Earliest View of Bowring Institute Bangalore, 1890

This rare 1890 photo postcard is one of the earliest views of Bowring Institute, a club in Bangalore. A premium members-only club that was established in 1868, and is still actively functioning. Located at the heart of the city on St Marks Road with a property of 12 acres. This rare view shows the club in its initial unmodified state.

Although this building would undergo many modifications later. See another post on Bowring Institute that shows a much later view of the club. Notice the additional left and right side rooms added to the original building. Functioning from a rented building when the club first began in 1868. At that time it was called “Literary & Scientific Institute.” LB Bowring, the then chief commissioner of Mysore, and Coorg was the first president.

Later the club would honor him by renaming it after him. Major General Rowlands, commander of the Mysore Division, provided the land at St Mark’s Square, now St Mark’s Road. The construction of the building began earnestly despite encountering hiccups quite often. Finally, the club building opened in 1888 with many facilities for recreation including dining for its members. Because of its historical importance, today it is a “State Protected Monument.” Click on the photo for better view.