Bombaim, an island of dancing snakes & giant frogs
A sometimes quaint, sometimes bizarre view of 18th-century Bombay and its flora and fauna through our rare books collection
Mumbai
Stories & Histories Hidden In Mumbai’s Suburbs
This city is older than most of us would imagine and evidence of its ancient heritage is scattered through its bustling suburbs
Vasai Fort: Remains Of The Day
Once a centre of power that empires fought to control, today this fort-city is a forest of echoes and shadows
Urbs Prima In Indis: The Rise and Rise of the Bombay Presidency
In the late 19th century, the port town of Bombay began to gain economic and cultural cred, thanks to British imperialism fighting to assert its power. This is the story of a city finding its voice
Gateway Of India: The Birth Of Photography In 19th-Century Bombay
Compelling portraits from our archive of a budding metropolis, its evolving skyline and fascinating people
Elephanta Caves, Bombay
This Johnson and Henderson image shows the outer facade of one of the caves on the island of Elephant in Bombay. Originally called Gharapuri and identified as the capital of the Mauryas in the Konkan, the island is spread across two hillocks separated by a narrow valley and dotted with numerous archaeological remains going as… Read more »
Bene Israel teachers, Bombay
The subjects of this photograph belong to the historic community of Jews in India known as ‘Bene Israel’. Dressed in traditional attire, they are teachers of the Free Church of Scotland’s Mission School and the Jewish English School in Bombay, British India. This photograph was originally published between 1855-1862 in Photographs of Western India, Volume I,… Read more »
Scenery, Costumes and Architecture, Western India
Robert M. Grindlay served the British East India Company from 1804-1820, in India. A self-taught amateur artist, he made many sketches and illustrations recording the landscape and life of early 19th century India. These illustrations were later published and copied in engravings. This book is such a collection of coloured engravings. The topics in the… Read more »