Colaba is one of the four peninsulas of Mumbai, the other three being Worli, Bandra, and Malabar Hill. The official PIN Code of Colaba is 400005. The Colaba Sub Post Office comes under Mumbai City South Division of Maharashtra Postal Circle. There are three post offices under PIN Code 400005 — Asvini, Colaba, and Colaba Bazar — with Colaba S.O having delivery status while Asvini and Colaba Bazar are non-delivery offices.
Today, Colaba blends colonial-era architecture with modern residential and commercial districts, featuring prominent landmarks such as the Gateway of India arch and the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, alongside the vibrant Colaba Causeway street market renowned for bargains in clothing, jewelry, and antiques. This complete guide covers all the important details about Colaba PIN Code, post office information, history, areas covered, transport connectivity, and everything you need to know about PIN Code 400005.
Colaba PIN Code 400005 – Quick Details
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| PIN Code | 400005 |
| Area Name | Colaba |
| Post Office Name | Colaba Sub Post Office (S.O) |
| Other Post Offices | Asvini S.O, Colaba Bazar S.O |
| Post Office Type | Sub Post Office (S.O) |
| Delivery Status | ✅ Delivery Available |
| District | Mumbai |
| State | Maharashtra |
| Postal Taluk | Mumbai |
| Postal Division | Mumbai City South Division |
| Postal Region | Mumbai Region |
| Postal Circle | Maharashtra |
| STD Code | 022 |
| Civic Body | Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) |
| Assembly Constituency | Colaba |
| Parliament Constituency | Mumbai South |
| Nearest Railway Station | Churchgate Railway Station |
| Country | India |
History of Colaba
. The history of Colaba is among the most layered and fascinating in all of Mumbai — spanning ancient fishing communities, Portuguese colonization, British military cantonment, and the construction of some of India’s most iconic landmarks. Colaba represents the very birthplace of modern Mumbai.
Ancient Origins — The Koli Fishing Community
The name Colaba comes from Kolabhat, a word in the language of Kolis, the indigenous inhabitants of the islands, before the arrival of Portuguese. These islands were inhabited by the indigenous Koli fisherfolk, from whom the name “Colaba” derives, stemming from “Kolabhat” meaning the landed estate of the Kolis.
The Koli clans selling their wares at the fish market are believed to descend from the fishermen who settled the islands during the Stone Age. This makes Colaba one of the most ancient continuously inhabited sites in all of Mumbai, with human settlement dating back thousands of years before any colonial power arrived.
Two Islands — Colaba and Little Colaba
The area that is now Colaba was originally a region consisting of two islands: Colaba and Little Colaba (or Old Woman’s Island). The island of Colaba was one of the Seven islands of Bombay ruled by the Portuguese.
The Portuguese Era
During the Portuguese colonial period, Colaba and Little Colaba formed part of the cluster of seven islands under Portuguese control. Colaba was initially a part of the cluster of Islands that the Portuguese gifted to Charles II in his marriage. This famous dowry — given as part of the marriage between Charles II of England and the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza in 1661 — transferred control of the Bombay islands to the English Crown, which subsequently leased them to the British East India Company.
British East India Company Takeover
It was soon taken over by the British East India Company in 1668. The strategic harbor position of Colaba made it invaluable to British colonial and military interests. By the beginning of the nineteenth century, the island of Colaba, the southern tip of the city, had already been declared a cantonment area in 1796, barring all construction by the civilian population. This military cantonment status shaped the entire character of southern Colaba for the next two centuries.
The Colaba Causeway — Connecting the Islands
One of the most important infrastructure projects in Colaba’s history was the construction of the Colaba Causeway. In the 19th century, Colaba was linked to the northern parts of Mumbai via the Colaba Causeway, constructed between 1830 and 1838 to provide a safer land route over tidal waters previously traversed by boats, facilitating expansion of the British colonial settlement.
The Causeway was constructed by the British East India Company, during the tenure of Sir Robert Grant as the governor of Bombay (1835-1838), and its construction completed in 1838, which used the Old Woman’s Island as part of it; with this the last two islands of Colaba and Old Woman’s Island got connected with the mainland of Bombay.
Until 1839, Colaba was accessible only during the low tide, though soon it saw rapid development in the area, especially after the construction of the Cotton Exchange at Cotton Green in 1844. This Causeway — now officially known as Shahid Bhagat Singh Road — remains one of Mumbai’s most famous and bustling commercial streets to this day.
The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel — 1903
One of Colaba’s most iconic landmarks is the magnificent Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. The Taj Mahal Palace is a heritage, five-star, luxury hotel in the Colaba area of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, situated next to the Gateway of India. It opened on 16 December 1903. This grand hotel, built by Indian industrialist Jamsetji Tata, was constructed in response to racial discrimination Tata faced at other European-run hotels in Bombay, and it remains one of the world’s most prestigious luxury hotels today.
The Gateway of India — 1924
Perhaps the single most recognizable landmark not just in Colaba but in all of India is the Gateway of India. The foundation of the monument was laid on 31st March 1911, George Wittet’s design was sanctioned in 1914, and the construction was completed in 1924. The arch was envisioned as the ‘grand entrance’ to India, built to commemorate King George V and Queen Mary’s arrival.
Ironically, decades later, it became the place where the very last British troops marched out in 1948, going from being a symbol of their entry to being the site of their final exit. This dramatic historical bookending — from colonial arrival to colonial departure — makes the Gateway of India one of the most symbolically powerful monuments in modern Indian history.
Post-Independence and Modern History
After India’s independence in 1947, Colaba transitioned from a British military and administrative zone into a vibrant civilian neighborhood. The southern tip is occupied by a military cantonment, including the large Navy Nagar layout built on reclaimed land. In the midst of Navy Nagar lies the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), one of India’s leading scientific institutions.
A tragic chapter in Colaba’s recent history occurred in 2008. On 26 November 2008, terrorist strikes occurred at various places in Colaba, notably the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Leopold Café and Mumbai Chabad House.
️ About Colaba Today
The Gateway of India, the art deco style Regal theatre, the cafes (Café Mondegar, Royal and Leopold Cafe), and the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower hotel, Bademiya Restaurant and Bagdadi restaurant, as well as a number of modern pubs, restaurants and clubs all add to the atmosphere.
Colaba’s economy centers on service industries, particularly tourism and hospitality, bolstered by its coastal location and historical landmarks that draw international visitors. Today, Colaba is one of Mumbai’s most visited tourist destinations and one of the city’s most premium residential and commercial addresses.