View Of The Backwaters & Lush Coastline Cochin, 1950 Postcard

A 1950 postcard with a view of the famous backwaters and lush coastline of Cochin (Ernakulam). The view is apparently from the Venduruthy Bridge. The near foreground would be the future site of the Cochin Shipyard. The massive Cochin Shipyard (CSL) came into existence in 1972. Further up would be the Foreshore Road, Rajendra Maidan, and so on.

The opposite side would be the man-made Willingdon Island (not pictured). The Venduruthy Bridge connected Ernakulam mainland to Willingdon Island. Robert Bristow, a British harbour engineer, was responsible for the creation of Willingdon Island. The island was linked with a port, railway terminus, and an airport all in close proximity.

The backwater is part of the Great Vembanad Lake one of the largest lakes in India. Rice boats visible near the waterfront were once a common sight have disappeared in course of time. Kerala is crisscrossed with canals and backwaters having only a few bridges then. The rice boats played a key role in the transportation of cargo for centuries. Today the Kerala Houseboats are an imitation of the kettuvallams or rice boats. Click on the photo for better view.

Did you know- because of its great natural beauty, Kerala earned the appellation ‘God’s Own Country’.

From the collection- Kerala Backwaters & Cargo Boats – Old Print 1922., Vintage Oleograph Raja Ravi Varma “Vishnu On Sheshnag”., South Parade Road Bangalore – Old Photo 1880., Russell Market Bangalore – Old Postcard., Antique Plan of Madras Fort St George 1782