Description of Bombay By An American Newspaper In 1818
An American newspaper the, Farmers Cabinet of October 17, 1818, gives a description of Bombay. Extract of a letter written by Rev. J Nichols, “Bombay, as you well know, is an island about seven miles long and one mile wide. The harbour is open, but very safe at the south end. On the south end of the island also is the fort, three quarters of a mile wide, containing about 20,000 inhabitants.
The whole island contains more than 200,000. Just without the fort is an extensive Esplanade, this is for the use of the army. Next to the Esplanade stands the Dungeree, or native town….” He also mentions about black Jews…”There are eight hundred black Jews in Bombay. They are in a very low state of ignorance and degradation. They. like their brethren, the world over, are in waiting posture, having their faces set towards Jerusalem….”
It must be remembered that Bombay’s seven islands were under reclamation until the 1840s. Only by 1860-70 that the city faced any significant developments. The expansion took place essentially after Bartle Frere assumed control as the governor of Bombay in 1862. His first act was to order the demolition of the walls of Fort George. This was to make way for more space in the city. The Bombay High Court, Rajabai Clock Tower, and the Secretariat were the first buildings to come up on the freed up land.
Did you know – the East India Company, driven by a desire for wealth, transformed Bombay into a major opium smuggling center, forcing Indian farmers to switch from food crops to opium cultivation.
Past posts – Vintage Raja Ravi Varma “Shivaji” Oleograph Print., George Town & Parry’s British Era Madras, 1885 Photo., Vasco Da Gama Before The Zamorin In Calicut, 1909 Postcard., Vintage Car With Newlyweds – Old Photo 1940.
