Bhandup’s Transformation: From a Historical Neighbourhood to Mumbai’s Modern Hub

By Lodha

Mumbai is a melting pot of different cultures, religions, languages, and ways of living. However, from antiquity to today, the city has a long and storied past. Out of all its areas, Bhandup is one of the oldest. The locality has been around for centuries and has shape shifted as the city has evolved. Here is a brief background on Bhandup that is a testament to the area’s resilience and value:

Ancient Origins:

It is difficult to picture any modern suburb existing hundreds of years ago, but such is the history of Bhandup. The secret of Bhandup’s past lies in its name itself. The name ‘Bhandup’ originates from the Sanskrit word ‘Bhandupeshwar’, which is also a title for Lord Shiva. Bhandup is deeply woven into the area’s spiritual life as home to the Bhandupeshwar Temple, an ancient place of worship dedicated to Lord Shiva. With its name and association with the temple, it is safe to say that Bhandup was a demarcated area since ancient times, long before Mumbai came to be known as it is today.

Colonial Era:

We can time travel to the 16th century and see various parts of Mumbai, including Bhandup, under Portuguese rule. A few years later, Mumbai, or as it was then known, Bombay, was colonised by the British. The Portuguese traded the city as part of Catherine of Braganza’s dowry when she was wed to Charles II of England in 1661. Under British rule, Bhandup was transformed from a largely agrarian area to an industrial hub. Not only did the ownership of Bhandup change hands, but the structure of the area and its function in society were also altered over the course of time.

Industrial Age:

Bhandup also played a key role in the industrial development of Mumbai in the early 19th century. The area gained prominence as it became home to Asia's first water filtration plant. Known as the Bhandup Waterworks, this plant was responsible for carrying clean water to most of Mumbai and its burgeoning population. By the 20th century, Bhandup had become an industrial hub and was peppered with an array of mills and factories that gave Mumbai the title of a ‘manufacturing city’.

Post-Independence:

After India gained independence, Bhandup underwent another transformation. Keeping with the times, the suburb began to urbanise. Bhandup was home to flourishing industries, especially textile mills and robust workers’ colonies. Over time, Bhandup’s industrial zones shrank, and the area morphed into a residential area. New projects in Bhandup became homes to millions, who called Mumbai their residence.

Current Era:

Today, Bhandup is a mix of residential complexes and commercial and industrial zones. The area is strategically located on the central line and close to business hubs like Powai and Thane. Its proximity to the rest of the city and Mumbai’s thriving commercial zones have been the cause of rapid urban development in the area. However, the presence of the Bhandupeshwar Kund, a historic tank near Lord Shiva’s temple, is a signifier of the past and continues to anchor the area in its rich tradition.

Over time, Bhandup has undergone many changes and adapted to whatever the city needed. Its presence over centuries is an indicator of its value as a location. If you want to invest in a flat in Bhandup, look no further than Lodha. Lodha Corinthia, an upcoming project in Bhandup, allows you to enjoy everything the area offers. Lodha Corinthia, a 7-acre estate featuring spacious apartments and modern amenities, is a new residential development in Bhandup you cannot miss out on.

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