Flora Fountain In British Era Bombay, Old Print 1891

Old 1891 print of Flora Fountain in British era Bombay, now Mumbai. This is a page from the British Journal The Building News, of June 26, 1891. Flora Fountain is one of Mumbai’s iconically beautiful landmarks. Completed in 1864 it was initially called Frere Fountain, and is named as such in this print. In honor of Sir Bartle Frere, the dynamic Governor of Bombay from 1862 to 1867.

He was the one who literally changed the landscape of the city. By first removing the fort walls in 1862 to access more space for the city. However in time, for some reason, the name Frere Fountain did not stick on. And since it was colloquially referred to as Flora Fountain the name stuck to this day. The statue on top of the fountain is of Flora the Roman Goddess of flowers.

It was originally proposed to be installed at Victoria Gardens (Jijimata Udyan) in Byculla. But because of a change in plan in 1869, it was placed at Hornby Road. A busy intersection where it still stands today. Hornby Road was later renamed as Hutatma Chowk. The page is titled The Frere Fountain Bombay. And includes the names of the architect Richard Norman Shaw., and sculptor JAS Forsyth. Click on the photo for better view.

See post Vintage Postcard Mumbai Victoria Gardens 1890. Read more Looking To The Future.

Did you know- one of the three main gates of the Fort- Church Gate-once stood on this site.

From the collection- Raja Ravi Varma’s “Birth of Shakuntala” Oleograph of c1894., British Era Steam Locomotive Bangalore-Old Photo., St John’s Hill Road Bangalore – Old Photo 1900., Fort Cochin – Antique Map Plan 1761