The unique feature of any Metropolitan City is its migrant people who bring their Cultural Identity to the city. Mumbai Metropolitan Region has experienced numerous such waves of migrations. First urban centre in the region was established somewhere around 2300 years ago during the Mauryan Period. First phase of Maritime trade in the Historical Period was the Indo-Roman trade, followed by the next phase of trade marked by the Arabs.There were many ports in Mumbai region like Sopara, Kalyan, Elephanta, Chaul, Ghodbandar, Thane, etc where Arab traders arrived for trade, settled and participated in regional administration, rising to the ranks of feudal chiefs under the Rashtrakuta dynasty as well.These Arab traders & travellers who visited this region as a result of Maritime trade, have left behind their travelogues which throw light on the unique ways in which they have contributed to the Cultural Heritage of Mumbai. About the Speaker - Dr Suraj Pandit is Head, Department of Ancient Indian culture & Buddhist Studies at Sathaye College Mumbai.