Old Pictures of Mumbai (Bombay) City

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.

Rajabai Tower, Mumbai. 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.

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. And check out the Oval Maidan in the foreground encircled by the horse riding track.

Babulnath Temple featured here in a picture taken in early 20th century with the Marine Drive in the background. Another temple - Mumbadevi Temple is how the city got its name. The exquisite Mumbadevi (Goddess Mumba) Temple is a few kilometres away.

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.

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.

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!

Queen's Road, Bombay. 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.