10 Indian Cities That Have Been Renamed

Gurgaon to Gurugram (2016)

The corporate hub returns to its ancient roots, honoring Dronacharya. Guru-gram reflects its history as a gift to the teacher.

Bangalore to Bengaluru (2006)

Ancient Bengaluru resurfaces, echoing a 9th-century legend from the Western Ganga Dynasty.

Mysore to Mysuru (2014)

Archaic city reclaims its name, shedding the demon kings legacy and embracing its connection to Goddess Chamundeshwari.

Madras to Chennai (1996)

Colonial Madras gives way to Chennai, a name with multiple local interpretations, from mother to small lagoon.

Bombay to Mumbai (1996)

Financial capital shakes off British influence, adopting Mumbai, derived from the Marathi Maha Amba (great mother).

Cochin to Kochi (1996)

Embracing its Malayalam roots, Cochin evolves to the simpler Kochi, meaning small lagoon.

Calcutta to Kolkata (2001)

Colonial Calcutta transforms into Kolkata, echoing the Bengali Kolikata, a village from colonial times.

Pondicherry to Puducherry (2006)

French charm meets Indian heritage as Pondicherry becomes Puducherry, meaning new town.

Trivandrum to Thiruvananthapuram (1991)

Keralas capital sheds its colonial past, adopting Thiruvananthapuram, the city of Lord Anantha, the presiding deity at the Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

Mangalore to Mangaluru (2014)

Karnatakas coastal city embraces its ancient link to the deity Mangaldevi, transitioning from Mangalore to Mangaluru.