Do we need a Foundation Day?

The angel atop the BMC building signifies the city’s Urbs Prima in Indis tag. PIC COURTESY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

For a change it wasn't Delhi, our favourite punching bag, that gave us serious FOMO, but Chennai. Year after year, the city has been putting up a show, around August 22, to recognise their foundation day. Celebrations continue for an entire week with a packed itinerary that is a mélange of traditional and modern. And it's gotten bigger and better with each passing year. This year, backed by the state's tourism department, their official website (themadrasday.in) reveals a mix, from art exhibitions and book releases, to quiz contests and sporting competitions, walks, and music concerts.

Nearly a decade ago, this columnist had caught a few sessions as part of its weeklong programming. The air was filled with fervour and nostalgic revelry. At the heart of it was reminding its residents of its origins, and why August 22, 1639, remains an important date. We loved the education-meets-entertainment theme that drew in crowds across age groups. Records reveal that this was the date when a small patch of land where Fort St George stands, came into the spotlight. A deal was struck by Francis Day, his ‘dubash' (commercial agent) Beri Thimmappa and their superior Andrew Cogan, on behalf of the East India Company with the native Nayak rulers of the region. Settlements grew around the Fort, and over time, Madras emerged as the East India Company's and later, the Crown's prime colonial outpost along the Bay of Bengal.

The official poster announcing this year's Madras Day celebrations. PIC COURTESY/Tamil Nadu Tourism

It got us thinking about the scope if Mumbai also had its own date with history. If one were to follow a similar trajectory, the first date that comes to mind is June 23, 1661. It was when the famous marriage treaty was signed where "the Port and Island of Bombay in the East Indies with all its rights, profits, territories and appurtenances whatever thereunto belonging,..." became part of the dowry that came into play from the marriage of King Charles II of England with Catherine of Braganza, the sister of Portuguese ruler Afonso VI.

This was more of a tactical strategy to keep other European colonists like the Dutch at bay; far from a warm wedding-like gesture! The British were initially unhappy with the acquisition, but later realised that with Surat, their western command being constantly plundered by the Marathas, and Bombay's geographical advantage as an island cluster away from the mainland, with a natural harbour, made it pragmatic to shift operations here. Thus were sown the seeds that led to the rise of Bombay, which the Crown proudly gave the title Urbs Prima in Indis (Latin: The First City of India).

Another possible date to consider could be May 1, 1960, when the state of Maharashtra was born, and Bombay became its capital. On this date, the Bombay Reorganisation Act came into effect, creating Maharashtra, following many protests and demonstrations in support of the new state. The Act led to the creation of two new states from the erstwhile Bombay State - Maharashtra, for Marathi-speakers, and Gujarat, for Gujarati-speakers.

These are two suggestions. I am pretty sure that several other dates fall into contention, rolling back to medieval, and even ancient times, wherever accurate records lead one to. Needless to say, it makes for a delicious possibility. Of course, these are merely suggestions, but at the soul of this idea, lies the need to rekindle our love affair with Mumbai/Bombay, and use such dates as opportunities and platforms to showcase its unique historicity, culture and cosmopolitanism, make the common Mumbaikar aware, and eventually, instill pride for their home city.

We're hopeful that this idea finds takers among the city's caretakers and custodians. Imagine a Mumbai-themed weeklong festival that resuscitates its OG tag as Urbs Prima in Indis!

mid-day's Features Editor Fiona Fernandez relishes the city's sights, sounds, smells and stones...wherever the ink and the inclination takes her. She tweets @bombayana
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