Interior of Bungalows With Punkahs British Madras – 2 Photos 1870
Two 1879 photos give a glimpse of the interior of bungalows with punkahs in British Madras during the 19th century. Most Europeans in India had well-furnished bungalows and servants. And most bungalows were never without the hand-pulled punkahs. Just as shown in the two images. These were pulled by punkah wallahs who were specially assigned to the job. The photos show the interiors tastefully furnished by the owners.
By the look of it, they may have been high-ranking officials or even businessmen. Many similar bungalows were located around Fort St George or Mount Road areas in Madras (Chennai). Europeans had also resided in Nungambakkam, Adyar, Mylapore, etc. The rooms display beautiful rosewood furniture, carpets, lamps, and so on. There are many other pictures of the interior of bungalows and homes on this site. Click on the photo for better view.
Read more The colonial bungalow in India. See post Colonial India Bungalow With Punkah, Old Photo 1870. and Colonial Bungalow In British India – Old Photo 1865.
Did you know- the punkahs shown were operated by the servants in the day and in the night, dispensing cool breeze making a soft swishing sound.
From the collection- 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#14)., Parsi Gymkhana Club Mumbai – Old Postcard 1917., Srirangam Temple – Old Print 1872.
