Parsis Worshipping & BB & CI Bombay, 1903 Photo

This is a 1903 stereo photo of Parsis worshipping with BB & CI Railway Headquarters in Bombay, now Mumbai. The building at the back is that of  BB & CI Railway Headquarters at Churchgate. The BB & CI or the Bombay Baroda & Central India Railway is better known as the Western Railways now. Two Parsis are shown worshipping at the low tide area of the Back Bay.

This was before the reclamation of the area. After the reclamation in the 1930s and 40s added a fine stretch of land to the Back Bay coastline. Which included the Marine Drive and its promenade, the Art Deco buildings, Wankhede Stadium, etc. Parsis are shrewd businessmen coming from Gujarat, north of Mumbai. A Zoroastrian community that fled from Persia in the 8th century.

Moved down to Bombay from Gujarat, where they had first settled. The British had first encountered the Parsis in Surat. And found them valuable as middlemen between themselves and their Indian suppliers. They possessed skills the Britishers needed: They were traders and shipbuilders. They soon became the most influential group in Bombay. The community set its own worshipping place, hotels, clubs, schools, etc. Erected memorials, hospitals, etc. Click on the photo for better view.

Did you know – a Parsi, C N Davar, in 1854 opened the first steam-powered cotton mill in Bombay. 

From the collection – Vintage Raja Ravi Varma “Laxmi” Oleograph., The Market At Cantonment Bangalore, Old PC 1905., Aerial View of Parliament New Delhi – Old Print 1946., View Of Cochin – Antique Hand coloured Plan 1704.

The images are of the actual items from my collection. And Not a photocopy, pirated, reproduced, stock photos, or taken from other sources.

 

 

Photo Details

Year -

1903

Photograph Size -

stereo phto

Photographer -

Keystone