Beyond their official names, many Indian cities are known by evocative nicknames that capture their unique character, history, or industry. These monikers, from ‘The Pink City’ to the ‘City of Dreams’, are more than just catchy phrases; they offer a glimpse into the soul of the city. This 2026 guide explores the fascinating stories behind the nicknames of famous Indian cities, providing a colourful map of India’s urban landscape. Understanding these titles enriches the experience of exploring these places, each a distinct entity within the broader framework of India’s states and capitals.
Quick Answer
Indian cities often have popular nicknames that reflect their cultural or historical significance. For example, Jaipur is called the ‘Pink City’ for its terracotta pink buildings. Mumbai is the ‘City of Dreams’ for being the heart of Bollywood and finance. Bengaluru is known as the ‘Garden City’ and ‘Silicon Valley of India’.
Famous City Nicknames and the Stories Behind Them
Each nickname has a story, a reason it has stuck in the public consciousness. Let’s journey across India to uncover the origins of some of the most well-known city titles.
Jaipur – The Pink City
Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is perhaps the most famously nicknamed city in India. It is universally known as the ‘Pink City’.
- Why is it called the Pink City? The story dates back to 1876, when Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II had the entire old city painted in a terracotta pink colour to welcome the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII. Pink was traditionally a colour of hospitality. The law to maintain the pink colour was passed in 1877 and is still enforced in the old city area, preserving its unique and charming aesthetic.
Mumbai – The City of Dreams
Mumbai, the financial capital of India, holds several titles, but ‘City of Dreams’ (Mayanagri) is the most fitting.
- Why is it called the City of Dreams? Mumbai is the heart of India’s booming entertainment industry, Bollywood. For decades, it has been the destination for aspiring actors, directors, writers, and musicians from all over the country, all hoping to make their dreams come true. Additionally, as India’s commercial hub, it attracts migrants seeking financial success and a better life.
- Other Nicknames: Financial Capital of India, Gateway of India.
Bengaluru (Bangalore) – Garden City & Silicon Valley of India
Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, holds two very different but equally accurate nicknames.
- Why is it called the Garden City? This name was earned due to its wide-open green spaces, public parks, and tree-lined streets, such as Lalbagh and Cubbon Park, which were established during the colonial era and maintained since. The city’s pleasant climate further supports lush greenery.
- Why is it called the Silicon Valley of India? Since the 1990s, Bengaluru has transformed into the nation’s leading information technology (IT) exporter. It is home to the headquarters of major Indian tech companies like Infosys and Wipro, and hosts numerous multinational IT corporations and startups, making it the epicentre of India’s tech boom.
Jodhpur – The Blue City
A counterpart to Jaipur’s pink, Jodhpur in Rajasthan is known as the ‘Blue City’.
- Why is it called the Blue City? When viewed from the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, the old city area reveals a sea of houses painted in a vivid blue. Historically, it is believed that Brahmins painted their houses blue to distinguish themselves. Another theory suggests that the blue colour, derived from indigo, helps keep the houses cool in the scorching desert heat and acts as a termite repellent.
Udaipur – The City of Lakes & Venice of the East
Another gem from Rajasthan, Udaipur is renowned for its stunning beauty.
- Why is it called the City of Lakes? Udaipur is home to a network of beautiful artificial lakes, including Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, and Udai Sagar Lake. These lakes, set against the backdrop of the Aravalli Hills, create a picturesque and romantic landscape.
- Why is it called the Venice of the East? The city’s serene lakes, grand palaces (like the Lake Palace situated in the middle of Lake Pichola), and intricate architecture evoke comparisons to the Italian city of Venice.
A Table of Indian Cities and Their Nicknames
Here is a comprehensive table listing more Indian cities and their popular nicknames, updated for 2026.
| City | State | Nickname(s) |
| Ahmedabad | Gujarat | Manchester of India, Boston of India |
| Kolkata | West Bengal | City of Joy, Cultural Capital of India |
| Chennai | Tamil Nadu | Detroit of Asia, Gateway of South India |
| Pune | Maharashtra | Oxford of the East, Queen of the Deccan |
| Surat | Gujarat | Diamond City of India |
| Nagpur | Maharashtra | Orange City |
| Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh | Spiritual Capital of India, City of Lights |
| Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | City of Nawabs |
| Hyderabad | Telangana | City of Pearls, City of Nizams |
| Kochi (Cochin) | Kerala | Queen of the Arabian Sea |
| Visakhapatnam | Andhra Pradesh | City of Destiny, Jewel of the East Coast |
| Coimbatore | Tamil Nadu | Manchester of South India |
| Madurai | Tamil Nadu | Athens of the East, City of Festivals |
| Jamshedpur | Jharkhand | Steel City of India, Tatanagar |
| Shillong | Meghalaya | Scotland of the East |
Nicknames Based on Industry and Economy
Many city nicknames are a direct reflection of their economic backbone. These titles often highlight a city’s contribution to the national economy and its specialized industries.
- Manchester of India (Ahmedabad): This name was given due to the city’s booming textile industry in the 19th and 20th centuries, which resembled that of Manchester in the UK, a key centre of the Industrial Revolution.
- Detroit of Asia (Chennai): Chennai is a major automobile manufacturing hub, home to factories for Ford, Hyundai, BMW, and many others, drawing a parallel with Detroit, the heart of the American auto industry.
- Diamond City of India (Surat): Over 90% of the world’s diamonds are cut and polished in Surat, making it the undisputed global centre for the diamond industry.
- Steel City of India (Jamshedpur): Founded by Jamsetji Tata, the city is home to the first private iron and steel company in India, Tata Steel. Its entire economy and identity are built around the steel industry.
These industrial hubs are critical to India’s growth, a journey that has been guided by policies like India’s Five-Year Plans, which aimed to foster industrial and agricultural development across the nation.
Nicknames Reflecting Culture and Heritage
Other nicknames celebrate a city’s rich cultural tapestry and historical legacy.
- City of Joy (Kolkata): Coined by French author Dominique Lapierre for his novel of the same name, this nickname perfectly captures the spirit of Kolkata. Despite its challenges, the city is known for its vibrant cultural life, intellectual heritage, and the warmth of its people.
- City of Nawabs (Lucknow): Lucknow was the capital of the Nawabs of Awadh, who were great patrons of art, music, dance, and cuisine. The city’s refined culture, etiquette (tehzeeb), and architecture still bear the indelible mark of its Nawabi past.
- Spiritual Capital of India (Varanasi): As one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Varanasi is a paramount holy city for Hindus. Its ghats along the river Ganga, ancient temples, and spiritual energy attract pilgrims from all over the globe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Jaipur called the Pink City?
Jaipur is called the ‘Pink City’ because its old city buildings were painted a terracotta pink in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales. This colour, associated with hospitality, was made a permanent feature by law, and the tradition continues to this day, giving the city its distinctive appearance.
Which city is known as the Silicon Valley of India and why?
Bengaluru (Bangalore) is known as the ‘Silicon Valley of India’. It earned this nickname because it is the nation’s largest IT hub, home to numerous domestic and international technology companies, software parks, and a thriving startup ecosystem, similar to the original Silicon Valley in California.
Why is Mumbai called the City of Dreams?
Mumbai is called the ‘City of Dreams’ because it is the centre of the Indian film industry (Bollywood) and the country’s financial capital. It attracts millions of people from across India who come with aspirations of achieving fame, success, and a better life.
Which city is known as the Blue City?
Jodhpur, in Rajasthan, is known as the ‘Blue City’. This is because many of the houses in its old city area are painted in a distinct shade of blue. This practice is believed to have been started by the Brahmin community to signify their social standing and to keep their homes cool.
What is the ‘Manchester of India’?
Ahmedabad in Gujarat is known as the ‘Manchester of India’. This nickname was given in the 19th century due to its flourishing cotton textile industry, which was comparable to the textile mills of Manchester, England, during the Industrial Revolution. Coimbatore is often called the ‘Manchester of South India’ for similar reasons.