The two beautiful photos show sweeping views of British-era Bombay from Malabar Hill, taken in 1880. The first one shows the southern side of the Back Bay Drive. The silhouette of the row of public buildings, the Bombay High Court, Rajabai Clock Tower, and Secretariat is visible in the far distance.
Notice the buildings quite close to the Back Bay shores. However, this would change once the Back Bay reclamation took place in the 1920s. Land was reclaimed between the Back Bay shores and the row of public buildings, which created additional prime real estate. The project also included the creation of Marine Drive.
The lush wooded trees of the Malabar Hill are visible in the foreground. The second image shows the future site of Chowpatty Beach and Marine Drive’s northern end. The Lakdi Bandar or timber depot is visible in the foreground, neatly stacked with timber. The Chowpatty Beach was created after the same Back Bay Reclamation took place.
Did you know – the wealthy and influential Parsis took residence in the upscale neighbourhood of Malabar Hill.
Past posts – Raja Ravi Varma’s “Birth of Shakuntala” Oleograph 1894., Aerial View of Mumbai, 1920 Postcard., Colaba Point Lighthouse In Mumbai – Old Print 1868., Vintage Cars & Indian Landmarks, 1944 Card Album.
