Marine Drive At Ernakulam (Kochi), 1935 Photo

A rare old 1935 photo of the Marine Drive at Ernakulam (or Kochi). The image shares a rare and interesting glimpse of early Ernakulam (Kochi) City. It was the time of the Maharaja of Cochin’s rule. Visible is the Shanmughom Road in its bare form. This was well before the Marine Drive came up by reclamation from the backwaters seen on the left.

Beyond that is the lush Bolghatty Island. The tiled roof buildings on the right would be the present-day city police headquarters. Looking straight ahead towards the near end an obscure outline of the boat jetty and its high arch is visible. Later known as the High Court Boat Jetty since it was adjacent to the High Court. The high court was established in 1956, it occupied a heritage building which was the Ram Mohan Palace.

The boat jetty arch would later be dismantled making way for urban development but the boat jetty is still active to this day. It appears this view is from the Shanmughom road’s gradient, probably from the bridge. The bridge spans the backwater canal that leads to the Ernakulam Market area. The canal was a waterway for the country boats ferrying cargo to and from the Ernakulam Market.

A multistoried tiled roof building is partially visible just ahead of the city police headquarters. This was likely the Archbishop’s House and where the Ashis Supermarket is located. Needless to say, the area metamorphosed into a modern and stylish cityscape today. Marine Drive with its promenade and GCDA buildings on one side and Shanmughom road with its row of shops and commercial establishments on the other. A lone motor vehicle and a group of people are visible on the road. Click on the photo for better view.

See post Rajendra Maidan Ernakulam Kochi, Old Photo 1944. See some old images of Kochi.

Did you know- Shanmughom Road was named after R. K. Shanmukham Chetty who was the Diwan in the princely state of Cochin from 1931 to 1945.

From the collection- Vintage Raja Ravi Varma “Shivaji” Oleograph Print., Watson’s Hotel Annexe Now Dhanraj Mahal – Old Postcard., Srirangam Temple – Old Print 1872., Old Book 1898-The Romance Of Glass-Making.