There are many historical, cultural, business, and beautiful cities in India. Most of these cities have come to be known by well-known nicknames which tell the character of those cities, their heritage, or their strengths. This article will cover the cities in India, their popular nicknames, and some interesting facts that make those nicknames come alive.
Why Do Cities Get Nicknames?
City nicknames serve many purposes:
- They represent a city’s image (scenery, culture, industry).
- Their presence renders the place a tourist destination.
- They have historical or economic significance.
- They develop civic pride and foster recognition.
Famous Indian Cities & Their Nicknames
- Jaipur – The Pink City
- Bengaluru (Bangalore) – Silicon Valley of India / Garden City
- Mumbai – City of Dreams / Maximum City
- Kolkata – The City of Joy
- Hyderabad – City of Pearls / Cyberabad
- Ahmedabad – The Manchester of India
- Udaipur – City of Lakes / Venice of the East
- Jodhpur – Blue City / Sun City
- Jamshedpur – Steel City
- Surat – Diamond City
The old city of Jaipur was painted in terra cotta pink in 1876 to receive Prince Albert Edward. Today the pink colour is still preserved because a city law stipulates that buildings be kept pink, which is an indication of hospitality.
Bengaluru is the Indian technology centre, thus it is not a big wonder that there are numerous start-ups and IT firms. It is also the Garden City because it has beautiful parks like Cubbon Park and Lalbagh Botanical Garden.
Mumbai also has dreamers of every corner of India who wish to make it through business, entertainment, and media. The nickname City of Dreams indicates its dynamic, ambitious, and rapid lifestyle.
The multicultural, literary and artistic nature of Kolkata has earned it this name. Its spiritual and creative soul is evident in great festivities like Durga Puja.
Its ancient pearl trade earned Hyderabad the name “City of Pearls,” while its modern IT hub, HITEC City, has given rise to the nickname “Cyberabad.”
British rule saw the city become a textile centre just like in Manchester in England. The first UNESCO World Heritage City in India is also Ahmedabad (2017).
Udaipur’s serene lakes and palaces give it a Venetian charm. It is one of the most romantic places in India, with famous lakes such as Pichola and Fateh Sagar.
Houses of Jodhpur are painted with blue colour which is claimed to keep the house cool as well as keep away insects. It is also called the Sun City due to the year round bright sunshine.
Jamshedpur is the first planned industrial city in India and the home town to Tata Steel, one of the largest steel mills in the world, established by Jamsetji Tata.
The world diamond cutting and polishing center is located in Surat, approximately 90-95% of the world diamonds are cut and polished in Surat, making it the Diamond City.
Other Interesting City Nicknames
- Bhopal – City of Lakes
- Coimbatore – Manchester of South India
- Lucknow – City of Nawabs
- Amritsar – Golden City
- Kochi – Queen of the Arabian Sea
- Chandigarh – City Beautiful
- Varanasi – City of Temples
- Pune – Oxford of the East
Interesting Facts About Indian Cities
- Jaipur’s pink hue is still protected by city regulations.
- Bengaluru also exports the largest amount of software in India.
- Mumbai is the home to the largest film industry in the world, Bollywood.
- Kolkata was the former British Indian capital until 1911.
- Hyderabad is one of the world’s major pearl trading centres.
- The first UNESCO World Heritage City in India is Ahmedabad.
- The complex of City Palace in Udaipur is located on the bank of Lake Pichola.
- Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur is one of the largest Indian forts.
- Surat is always one of the cleanest cities in India.
Why These Nicknames Matter
City nicknames represent identity, pride and heritage. They emphasise something unique about cities: industries or history or geography. Nicknames aid travellers in remembering a place, provide students with a sense of the wonderful diversification of India.
In the Pink City to the City of Joy, they all have a story behind them. Investigating such nicknames is a trip to the colourful world of Indian culture, geography, and tradition.
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