Watson’s Hotel Annexe Now Dhanraj Mahal, 1900 Postcard
A 1900 postcard of the Watson’s Hotel Annexe is the Dhanraj Mahal now in Bombay (Mumbai). The Annexe was once an extension of the Watson’s Esplanade Hotel in Fort. The luxurious hotel was a financial success that added much elegance to the city. The Annexe was located behind the Royal Bombay Yacht Club in 1888. It was one of the earliest buildings that came up in Apollo Bunder.
See post View of Watson’s Hotel & Esplanade Bombay – Old Photo 1880.
Designed by Robert Chisholm the famous British Architect. Who pioneered the Indo-Saracenic style architecture in British India. Some of his landmark designs were the Madras General Post Office, Madras Presidency College, Lakshmi Vilas Palace Baroda, and so on.
See post General Post Office Building In Chennai – Old Photo 1890.
In the 1930s Raja Dhunrajgir of the Princely State of Hyderabad bought the Watson’s Esplanade Hotel’s Annexe. He demolished it to construct in its place an art deco building called the “Dhanraj Mahal” in 1938. The design was by the architectural firm of Gregson, Batley & King. The construction was completed by Shapoorji Chandaboy & Company.
Also read Dhunrajgir’s The monks Who Became Bankers.
Did you know- the Dhanraj Mahal for its time (1938) was the largest and costliest building scheme undertaken in Mumbai city.
From the collection- 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal On Paper Nude (#3)., Coir Retting By Travancore Women – Old Photograph 1870., View of Harbour From Mazgaon Mumbai – Old Print 1897., Ooty Steam Loco Train Halt Over Bridge – Old Photograph 1909
