View of Elphinstone College & Kala Ghoda, Bombay, 1890 Photo
An 1890 photo with a sweeping view of Elphinstone College and Kala Ghoda in Bombay (Mumbai). Also seen are the Sassoon Library, horse-drawn tram, and bullock carts. The street in front is the Esplanade Road (now Mahatma Gandhi Road). Built in the 1860s, the college stands opposite the Victoria And Albert Museum (Bhau Daji Lad Museum) in Byculla.
Named after Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay from 1819 to 1827, the area features an equestrian statue popularly known as ‘Kala Ghoda‘ or Black Horse. This statue, erected in honour of Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), commemorates his visit to Bombay in 1875. The stretch from the former Victoria Museum to Flora Fountain and Horniman Circle continues to be known as Kala Ghoda. The famed Watson’s Hotel also stands in this historic precinct.
Partially visible is the David Sassoon Library, built in 1870 by Albert Sassoon in honour of his father, David Sassoon, one of Bombay’s most prominent industrialists. In the absence of motor vehicles, bullock carts and horse-drawn carriages served as the primary means of transport. A horse-drawn tram can also be seen in the photograph; these trams operated until electric trams were introduced in 1907. Sadly, the tramway system was discontinued from Bombay’s streets by 1964. Click on the photo to enlarge.
Also read Elphinstone College, Mumbai.
Did you know – it was by the generosity of Cowasji Jehangir another major industrialist, who helped fund the construction of Elphinstone College.
From the collection – Raja Ravi Varma’s Wife Bhageerathi Bayi, Rare 1870 Photo., The Indian Gymkhana Bangalore – Old Postcard 1932., Ruins At Fatehpur Sikri – Old Print 1820., Railway Station Ahmednagar – Old Postcard 1905.
