In 2020, when we say “The city that was..”, it unfortunately only reminds us of our pre-Coronavirus pandemic days. Cities, in their entirety, seem to have undergone a makeover of sorts, leaving us in wonderment of what it once used to be. Did the corner bakery have grey walls even then? Was the road leading up to the city centre always adjacent to the vegetable market? These aren’t questions that trouble us daily, but once answered, bring us a slight sense of joy.
Bygone Bangalore is an Instagram page that attempts to keep the quaint history of the now fast-paced city alive. Almost like an online archive, the page reminds us of the evolution of Bangalore and its journey to Bengaluru. Accompanying these beautiful pictorial memories is a brief history of the area and how their significance rose over time.
The infamous Church Street, Mavalli Tiffin Rooms (MTR) and many more Bangalore favourites have made their appearance in Bygone Bangalore. It also revealed that Victoria Hospital, which is now being used to treat COVID-19 patients, came to be due to the plague of 1898! It’s not the easiest thing to believe at first that a bustling city was once emptier, possibly even quieter.
These pictures aren’t just a part of history — they play a role in keeping our roots alive and our culture grounded. It’s always good to know where we have come from, in order to figure where we should be headed.
You can find Bygone Bangalore here.
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