Life In Bangalore Cantonment During The British Raj, 5 Photos 1910
Photographs from 1910 offer a fascinating view of life in Bangalore (Bengaluru) during the British Raj. Particularly, the bustling Cantonment district that developed alongside the native city from the early nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries. The images capture a world of broad tree-lined roads, elegant bungalows set amidst lush gardens, and public spaces where military officers and civilians mingled. One photograph shows a spacious colonial residence surrounded by tropical vegetation. Reflecting the garden-city character that earned Bangalore a reputation as one of the most pleasant stations in British India. Another street scene reveals a lively thoroughfare dotted with shops, pedestrians, and gas lighting infrastructure, illustrating the Cantonment’s market area under British administration.
Equally interesting are the photos of officers participating in cycle polo, a sport that enjoyed considerable popularity among military and civilian services personnel during the colonial era. Such recreational activities formed an integral part of social life in the Cantonment, where clubs, parade grounds, and sporting facilities thrived. The final image, depicting an ornate structure, probably a mausoleum or a monument with domes and decorative arches, highlights the diverse cultural and religious landscape that existed within Bangalore’s cosmopolitan environment. Together, these photographs preserve a remarkable visual record of colonial Bangalore. Click image to enlarge.
Did you know – Bangalore Cantonment and the old Pete (native city) were administered separately for many decades and effectively functioned as two towns side by side.
