Apollo Bunder Site of The Gateway of India Bombay, 1880 Photo
A 1880 photograph of Apollo Bunder the future site of the Gateway of India in Bombay (Mumbai). The Portuguese were the first European colonists of the Bombay islands from around 1534 to 1661. Many may know that Bombay once comprised of a group of seven islands. In 1661, the islands were gifted to King Charles II of England as part of a dowry on his marriage to their Princess Catherine.
The King, in need of funds, leased the islands to the East India Company, which had a settlement at Surat. The reclamation to unite the islands commenced in 1715 by the British, when the closing of the great breach began between the islands of Bombay and Worli. The completion of uniting the seven islands was almost over by the 1840s. The Apollo Bunder at the time was a fishing boat landing jetty.
It also doubled up as an open fish market. Later, it was converted into the principal landing area for passengers arriving from abroad. This was till the nearby port was completed to accept passenger ships by 1920. A Japanese-style pavilion can be seen in the background. Also visible is a large shed-like structure on its right, not entirely sure of its exact use. Horse-drawn carriages are lined up just before the shed, apparently waiting for potential customers from a ship. Click on the image to enlarge.
Read also Mumbai Port Trust.
Did you know – that the Portuguese were the likely creators of the Alphonso mango by the grafting technique.
Past posts – 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#15)., Madras High Court – Old Postcard 1900., King George Lays Foundation Stone Mumbai – Old Print 1905., Train At A Railway Platform British India – Old Photo 1914.
