Horniman Circle Gardens

Horniman Circle Gardens
Horniman Circle Gardens
	Horniman Circle Gardens in 2019
Type	Municipal Park
Location	Mumbai, India
Coordinates	18°55′55.5″N 72°50′4.04″E / 18.932083°N 72.8344556°E
Area	2.5 acres (1.01 ha)
Created	1872; 152 years ago
Status	Closed for restoration
Public transit access	Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus; Churchgate

The Horniman Circle Gardens is a large park in South Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, which encompasses an area of 1.01 hectares (2.5 acres). It is situated in the Fort district of Mumbai, and is surrounded by office complexes housing the country's premier banks. Designed to be a large open space with grand buildings in the middle of the walled city, the area had been known as Bombay Green in the 18th century, later Elphinstone Circle. Following India's independence in 1947, the area was renamed in honour of Benjamin Horniman, editor of The Bombay Chronicle newspaper, who supported Indian independence.

History

The Horniman Circle was preceded by a vast circular expanse of land, called the Bombay Green. In 1842, the area had been just a dump of coconut shells and debris. It was described as a swamp during monsoon, and a 'receptacle' of rocks in 'fine weather'.

The Green was very popular among the residents of Bombay. It was said that no part within the walls of the fort was so jealously guarded as the Green. A report from 11 April 1852 affirms this; A petition was sent by the residents of the city to the Court of Directors at London, against the erection of any building on Bombay Green. A copy of this petition was sent to "every firm or individual that knew Bombay". James Douglas, in his book Bombay And Western India ,1893 writes about the scene at night: Palkhees, would be spread wide over the green, and 'hamals' would sing their 'see-saw' songs in a joyous night.^[1] The vast expanse of land would be referred to as 'Chowk' by the natives, probably due to its central location in the fort township.

At the centre of it was a statue of Governor General Lord Cornwallis, enclosed in a structure resembling a temple, which was installed through the effort of Bombay's residents, in 1822. It cost £5000. On its right and left were situated statues of Wisdom and Integrity. It was being put up on 14 October 1824.^[2] A small courtyard surrounded it, and trees were planted along all its four sides. It was fenced by heavy metal chains. Owing to a misconception, the statue was worshiped by the poor, and the laborers, a practice which the government would try to stop.^[3] The statue would later be removed, and were found to be inside the Elphinstone Circle, along with a statue of Marquis Wellesley (which formerly located close to the former Churchgate) in 1895.^[4] Both the statues presently lie in the premises outside Bhau Daji Lad Museum.^[5]

The Police Commissioner, Charles Forjett, thought of converting the Green into a circle surrounded by buildings. He was supported by governors Lord Elphinstone and Sir Bartle Frère. The garden was planned in 1869 and completed in 1872 with well laid out walkways and trees planted all around.^[6] An ornamental fountain was placed in the centre, but it was replaced by a modern art deco iron pipes design. The new circle was created North of the previous Bombay Green, aligned with the Town Hall, and the Churchgate Street.

The Asiatic Society of Mumbai building (Town Hall) overlooks the Horniman Circle Gardens and the Reserve Bank of India. Close by, in Nariman Street is St. Thomas Cathedral, the first Anglican church in Mumbai, completed in 1718.

Events

Horniman Circle hosts the annual Sufi and mystic music festival, Ruhaniyat.^[7] It is also one of the venues of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival when several music and dance concerts are held at the park.^[8]

Gallery

Bombay Green,1751
The Town Hall and part of Horniman Circle Gardens, c. 1905
Horniman Circle, ca. 1860
Bombay Green (c. 1860s)
Bombay Green, looking towards the St. Thomas' Cathedral
Town Hall Bombay & Cotton Green - before Elphinstone Circle was built. (12488176425)
Times of India Buildings, corner of Horniman Circle), ca. 1880
The BSE Bull, and the Common Man Sculptures near Horniman Circle
Resting Place, and Pyau beside Horniman Circle
Pyau at Horniman Circle
Plaque of the Resting place near Horniman Circle Pyau

References

^ James Douglas (1893). Bombay And Western India Vol 1.
^ Douglas, James (1900). Glimpses of old Bombay and western India, with other papers. University of California Libraries. London : S. Low, Marston.
^ Māḍagã̄vakara, Govinda Nārāyaṇa (2008). Govind Narayan's Mumbai: An Urban Biography from 1863. Anthem Press. p. 130. ISBN 978-1-84331-305-2.
^ Douglas, James (1900). Glimpses of old Bombay and western India, with other papers. University of California Libraries. London : S. Low, Marston.
^ pedalandtringtring (20 March 2021). "IF STATUES COULD SPEAK?". Pedal And Tring Tring. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
^ "Horniman Circle Gardens". Mumbai Commercial Capital of India. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
^ "Sufis to regale this weekend". DNA Express. 21 November 2007. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
^ "Kala Ghoda Gazette". Archived from the original on 31 January 2009. Retrieved 9 February 2009.