Old Photo- Mumbai Racecourse Bombay 1880
This is an old photo of the Bombay, now Mumbai Racecourse of 1880. I’m not sure if this photo is of the Byculla Race Course or Mahalaxmi to where it shifted in 1883. But either way, this is a rare photograph. That provides an unusual glimpse of the playgrounds of the super-rich of a once bygone Mumbai. The Bombay Turf Club was founded by four Britishers- Hall, Forbes,
Campbell, and Hadows in 1802. Originally started in Byculla it was in use till 1883, then shifted to Mahalaxmi and remained there ever since. It was a reclaimed land of 226-acre plot that was called Mahalaxmi Flats from where the racecourse got its name. Sir Cusrow N. Wadia was the sole reason behind this venture he had the vision, foresight, and considerable amount of funds
to turn a reclaimed wetland into a fine race course. What looks like an 1880s elite crowd of both Britishers and Indians are visible in the photograph. The Indians are seen wearing the traditional attire it was not until the 1900s that the trend of western trousers started picking up. The photograph shows a busy and a charged up crowd just as you see it today.
Did you know- the Mahalaxmi Racecourse was modelled after the Caulfield Race course of Melbourne and is spread over land facing the sea.
From the collection- 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#14)., Vintage Postcard Parade At Mysore Palace 1900., Antique Photograph Imperial Service Cavalry Delhi Durbar 1903., 1947 Print Delhi Swearing-In Of Lord Mountbatten., Antique Delhi Durbar Kingsway Railway Station
