Back Bay From Malabar Hill Mumbai, 2 Old Prints 1870

There are two old 1870’s prints of the Back Bay from Malabar Hill in Bombay, now Mumbai. Bourne & Shepherd were the original photographers of one of the prints, the coloured print is from a painting. The pictures show a beautiful verdant Mumbai from two different periods of the past. Great patches of lush greenery, with only a few scattering of buildings visible, two tall chimneys with their mills lost in the lush greenery, and dhows on the Back Bay waters.

Unfortunately, this pristine setting would disappear years later to a view of the concrete jungle. Like most parts of  Mumbai, this area too was reclaimed land, of which Chowpatty beach is a part. The famous Marine Drive promenade was also reclaimed land. It stretches from Nariman Point to Girgaon or Girgaum (near Malabar Hill). While driving along on one side is the Backbay and on the other is the Western line area. Marine Drive is also known by its nickname “Queen’s Necklace.” So called because at night the unbroken curving chain of lights looked like a necklace. Click on the photo for better view.

Read more The Making of Marine Drive. See older post View Of Mumbai From Malabar Hill – Old Print 1853.

Did you know- the British constructed the Marine Drive to last for 72 years, but it is still going strong with only little maintenance.