Bombay
An early Italian or French postcard celebrating or advertising the city of Bombay. It also features a bicycle, then becoming popular in the city.
Bombay Mumbai
Fruit Seller
Note the rich character on this man's face in an image by M.V. Dhurandhar, one of India's most exceptional and prolific early 20th century painters and postcard artists.
Sent to Master E.
Jumma Masjid Bombay
Another exuberant, deftly rendered very early postcard by Paul Gerhardt, chief lithographer at the Ravi Varma Press in Bombay. Note the simply drawn mosque minarets, the colors that pull you in while the cart pushes out into the foreground space.
Abdul Rehiman Street, Bombay
[Original caption] Abdul Rehman Street, Bombay. This is one of the busiest spots in the city of Bombay and also one of the principal native streets. [end]
Note the building under construction on the right.
A Parsee Lady
Parsis in India originally came from Iran (Persia), and Parsi ladies were among the first Indian women to have had an active public life, no doubt helped by a high literacy rate in the community (there is a postcard or letter in the woman's hand).
Water Carrier
The bhistee or water carrier was a critical support to urban life before running water became widespread and reliable, and is one of the most frequent postcard subjects.
Municipal Buildings Bombay
When this postcard was published in 1899, the BMC building as it has come to be known across of Victoria Terminus railway station had been open barely six years.
The Bombay Policeman
At the turn of the century, the uniformed policeman was a novel sight. Note the umbrella instead of gun or baton stick carried by this early policeman, drawn by M.V. Dhurandhar.
Postmarked May 14, 1903, Spencer’s Buildings.
Srimati Sarojini Naidu
Srimati Sarojini Naidu, also known as the Nightingale of India, for her poetry.
Sarojini Naidu (February 13, 1879 - March 2, 1949), known as Bharatiya Kokila (The Nightingale of India), was a child prodigy, freedom fighter, and poet.
Bombay, Bara Bazaar
[Original caption] The Bara Bazaar, Bombay (City). The Bara Bazaar is one of the busiest spots in the City of Bombay, and is substantial in its industries as it is in its appearance.
