Question

what led to the major expansions of Bombay population in mid 19th century​

Answer 1

Bombay became capital of Bombay Presidency in 1819, after the Maratha defeat in the Angelo-Maratha war. This led to its expansion.

As the trade of cotton and opium grew, large communities of traders and bankers, artisans and shopkeepers came to settle in Bombay.

The Establishment of textile mills led to fresh surge in migration. By 1921, there were 85 cottonmills with about 146,000 workers.

Maritime trade also attracted a large number of people to the city.

The railways also encouraged migration into city. As a result of above factors the population of Bombay increased from 644,405 in 1872 to nearly 1,500,000 in 1941.