecuniary or legal, demanding a further appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Ever since the Constitution of the Privy Council as the Court of ultimate appeal from British India by a Statuette of 1833, the bulk of its business was from Indian appeals; so much so that for Indian appeals, a Judge or a lawyer of adequate Indian experience had later to be associated with the Committee.  The Bombay High Court has been represented on the Judicial Committee by three distinguished judges, and four eminent counsel; Sir Richard Couch, Sir Lawrence Jenkins and Sir John Beaumont, all Chief Justices.

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