Basket Mart & Tram In Madras, 1900 Postcard
A 1900 postcard of the Basket Mart and a tram passing by in British Era Madras (Chennai). Interestingly one of the earliest electric trams of the city is partially visible on the left side near the middle. The Madras Tramway system began with horse-drawn trams in 1874. By 1895 it was electrified the first to do so in India at that time.
An impressive 24 km of track and nearly 100 cars were in use at the time of its closure in 1953. The tramway stopped operations believed to be because of mishandling and labour problems, leading to bankruptcy. Although this once British era legacy still evokes charm and strong memories. The basket marts were sporadically located in and around the city for ages. These exclusive markets were easy to find until the 1970s or 1980s but slowly disappeared except perhaps for small pockets here and there.
Read more on Remembering the Madras Tram. See post- 1940 Photo Madras Mount Road Electric Tram.
Did you know- since the jittery Madras citizens were not used to trams they were offered free rides to get over their fear in the initial days.
From the collection- 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal On Paper Lovers (#5)., Rare Nilgiri Mountain Railway Steam Locomotive Blueprint., Canonor or Kannur – Antique Hand Colored Plan 1572., Inauguration Of Parliament Building Delhi – Old Photo 1927
