Mumbai Fables by Gyan Prakash

Mumbai Fables by Gyan Prakash is a narrative on the history of the much exploited metropolis of Mumbai. It is an informative read that throws light on the events that have shaped Mumbai from the scattered seven islands that it once was to the throbbing chaos of human life and struggle it today has become. 

The language of the book  gives it a scientific and text book like feel making some parts cumbersome and tedious to get through. It could well be that the writer has deliberately done so to highlight the factual and researched nature of the book. 

Having said that the book does not reveal much of what was already not out there in a very large public domain. 


However for the uninitiated and especially those who inhabit the city it is a matter of great necessity to be aware of the life this city has lived. From 1408 when Vasco Da Gama first came here to the Portuguese rule to Mumbai being gifted by Portuguese to the British to the post colonial times from the leftist textile-mill-age to Bal Thakeray's- Saffron Sena rage!... its like leafing through the scars and stains the rulers of Mumbai have given her. 

I liked it only for the information on Mumbai it refreshed in me... the same however can be done on wikipedia too!