Newly Completed Crawford Market British Era Bombay, 1870 Photo
A rare 1870 photo of a newly completed Crawford Market in the British Era of Bombay (Mumbai). This historic image gives a rare view of the Crawford Market from an early period. Probably a year after the building was completed in 1869. It was named after the energetic municipal commissioner, Arthur Crawford.
Despite its change of name to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market it is still popularly known by its old name. Arthur Crawford was a dynamic city planner. He with the then Bombay Governor Bartle Frere’s backing introduced zoning laws, and modern building practices. This was all a novel concept at the time. Crawford had also backed for the construction of a building to house a permanent market. Thus the Crawford Market was created. It was originally designed by Russell Aitken as a series of sheds, but a more extensive scheme was required.
Crawford then through a competition advertised in London for market designs. In which William Emerson emerged with a winning design. Although the building was completed in 1869, the market establishment itself opened in 1871. It quickly became popular with an excellent example of British architecture in the city. J L Kipling the father of Rudyard Kipling designed the decorative panels. The panels still create interest to this day because of their intricate design and carving. Click on the photo for better view.
Read about A Guide To Some Of The Most Historic Buildings. See post Crawford Market Mumbai – Old Photo 1905.
Did you know- that one of the main attractions of the building is the 128-foot clock tower that stands like a silent sentinel.
From the collection- Vintage Oleograph Raja Ravi Varma “Vishnu On Sheshnag”., Chinese Boats On The Malabar Coast – Old Print 1746., King George’s Car Delhi Durbar – Old Photograph 1910., Prince of Wales Museum Bombay – Old Postcard 1915
