Ghat Road to Coonoor & Ooty In Nilgiris, 1900 Photo
A 1900 silver print of the Ghat Road to Coonoor and Ooty in the Nilgiris. Before the automobile came into the scene the ghat road was mainly used by bullock carts and horse carts. The British defeated the Mysorean Army in the Anglo-Mysore War in 1799. But it was only 20 years later they would explore places that were undiscovered by Europeans.
One of them was the Nilgiris (or the Blue Mountains). John Sullivan, the collector of Coimbatore, with a small group of assistants and soldiers trekked up the mountain in 1819. Their expedition was via harsh conditions through the rough and rugged terrain, they climbed steep hills and dense forests teeming with dangerous animals.
They managed to climb to the top of the plateau and found the weather to be cool and pleasant. In 1823, Sullivan built the Stonehouse after buying the land from the Todas. Thus, was the first modern bungalow built in Ooty. During the years of British Rule, Ooty gradually turned into a popular hill station. It became the summer capital of the Madras Presidency.
Did you know – according to NDC, Ooty’s 150th year in 1973 went unnoticed bcause the town was facing multiple problems of population explosion, tourist influx and indiscriminate commercialisation.
Past posts – Raja Ravi Varma Commemorative Stamp Folder., Oldest View of Bowring Institute In Bangalore, 1890 Postcard., Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s Cavalcade – Old Print 1888., German Prince’s India Tour Train, Old PC 1910.
