We have learned in our history classes about Bombay being a royal dowry given to the British King Charles II when he married Catherine of Braganza. The Anglo-Portuguese union was dated on 23rd June 1661 and the marriage took place on 31st May 1662. But the most significant date happens to be 27th March 1668. On this very day, 350 years ago, King Charles II declared the East India Company "the true and absolute Lords and Proprietors of the [Bombay] Port and Island... at the yearly rental of £10, payable to the Crown," as mentioned in the book Bombay written by Samuel T Sheppard.

King Charles gave away the territory happily and in return, he received a loan of £50,000 at 6% interest from the EIC. There was trouble in the Bombay territory because it being a port and there was constant conflict over dues with the Portuguese. Other historians also agree the significance of this day in the history is large and the credit goes to Gerald Aungier. He was the second governor appointed by the EIC and thought about the growth of the territory. It was him who started the first Anglican Church in Western India in two small rooms of the Bombay Castle. He also started the first court of law and the mint in Bombay castle. He also offered business incentives which attracted the Parsis, Gujrati Banias, Goans for trading. The harbour was developed during his governorship.

It was not as easy as just handing over the territory and managing it. The Britishers too took time to claim it because the Portuguese would not easily just lease the land. There were also disagreements over how much territory to be ceded. The original map also showed Salsette and Thana as a part of the Bombay territory. The Portuguese refused to give up on Mahim, Mazgaon, Parel, Worli, Sion, Dharavi and Wadala. But today remains important as The Royal Charter of 1668 took place handing over the presidency control to the Britishers.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 27, 2018 11:29 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).