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#ThrowbackThursday: Bengaluru Of The Early 1900s

No traffic jams, no Cauvery row.

Before Karnataka's capital became the Silicon Valley of India, it used to be a charming town which according to legends, got its name Bengaluru, or 'the town of boiled beans', after an old woman served cooked pulses to a lost and hungry Hoysala king.

But now, the city's allure is rapidly fading, what with inadequate infrastructure, increasing crime rates (especially cyber crimes), and the ugly ongoing controversy around Cauvery waters.

HuffPost India has dug out a collection of enchanting archival images that offer glimpses of Bangalore, as it was from the late-1800s to the early-1900s.

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Father Chevalier was Bangalore's first parish priest, who built the first Church of St. Francis Xavier in 1851. The St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Bangalore was captured by the Times of India photographer on 1 January, 1900.
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The Bangalore City Railway Station, shot by the Times of India cameraman on 1 January, 1950.
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A portion of the Bangalore Fort, that was built by Kempe Gowda I in 1537. In the 18th century, Hyder Ali rebuilt the fort with stone and his son Tipu repaired it after it was damaged during his battles with the British. This image was taken by the Times of India photographer on 24 July, 1938.
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The Minto Ophthalmic Hospital in Bangalore was built in 1913. This government-run hospital provides advance eye health care.
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Commercial Street in Bangalore was one of the city's busiest shopping centre. Seen here by the Times of India photographer on 24 July, 1938.
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The Lalbagh Botanical Garden in Bangalore is of royal origin and was set up by Hyder Ali initially as a private garden, covering an area of 40 acres. With well-laid out roads, paths, open spaces, shade and a collection of many types of plant species, the garden attracts a large number of visitors.
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The City Market is one of Bangalore's oldest markets. It is called KR Market after Maharaj Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV of Mysore. The image shows an aerial view of the market, taken by the Times of India cameraman on 16 September, 1932.
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The Ulsoor Lake was constructed by Kempe Gowda II. The Times of India cameraman captured the picturesque lake on 24 July, 1938.
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The Sri Krishnarajendra Market that was established in 1928 and named after one of Mysore's rulers Krishnarajendra Wodeyar. It now houses one of the largest flower markets in Asia.
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The Bangalore Race Course is considered among the best in the country, for the challenge it poses both to the horses and the riders. The racecourse nestles amidst 85 acres of greenery in the heart of the city and presents a truly beautiful sight throughout the year.
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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.