India, Oct. 30 -- Bandra, known for its seaside promenades, historic churches, bustling markets and celebrity homes, has a history that stretches back centuries. Before becoming one of Mumbai's best-known suburbs, it was a settlement of fishing villages on Salsette Island. Its name, too, has roots that reflect the area's layered past.

The exact origin of the name Bandra remains uncertain, but one widely cited explanation traces it to the Persian word 'bandar' or 'bunder', meaning a port or harbour. Another possible connection is the Marathi word 'vandre', which means monkey or ape. It is believed that the area was once heavily populated by monkeys living around Pali Hill and Mount Mary Hill, hence the name Vandre.

According to renowned ...