Street Scenes In British Era Bombay – 5 Postcards 1900s
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Five postcards that date from the 1900s show street scenes in British Era Bombay (Mumbai). The first postcard is of Medows Street formerly known as “Angrezi Bazar” now known as “Nagindas Master Street”. The street is located near Flora Fountain in the Fort area of Bombay.
The second postcard is of Pydownie a name corrupted by the British the actual name was Pydhonie, which implied a place to wash their feet. It is today known as “Mohammed Ali Road.” Noticeable is a beautiful car of the period probably a Chrysler which seems to have been a little common in Bombay.
The third postcard is that of “Null Bazar Street” it is a sub-locality in Bhuleshwar, in South Bombay. The street is probably still known as Null Bazar even today. The name is derived from the Hindi word nala meaning a drain. It is believed a storm drain used to pass through the area during the early days of Bombay’s formation.
The fourth postcard is titled “Street Scene” but it was better known in the British era days as the Native Quarter. The city had a European Quarter and a native quarter where the Europeans and Indians were based residentially and commercially. The last postcard scene is very likely of the native quarter by the look of it. Click on the image for better view.
Did you know – all the old names are still fresh in the mind. Princess Street is still called Princess Street rather than Shamaldas Gandhi Marg. Or take Queens Road. Even cab drivers still know it by that name—if you say ‘Maharishi Karve Marg, they’ll give you a blank look.
Past posts – 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#7)., Cooum River In 19th Century Madaras, 1880 Photo., Aerial Views of Rashtrapati Bhavan & Parliament Delhi, 1946 Print.
