The entertainment and commercial hub of India, Mumbai is the city of dreams. It has witnessed some of the most important historical events which laid down the foundations for our present. For decades now, it has been a melting point of various cultures, and its present-day cosmopolitan nature can be attributed to its fascinating past.

In 1612, a battle was fought between the British and the Portuguese at Surat for the possession of Bombay, which ended the Portuguese monopoly over trade in India.

Over a period of time, the English merchants gained control of the trade, and the Portuguese control started to diminish. However in 1661, in one of the most interesting events, Mumbai changed hands as it was presented to King Charles II as part of the dowry, when he married Princess Catherine de Braganza of Portugal.

Now who wouldn't be happy to receive an entire city in dowry? But for Charles II, it was too much of a hassle! He did not want the trouble of ruling these islands.

And so, to make life easier, he rented out the whole of Mumbai to the East India Company, only for £10 in gold a year!

And thereafter, the city came under the control of the British.