British Cantonment Area Bangalore, 1880 Photo
An 1880 photo of the British Cantonment Area in Bangalore (Bengaluru). Viewed at the far back is the St Mary’s Church (now Basilica) that stands tall with its high steeple. In the center are rows of shops which was probably known as Broadway at that time. The scene was likely captured from the Russell Market’s clock tower. Cantonments were established by the British as military and civil services hub.
Most of them were based in cities, particularly where the concentration of the British troops was high. It was remarkably a self-contained city in a city. The Bangalore Cantonment (now Shivaji Nagar) was one of the largest in India during colonial rule. It contained railway station, hospitals, theaters, hotels, shops, residential areas, etc. The shopping complex was named Russell Market after T B Russell, Municipal Commissioner of Bangalore, it was opened to the public in 1933.
Read more History of Bangalore.
Did you know- Kempe Gowda, a feudal ruler under the Vijayanagara Empire, founded Bengaluru in 1537.
From the collection- Antique Print India Garhwal Hill Village., Old Print – Eden Garden & Harbour Calcutta 1905., c1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal On Paper Lovers (#5)., 2 Old Postcards – Robert Bristow’s Cochin Harbour 1947.
