Watering The Oval Maidan Bombay – 2 Pcs 1910
Two interesting postcards from 1910 and 1915 show the watering of the Oval Maidan in Bombay, Mumbai. One shows watering of the road probably using a bullock cart tanker. The other picture also shows watering of the road using an underground flush pipe by two helpers. The road is encircles the Oval Maidan.
The row of public buildings like the Bombay High Court is visible in the first postcard. The Rajabai Clock Tower and Secretariat are faintly visible in the second picture. The watering was necessary to suppress the flying dust from the unmetalled roads. Bitumen-metalled roads were not commonly used at the time perhaps because of the cost factor and labour involved.
Read also Traces of history on Mumbai’s roads: BMC to look for British-era milestones, restore them.
Did you know – Oval Maidan was used for cricket, football, hockey, and even polo at one time.
Past posts – Raja Ravi Varma By E M J Venniyoor, Book., Rampart Row & Forbes Street British Era Bombay, 1880 Photo., The French Seize British Madras 1746, Chromo Advertising 1890., Old Book 1918 – Recollections of Calcutta.
