Introduction and Map

This map, titled “Bombay – The Gateway of India,” was produced by the Government in 1958. More specifically, it was produced by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, for the Ministry of Transport and Communications. It follows that this map was certainly created for visitors to the city. This is confirmed by the key in the bottom right of the map, which explains the use of nine small icons, including icons for hotels, travel agencies, and money exchangers. The map is made in English, the language of their colonisers, but also one of the official languages of India at the time, more importantly the official language understandable to western visitors. This map is a tool for portraying Bombay to a western audience, for whomever was visiting Bombay at the time. The inclusion of items such as the “Government of India, Tax Office” as well as shipping and air companies suggests that this map is not intended only for tourists, but also western expats who have come to work and conduct business. This map reveals which elements of Bombay’s urban fabric the Indian Government hoped to highlight to western tourists – evidence of Bombay’s colonial legacy, examples of business opportunity in Bombay, and an image of polish and tidiness. Through these elements, the cartographer concretises Bombay’s identity as the Gateway of India.