Ulsoor Lake In Late 19th Century, Bangalore, 1890 Postcard

Ulsoor Lake In Late 19th Century, Bangalore, 1890 Postcard

A 1890 postcard of the Ulsoor Lake during the late 19th century in Bangalore (Bengaluru). After the 4th Anglo-Mysore War in 1799, the British, set up a military cantonment around the Fort and Ulsoor Lake (now Halasuru Lake). Though it was a tank built by Kempe Gowda II in 1537, Sir L B Bowring, Bangalore’s Commissioner in the 1860s, developed it into a large lake.

Today the lake’s catchment area is around 1.5 sqkm or 123 acres. And is probably one of the oldest water bodies in Bangalore. It is situated towards the North-East side of Bangalore, close to South Parade Road (now MG Road). The lake’s charm is further enhanced by the number of beautiful islands in it. There are four islands in the lake, it is home to a number of birds, butterflies and fish species.

All this is rapidly declining especially the fish species because of high pollutants that has seeped into the water. The lake’s perimeter has shrunk from its original perimeter mainly due to encroachments. Though the authorities are taking all efforts in restoring the lake to its past glory. One of the islands can be seen in the postcard with its beautiful rainforest tree. Click image to enlarge.

Did you know – there was a jackfruit orchard near the lake. In Kannada, ‘Halasina Hannu’ means jackfruit, hence, the area came to be known as “Halasuru”.

Past posts – Raja Ravi Varma’s Inspiring Models – 2 Postcards 1900., European Family At Simla, 1895 Photo., Brahmin Family In India, 1861 Print., Test Run of The Nilgiri Mountain Railway Train, 1899 Photo.