An 1890 Panoramic View of Cumballa Hill, Bombay
This rare 1890 panoramic photograph of Cumballa Hill in Bombay (now Mumbai) captures one of the city’s most exclusive neighborhoods from the colonial era. Cumballa Hill lies close to Malabar Hill in the south, Mahalaxmi in the north, and Altamount Road in the east, while facing the Arabian Sea on the west.
In the late 19th century, this area was a lush, wooded landscape dotted with sprawling European bungalows, each set within large forested compounds, as seen in this photograph. Most of the European residents who lived here worked or conducted business in the Fort area of South Bombay, while Cumballa Hill and Malabar Hill were known as the elite Europeans’ only residential enclaves.
Much earlier, before urban development, the region was heavily forested and teeming with wildlife, including tigers, leopards, and wolves. Over time, the virgin hills transformed into a prime residential zone, gradually giving way to the bustling cityscape we know today.
Now, this once serene and green hill is a concrete jungle filled with skyscrapers, luxury apartments, and commercial towers, home to many of Mumbai’s wealthy and influential families. At the far southern tip, the elevated land stretches into the Arabian Sea at Malabar Point, where the British Government House (now Raj Bhavan) still stands as a landmark of colonial history. Click photo to enlarge.
Did you know- in 1803 the Times of India reported some presence of hyenas…the animal was believed to be roaming around this habitat. Another was the jackal.
From the collection- Raja Ravi Varma Paintings Depicted In Postcards., Marina Beach British Era Madras, 3 Old Postcards 1900., Queen Mary At The Taj Mahal, Old Print 1911., Earliest Motor Car In Colaba Bombay – Old Photo 1900.
