Aghan Church Colaba British Era Bombay, 1900 Postcard

Aghan Church Colaba British Era Bombay, 1900 Postcard

An interesting 1900 photo postcard of the Afghan Church at Coloba during the British era in Bombay (Mumbai). The church with its imposing tall spire is located in the cantonment area of Colaba. The Cantonment area catered to the British-era army and navy at the time. As a result, the church’s congregation consisted largely of British military personnel and their families.

This can be seen in the close-up photo with some of them standing around. Two policemen are apparently on duty. The Afghan Church is officially known as the Church of St John the Evangelist. Built in around 1858 by the British of Bombay City to commemorate the dead of the Afghan Wars. Bombay suffered heavy losses in the wars since the city provided people and provisions for the army.

Sir William Hay MacNaghten, who was appointed the governor of Bombay, died on the war front before taking up his post. The church was a military base and a popular venue for marriages as well. As a result, it was also called the Garrison Church and Bride’s church. Today the Afghan Church is part of Navy Nagar in Colaba.

Did you know – the government gave the piece of land for setting up the church so that the church’s tall steeple would serve as a landmark for guiding ships to the harbour. 

Past posts – Vintage Raja Ravi Varma “Laxmi” Oleograph., Esplanade & Fort St George British Era Madras, 1872 Photo., Bombing of Madras By Emden WW1 – Old Print 1914., Vintage Car Hupmobile In Coonoor, Postcard 1927.