Situating Bombay: Colonial Politics, Trade Transformations, and the Making of Urban Space Through the Lens of 18th Century Voyager Alexander Hamilton

This study examines Bombay’s 18th-century transformation through Alexander Hamilton’s accounts, challenging narratives that attribute its rise solely to geography. Instead, it highlights the role of British colonial policies, maritime trade networks, and indigenous agency in shaping the city’s urban and economic landscape. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the research explores colonial governance, trade monopolies, and infrastructural developments that redefined Bombay as a strategic imperial hub. By critically reassessing Hamilton’s writings alongside economic and visual records, this study offers a nuanced perspective on Bombay’s evolution under colonial rule.