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| Iconic Russel Market with a clock Tower |
Above image: Iconic Russel Market with a clock Tower, Shivaji Nagar, Bengaluru. The market building was built later as an extension to the clock tower-----
The Russell Market building, constructed in 1927 is one of the oldest structures in Bengaluru and is named after the then Municipal Commissioner, T B Russell. However, a recent finding says that the structure’s main part with the clock (which has gone missing now) makes it older by 70 years. This colonial edify has been in a state of neglect on account of poor upkeep and lethargy on the part of the officials.
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| 1880s Russel Market, Cantonment area, Bengaluru/en.wikipedia.org, |
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| Russel Market, Bengaluru, hindustantimes.com |
Post fire episode, the building underwent renovation during that time the historical clock that was removed had gone missing till it was realised by a City-based architect Manzoor Khan. Khan, who is passionate about historical and heritage sites, says 'the clock tower existed when there was a village market in full swing in the area. While some of them say the clock was either removed during recent renovations or it might be lying in the heap of scraps in the Russell Market.
If the history of the tower is considered, Russell Market will be much older than what is believed to be. Agreeing with him, S K Aruni, Deputy Director, Indian Council for Historical Research (ICHR), Bangalore, said that Shivajinagar area known as Kalpalli had a local market (santhe in Kannada). Shivaji Nagar was then called Blackpally ( a derogatory term) by the earliest British settlers as the original inhabitants were dark skinned. According to Mansoor Ali, before Russell Market came up, the area was a huge lake and extended up to the present-day Meenakshi Temple in Shivajinagar.
An accidental discovery of a missing clock has just pushed back the history of Russell Market at least by half a century making it an very old heritage building.
“ The market was built here with the clock tower after the queen’s order in 1857. It was called ‘new market to facilitate the cantonment here.” After plague break out in 1898, some British officers too died due to the dreaded disease. The Bowring Lady Curzon Hospital in Shivaji Nagar took serious efforts to contain the spread of the dreaded disease -plague.
To curtail crowded spaces and improve sanitation the colonial rulers forcibly closed down the market and rebuilt a new one with better facilities. A hygienic, airy and scientific market was built by Cantonment Municipality by extending the construction along the clock tower that had been standing there for some period.
Renamed after Commissioner ''Russell'', little is known about the heritage building of the market, it is strongly believed by many researchers that the clock tower is the oldest structure in the Russell Market.
Plans were afoot to restructure and and renovate the Russel market building with befitting modern facilities. The estimated transformation would cost Rs 40 crores (as per 2015 estimate) The proposal included redoing the existing front, UG parking facilities in the near-by area, pedestrian-friendly square, etc. The roads in the market area are narrow, hence they would be made pedestrian-friendly. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike - BBMP was keen to demolish the structures at the back and construct a four-storey structure to house commercial establishments. The reconstruction would be done in consultation with the conservation specialists before finalizing the plan. Some people didn't like the idea of removing the heritage structures adjacent to the clock tower. BBMP said that they planned to retain the 150 year old Central Clock Tower and the facade of the market as 'they carry more heritage value'. Whereas the structures behind will be demolished for good to facilitate the commercial complex.
https://www.deccanherald.com/content/358999/missing-clock-adds-vintage -years.html
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