Why Indore Is Known As Mini Mumbai?


Indore is a bustling city. Once the capital of Holkars, today, it serves as the commercial capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is a ‘smart city’ boasting of a rich past. What is particularly fascinating about this city is its uncanny resemblance to Mumbai – the land of dreams and the financial capital of India. So striking are the similarities between the two cities that Indore is often called ‘Mini Mumbai’.

From having an air of cosmopolitanism to similar food habits owing to their geographical proximity – there’s a lot that is common between Mumbai and Indore. Like Mumbai, Indore is also known for its sheer vibrancy. Like Mumbai, Indore was also embroiled in the search of power by the Marathas. And like Mumbai, Indore has also become the center for economic activities. But how did Indore become so similar to Mumbai vis-à-vis their economic activities?

One reason for this is their similar climatic conditions. Warm humid climate with an ample amount of rainy days and the black regar soil of the Deccan peninsula acted as a catalyst for the blooming of cotton textile industries. The fact that Mumbai is a major port and hence an export centre also acted as a catalyst for this industry. The money generated by this activity gave impetus to the other industries and the base for Indore becoming a metropolitan like Mumbai was set. However, that’s not all!

During the 1970s-1980s, Mumbai was falling under the clutches of trade unionism. Unfortunately, these mafias found support among the political clusters of Mumbai owing to the politics of vote bank. Mumbai began losing business to Indore, which was idyllic for the churning of cotton mills; relatively free from trade unionism and the criminalization of politics, no language barriers, having basic infrastructure and connectivity. Thus, it soon became a ready alternative to Mumbai; or rather another Mumbai in the making, a ‘Mini Mumbai’.