English Emporium On South Parade Road in the British Era, Bangalore, 1910 Postcard
A charming 1910 postcard captures the English Emporium on South Parade Road (Mahatma Gandhi Road or MG Road) in British-era Bangalore (Bengaluru). Offering a fascinating glimpse into the city’s colonial commercial district. The elegant building on the left, with its refined European architectural style, stood proudly facing South Parade Road. During the early twentieth century, the Emporium catered largely to the European community living in the Bangalore Cantonment. Its impressive façade and carefully designed storefront are a reminder of the elegant architecture that once defined many of Bangalore’s landmark commercial buildings.
South Parade Road was among the most prestigious and vibrant streets in colonial Bangalore, renowned for its unusually broad layout, tree-lined avenues, flowering gardens, and lively mix of horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, and pedestrians. The boulevard was lined with fashionable shops, restaurants, bookshops, theatres, and cafés, making it one of the city’s favourite social and shopping destinations. Although modern MG Road remains Bangalore’s commercial heart, its heavy traffic has replaced much of the leisurely atmosphere. This postcard preserves the enduring charm of old Bangalore, whose transformation began after the British established the Bangalore Cantonment following the Anglo-Mysore War of 1799. Click image to enlarge.
Did you know – unlike many Indian bazaars of the period, South Parade Road attracted people from across the British Empire- British officers, Anglo-Indians, Parsis, Armenians, Jews, and Indian merchants all contributed to its unique multicultural atmosphere.
