In his groundbreaking work ‘Mumbai: A Million Islands,’ acclaimed journalist and founding editor of The Wire Sidharth Bhatia presents a penetrating examination of the social consequences of urban development in India’s financial capital. The book serves as both a historical document and contemporary critique, tracing Mumbai’s evolution from its origins as seven merged islands to its current status as a rapidly transforming metropolis.
Bhatia’s narrative reveals the hidden human toll beneath the glittering surface of Mumbai’s development boom. While skylines rise with luxury high-rises and gated communities, the author uncovers how working-class neighborhoods and traditional ecosystems face systematic erasure. Through meticulous journalism and empathetic storytelling, the work documents the displacement of fisherfolk, mill workers, and informal laborers whose contributions once formed the foundation of the city’s economy.
The book stands apart from previous romanticized portrayals of Mumbai by focusing on marginalized communities in areas like Behrampada, Dongri, and Mumbra. Bhatia conducts revealing interviews with residents facing spatial and social changes, capturing their determination to maintain dignity amid adversity. He particularly notes how mainstream media’s focus on glamorous development often overlooks these human stories of loss and displacement.
Addressing the accelerated pace of change over the past decade, Bhatia describes the transformation as ‘a hurricane sweeping everything away.’ The work raises critical questions about urban priorities, asking what truly defines a great city when the absence of whole communities goes unnoticed by privileged classes. The author concludes with Gandhi’s principle that a society’s moral measure lies in how it treats its poorest and most vulnerable members.
As coastal cities worldwide face climate pressures and growing inequality, Bhatia’s work offers a timely warning about unbalanced urban development. While technology has improved some government services, the fundamental issue of spatial justice remains largely unaddressed in Mumbai’s ongoing metamorphosis.