Two Views of Back Bay From Malabar Hill Bombay – 2 Prints 1870
Two 1870’s prints show two views of the Back Bay from Malabar Hill in Bombay (Mumbai). One of them is an engraving the second is a colourized print from a painting. The pictures show a beautiful verdant Bombay from two different periods of time. Showing great patches of lush greenery, with only a smattering of buildings, two tall chimneys peek out from a patch of greenery, dhows lie on the Back Bay waters.
Sad to say this pristine scene would eventually disappear years later replaced by the view of a concrete jungle. Like most parts of Bombay, this area too was reclaimed land, of which Chowpatty Beach is a part. The famous Marine Drive promenade was also reclaimed land from the 1920s. It stretches from Nariman Point to Girgaon or Girgaum (near Malabar Hill). While driving along on one side is the Back Bay and on the other is the Western Line area. Marine Drive is also known by its nickname “Queen’s Necklace.” So called, at night the unbroken curving chain of lights looks like a sparkling necklace.
Read more The Making of Marine Drive. See older post View Of Mumbai From Malabar Hill – Old Print 1853.
Did you know- the British constructed the Marine Drive to last for 72 years, but it is still going strong with only little maintenance.
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