Nostalgia : Aamchi Mumbai !!

Ever wondered what one of our biggest cities looked like in the gud 'ol days?? Posting a series of pics of Bombay from the late 19th century to the early years of the 20th century...all in b&w..but still, full of life......simple life, devoid of the chaos of the 21st century Mumbai..





Marine Drive, Bombay (1930)




Queen's Road
One of Mumbai's prominent promenades in the 19th Century, Queen's Road was also its most picturesque. Its broad tree-lined avenues would have been a sight to experience.



Rajabai Tower
The University of Mumbai's most famous landmark. Standing 260 ft tall and endowed with amazing sculptures, it was financed by Cotton entrepreneur and banker Premchand Roychand in the late 19th century.



Here comes the train!
One of the earliest undated pictures taken of the city's rail system depicts Bombay's commuters doing exactly the same thing in the 19th century as they do in the 21st -- waiting eagerly for next train!



The view from Malabar Hill
When Lord Elphinstone set up Malabar Hill as the haunt of British nobility, perhaps it was this view that was behind the decision. Surely one of the reasons why Mumbai has such a glorious past.



Mumbadevi Temple
And here's how the city got its name. The exquisite Mumbadevi (Goddess Mumba) Temple is featured here in a picture taken in early 20th century.



The Catholic Gymkhana
The elegance of Mumbai's club history is exemplified in this late 19th century picture of The Catholic Gymkhana at Marine Lines. The Catholic Gymkhana was considered one of the most elite clubs in Bombay.



Churchgate and its surroundings
OK, can you recognise this place? Well actually, not many can. This fantastic, undated aerial photograph of Churchgate (don't miss the Railway Headquarters building in the foreground) was shot in the late 19th century.



Mumbai High Court
The British influence is all over the place in this superb picture showing the High Court in the company of the Mumbai University buildings, including the Rajabai Tower.



An evening walk down Marine Drive
This undated picture of Marine Drive shows a Parsi family taking an evening walk down the promenade in the backdrop of Rajabai Tower, the most imposing symbol of Mumbai University.



Esplanade road, Bombay(Date of picture/art work not known.)



Malabar hills, Mumbai (Date of picture/art work not known.)




PYDHONIE ( VICTORIA GARDENS SIDE )(Date of picture/art work not known.)




HUGHES ROAD NEAR CHOWPATTY END(Date of picture/art work not known.)




A BUNGLOW BUILT IN SHIVAJI PARK IN THE EARLY 1930's



Bombay record store, circa 1930



Old Bandra (1930)




Bad quality of some of the pics is regretted. You can conveniently blame the cameras of that era. But look closely, they tell a story which no megapixel cams of today can tell.