Racecourse In British Era Bombay, 1880 Photo
An old 1880 photo of a racecourse during the British Era in Bombay (Mumbai). This is probably the Byculla Racecourse before it was shifted to Mahalaxmi in 1893. Which gives an unusual glimpse of the playgrounds of the super-rich of a once-bygone Bombay. 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 is 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 charged-up crowd just as you see it today.
Did you know- the Mahalaxmi Racecourse was modelled after the Caulfield Racecourse 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
