BANDRA

Our Lady of the Mount, Bandra

By Joseph B. Gomes (taken from the Archives of the East Indian Association Silver Jubilee)

Not very long ago a stranger has the privilege of witnessing one of our public religious functions

in Bandra. What most struck him was the number and the variety of banners carried by the

various confraternities that formed part of the procession. Among these, his observant eye, as the

procession passed on, caught sight of a small banner carried by a little child. There was

something in the attitude of that child, struggling to keep the banner steady, that made the

stranger interested and forgetting all else, he fixed his gaze on that fluttering banner and its

struggling bearer. As it neared the vantage ground, his old heart leaped for sheer joy, and tears

of gratitude filled his eyes, for on the white and blue ground of that standard he had read one

simple sentence “Monstra Te esse Matrem” - - “Show Tyself a Mother”. That tiny banner

carried by a tiny child contains in the simplest and fewest words possible, the secret of the true

devotion of Christians and non-Christians alike, to her, who is popularly know as and invoked

the title of Our Lady of the Mount.

The history of this shrine which now draws thousands of all castes and creeds every year from all

over India, goes back to early Portuguese times when that valiant nation once the mistress of the

sea planted the Cross on this side of India in the first part of the 16th

century. We read that

Bandra passed to the Portuguese with the cession of Bassein by King Bahadusha of Gujarat, in

1534 – just 400 year ago, when Merry englant under Henry VIII drifted into schism. Inscrutable

are the ways of Providence, for the loss of England – The dowry of our Lady –the gentiles were

to be the portion of the Church. However, not until a full generation had passed by did this

portion of the new vineyard receive attention of the missionaries who by the way were the sons

of St. Ignatius to whose labours this part of Salsette seems to have been reserved.

According to tradition, a hindu temple had stood on the brow of the hill. This is said to have been

pulled down and the place cleared of its idol for a Christian shrine. However this may be, history

records that in 1566 the fathers built a modest little oratory of mud for their private devotion and

dedicated it to Our Lady of the Nativity and a hut of bamboo and thatch as a shelter, which

served them for nine years until the building of St. Andrew‟s in 1575 as the Parish Church. Such

was the modest beginning of this now famous shrine.

For over 70 years the oratory remained in its pristine state. In 1640 by the command of the

Captian of Salsette it was enlarged and made into a Chapel for the use of the garrison stationed at

the block house (itself built in this year) at the Bandra Point, and we take it, was open to the

faithful for public devotion. This then seems to be the beginning of that fame which in years to

come was to reach far and wide.

The pious Captian could never have dreamt that the Chapel he caused to be built would be a

place where „the angels of God ascend and descend‟ with the prayer of the faithful. He sleeps

probably in a forgotten grave; his progeny may perhaps be extinct, or if living, too widely spread

to lay claim to an illustrious descent. But the shrine he built, though once destroyed by the

ruthless hand of the invader, and then re-built and remodeled to suit the exigency of the times,

still remains, drawing even more a stream of grateful people to pay its vows.

A Century later the Marathas over-ran Salsette. Bandra Hill, which probably had never known

disturbance or witnessed warfare in its history, heard for the first time the invaders‟ war cry

resounding on its peaceful heights. Bent on destruction, the soldiers made short work of the

shrine. The statue of the Mother of God was flung into the sea and the Chapel set on fire. The

devotion that had grown for a century thus cam to an end and for over 20 years the hill presented

a scene of desolation –four bare walls looking up to heaven in mute appeal against the sacrilege

committed. no „Aves‟ no „Salves‟ rose up to the throne of the Queen on high from this once

sacred spot, nor was heard the tinkle of the Mass-bell, until 1761 when the Chapel was re-built

for divine worship and the statue, which had been rescued from the sea by some fishermen, and

taken to St. Andrew‟s for safety, was carried in procession and restored to its original place. As

early as 1882 this third building was found too small to accommodate the increasing number of

pilgrims, year by year, and a glass enclosed portico was added to it for extra accommodation. In

the beginning of this century the old building had to give away and on its site stands the present

edifice in Gothic style, begun in 1902 and completed in 1904.facing the west it commands a

beautiful view of the Arabian Sea, while to the fishing folks its twin towers serve as a Mariner‟s

guide. There is no time to out disposal to describe its peaceful interior which has brought peace

and solace to many a suffering heart. On a lofty altar of Marble stands a life-sized statue of Mary

with a mother‟s smile, while the infant in her arms stretches out both its arms in a welcome to the

weary pilgrim.

The favours Our Lady designs to grant to her clients are so varied and numerous that the shrine

may justly be styled “The Lourdes of India”. To form an idea of the magnitude of the favours

received through her intercession, one has only to watch the stream of devotees –Christians,

Hindus, Jews, Mussalmans, Parsis – with their thanks offerings; wooden cradles and waxen

babes; heads, hearts, eyes, ears, feet, knees – in short the gifts include counterparts of the body

healed; and students of psychology will be interest to note that it is not an uncommon sight to

behold those unfortunate ones that have suffered from the heart aches of life bringing votive

gifts of silver hearts, as if literally fulfilling the hanging of their lacerated hearts to the willow

tree.

Verily, Our Lady of the Mount is the glory of Bandra !

She has shown herself a mother to so many in the past. She continues to show that motherly

regard in the living present and we have assurance that she will not withhold her special

protection in the years to come – for is she not the Mother of the afflicted?

(as broadcast from the Bombay Radio Station).

ST. ANTHONY‟S SCHOOL, Palli – Bandra (taken from the Archives of the East Indian

Association Silver Jubliee)

Prior to 1895 there existed at Palli a Portuguese Teaching School. As the want of an English

Teaching School was greatly felt a meeting of the villagers of Palli was held in 1894 and a

Committee of the following members with powers to co-opt was appointed to find ways and

means for the establishment of an English Teaching School and to carry on its management.

Messrs. Peter Anthony D‟Abreo (Chairman), Ignatius M. Drego (Secretary), Anthony Fernandes

(Treasurer), Peter Dominic Gonsalves, Anthony F. D‟Penha, Joseph Isidore Pereira and Francis

Pereira.

The Committee approached the Bombay East Indian Association to open an English Teaching

School under its auspices. In the meantime, subscriptions were collected for the construction of a

school building. The School was opened in 1895 under the auspices of the East Indian

Association and was temporarily housed in a residential quarter belonging to Mr. Peter Gomes.

The Committee having collected subscriptions started the construction of the building but due to

insufficient funds and the outbreak of plague it was not completed till some time later.

In the year 1906, the late Mr. David Gostling, Architect, a resident of the Palli Hill generously

rebuilt the School and in1924 the building was further extended in order to accommodate the

steady increase in the number of pupils.

The School is a Primary School teaching upto the III Standard and like other primary schools in

the town serves as a feeder to the High Schools. It has 130 pupils on the roll.

The affairs of the School are vested in a Board of Management and Trustees appointed from the

village of Palli.

The School is registered by the Bandra Municipality under the Bombay Primary Education Act

and receives a grant from the School Board of the Municipality.

President – Mr. Leo Rodrigues, B.A. LL.B., J.P., Vice-President – Mr. L.F.Gonsalves, Hon.

Secretary – Mr. M.D.Fonseca, Hon. Treasurer – Mr. I.F. Pereira, B.A., Education Secretary –

Mr. C.P.Gonsalves, Trust Secretary – Mr. J.A.Drego, Members – Messrs I.M.Drego,

T.V.D‟Abreo, N.N. Fonseca, Edward S. Pereira, M.L. Drego, D.F.Preira, Anthony Drego,

B.A.,B.T.Ammon Rodrigues, Gregory Rodrigues, B.A., P.A. D‟Abreo, B.B.Conceicao, Felix

Pereira.

Antique Photos of St. Andrews Church (courtesy Walter Murzello)

St. Andrew Church Built in 1575

(taken from the Archives of the East Indian Association Silver Jubilee)

Withstood the terrible cyclone of 1618

Survived the Maratha invasion of 1739

Underwent repairs in 1764

Roof and ceiling renewed in 1823

Surrounding wall built in 1862

General repairs carried out.Paved with Marble, Porch added in 1890.

Main Altar rebuilt in 1900

Roof renovated in 1931

Front and side Compound walls rebuilt and gates replaced in1934.

Monument of Christ the King erected in 1935

Coming down to us with scarcely a change or modification in its construction, this venerable

building – the cradle of Christianity in Bandra and the scene of religious splendours during its

long existence speaks to us across centuries of faith, and down the corridors of Time one

visualizes the line of its 70 or 80 vicars that have preached the Word of God to no less than

twelve generations of Christians. At the head of this long line stands the Jesuit father Manoel

Gomes the founder and builder of the church. In the middles distance comes Father Cactano de

Mella,the last of the Jesuits, whose sad lot it was to see Bandra pass to the Marathas in 1739 and

St. Andrew‟s deprived of its Vicar for well-nigh ten years. Here one must pause to reflect – No

priest, no sacrifice, no Sacraments, no consolation – a Good Friday lasting for decade of years !

what must have been the state of the faithful ? well might the angels have wept.

From the middle of 1749 there has been no gap in the sacred Ministry-Thank God.

The Very Rev. Fr. D. de Sa is responsible for several important additions and improvements to

St. Andrews Church notably for the monument in Carrara marble, to Christ the King which

stands in front of the Church

“The Grace and Beauty and Benediction” – as a memorial unto the future.

By nature Fr. de Sa is a conservative of the right type and among the many gifts and qualities

that go to the making of this cultured Vicar of St. Andrew one appreciates this trait in him – his

thinking in terms of centuries which has been saved for posterity many an object precious in the

sight of scholar and antiquarians. Were it not for this rare gift the incomparable pulpit and the

two side Altars might have been lost.

A Roman in taste and a believer in the classic phrase : aut Caesar aut nullus (either Caesar or

nobody) he is chary of new projects.”Show me a better way” he seems to say to those well-

meaning souls who come to him with suggestions for changes. In Fathers de Sa‟s sictionary there

are no “new lamps for old” unless the old has served its purpose and is antiquated. Then the

result is in keeping with the object – superb !

If religious organizations are any criterion to the spiritual life of a Parish then the various

association that have received fresh life under the aegis of Father De Sa and those that have seen

the light of day during his regime should have passing reference :-

The Confraternity of Bom Jesu

The League of the Sacred Heart

St.Anthony‟s Guild

The Third Order of St. Francis

The Tabernacle Society

The Men‟s Sodality

The Ladies‟ Sodality

Well may the Parish of Saint Andrew pride itself in its enterprising and scholarly Vicar.

St. Stanislaus High School , Bandra

(taken from the Archives of the East Indian Association Silver Jubilee)

St. Stanislaus High School, Bandra, can look back with gratitude over the 73 long years of its

existence. With gratitude, for the privilege of having been able to work for so many scores of

Indian boys, mainly of Salsette and Bombay.

With the assistance of Government and some generous friends, the Fathers have not neglected

the development of the School in the improvement of the building and equipment. Recently was

completed a Shed, where the boys can play during the rainy weather. It serves besides the double

purpose of being hall for drill during the year and for those musical and dramatic entertainments

that go to build up the school spirit.

The playground of the senior boys has finally been rounded off into a spacious field worthy of

the name.

The new lavatories fitted out according to modern requirements, the baths with an ample supply

of water are improvements that every boarding establishment has to stress. We are also glad to

add that with the substantial assistance of two good friends of ours we have been able to build

the now well known swimming pool.

The success in the university and other examinations gives the satisfaction that the school is

progressing along the right lines.

The painstaking efforts of the staff in the regular work of the school as well as their willingness

in undertaking incidental extra hours has been a welcome assurance of their whole-hearted

support.

The annual display organized by the Municipality could be held on a grander scale on our newly

enlarged playground. The lads certainly rose to the occasion and managed to secure as in

previous years some of the most coveted trophies.

The inter-class tournaments have been more keenly contested this year sparred on by the

prospect of being the proud holders of a challenge cup. This spirit of enthusiasm is due to the

two challenge cups for football and swimming presented by Mr. Marshal de Mello and to be

contested for by the various classes.

Rev. Fr. B. Irache, S.J. has managed to unearth the musical talent of the school and to give it

form in an orchestra and choir.

The Salsette Co-operative Housing Society, Ltd.

By D. E. Pereira A.C.R.A

(taken from the Archives of the East Indian Association Silver Jubilee)

The Salsette Catholic Co-operative Housing Society, Ltd. was formed in 1918 with the object

inter alia of acquiring for its members plots of land in the vicinity of the railway stations in

Salsette for residential quarters equipped with the necessary amenities.

It was the late Mr. F. A.C. Rebello who with rare foresight realized that the indigenous

Christians of Bombay, Salsette, Bassein and Thana were slowly being ousted out of their original

holdings in Bombay, a great part of which belonged to them and felt that the same fate would

overtake them in respect of their lands at Bandra. The idea conceived, was to get the Society to

become the owners of plots in the area, and, as these plots belonged almost entirely to the

members of the East Indian Community, to parcel them out amongst the members of the

Community principally.

The area to be acquired was 69 acres, and the acquisition of these land by private negotiations,

belonging as they did to a large number of owners, was a stupendous task. Mr. Rebello, and

those who worked with him, soon found out that the only way of acquiring some of the lands

was to induce the owners to bring their lands into the scheme on the condition that plots of 100

sq. yds. Equivalent in area to three-fourths of their lands would be given in exchange. It was

understood that they would pay all betterment charges.

One of the largest owners was the Late Mr. P. C. Gonsalves and were it not for his willingness to

merge his lands and his personal influence he exerted on other owners, it would have been very

difficult for the society to secure the lands which it now has and on the terms on which they were

acquired.

The Society purchases certain lands and persuaded other owners to bring their lands into the

Scheme. But the difficulties in the title of the owners loomed large and the only solution was for

the Society to apply to Government for the acquisition of the whole areas under the Land

Acquisition Act so that the lands would then be free form encumbrances and other

complications.

The first road to be constructed was the Perry Road, named after the very popular Collector, Mr.

E. W. Perry. Government contributed towards the cost of this road as it served to give access to

the lands in the Danda Government Scheme. As the total area was vast involving 69 acres, and as

the resources of the Society, were limited, it took several years before progress in road

construction could be made. The efforts of Mr. Rebello, of Messrs. Ign. De Monte, Leo

Rodrigues and Prof. Almeida as Presidents of the Municipality and of Dr. Dias as Chairman of

the Society and President of the Municipality as well of Mr. J. R. Athaide went a long way to

hastening the construction of the roads.

The St. Sebastian Homes Co-operative Society, Ltd

By D. E. Pereira A.C.R.A

(taken from the Archives of the East Indian Association Silver Jubilee)

The St. Sebastian‟s homes Co-operative Society Ltd. Was established in 1918, being registers

under the Co-operative Societies Act II of 1912. It was founded by the Late Mr. F. A. C. Rebello.

It was primarily intended to provide cheap housing accommodation for poor Catholic students

and families of the Goan Community by having a hostel for boys going to school with a work-

room, garden and playground, and also to provide building plots for members desiring to build

their own houses. For this purpose a tract of land admeasuring about 40,500 sq. yds. was

purchased in the first instance, 33,600 square yards, from one J. D. Mistry and about 7,000

square yards from several other owners. Immediately after these purchases, the land market rose

in price and it was not possible for the Society to extend its area except with the aid of

Government under the Land Acquisition Act.

In 1920, the Society applied to Government for acquisition of certain area for the Society, but

simultaneously Government had mooted a scheme for the development of the chapel Road area

known as the Chapel Road Scheme No. VIII. Mr. F.A.C. Rebello who had taken the initiative in

this matter came to know that his application for acquisition would not be successful. His next

move therefore was to ask the land owners of that locality, who were chiefly East Indians, to join

his Society and to bring in their lands into the Society. The Society agreed in return to grant them

building plots in proportion to the land brought in by each of the land owners.

The East Indian landowners found themselves in a dilemma. They, however, preferred to join the

Society, rather than allow their ancestral buildings to pass out of their hands altogether, which

would have been the case, had Government acquired their lands as intended.

This influx rejuvenated the Society which acquired about 25 new members with an additional

area of about 12.5 acres of land (60,500 sq. yds.) which is the total area owned by the society in

the Chapel Road Scheme. The additional area solidifies the Society‟s rights as a substantial

owner and the Development department were forced to return land to the Society after deducting

a quarter of the area for roads. With fresh invasion of members together with their lands, the idea

of having the hostel, etc. was abandoned.

The Society has since been working progressively and has attained the enviable position of

having paid up all its dues to the Government.

List of East Indians Office Bearers of the Society

Presidents:-

Dr. D. A. D‟Monte, K.S.G., M.D., F.C.P.S., J.P. 1921-1933

Dr. P. A. Dias, L.M. & S., 1922 to date

Chairman, Managing Committee:-

Mr. A. A. Pereira, 1920-1921

Dr. P. A. Dias, 1921 to date.

Secretaries and Treasurers:-

Mr. P. N. Pereira, 1925-1928

Mr. L. M. Ferreira, 1929-1933

An email sent on the history of Bandra

Bandra was a tiny fishing village inhabited Kolis (fishermen) and farmers.

It was acquired by the British East India Company while the rest of Bombay belonged to the

Portuguese.

There was an 18 hole golf course in Bandra called Danda Green with an English style Club

House on the top of the hill, surrounded by trees. Membership was only for the British who

lived in Pali Hill. Each cottage had a stable for horses.

Bandra consisted of the villages Sherly, Malla, Rajan, Kantwady, Waroda, Ranwar, Boran,Pali

and Chuim. Ranwar also had a tennis court and the famous Ranwar Club famous for its

Christmas and New Year eve dances. Most adults in Bandra worked for the East India

Company... and hence were called East Indians (incorrect statement...admin). In the Bandra of

the forties and earlier, large cottages with large gardens were available for rent at Rs 30 a month.

Marriages were celebrated for 8 days from Thursday to Thursday for a Sunday wedding and the

whole village was invited. Thursday was pig slaughter day and Friday was to make pappads for

drinks, Saturday to make fugias and bring water from the village well to bathe the bride or

groom. Sunday was the wedding ceremony and long reception.. Monday was day of rest and

to finish remaining food and on Tuesday the feet of guests were washed in exchange for

cash. Then farewell dinner on Wed and guests left on Thursday by which time honeymoon was

over.

Tradition has it that the suburb was originally known as Vandra or Ape as it was the home of

monkeys, then Bandor as the Portuguese called it in 1505, then called Bandera, Bandura,

Bandore, Pandara, Bandorah, Bandara and finally Bandra till a railway sign board finalized it at

the end of the last century. Salsette was originally separated by a tidal creek which Portuguese

called Bandora creek. English changed it to Mahim creek.

Bandra had 2 hills, Mount Mary hill and Pali hill. On 12th Apr 1867 the first railway service

was inaugurated with one train per day between Virar and Bombay. Bandra at one time was

peopled mainly by East Indians (original residents of Bombay Salsette, Bassein, and Thana), a

few Goans and Manglorian immigrants, Parsis, Muslims, Europeans and Hindu Kolis. Till as late

as the 30's Bandra had only one bus service from Pali Naka, Hill road to the Rly station. Other

people just walked to the nearest Rly station. After World War II the building boom started to

accommodate immigrants.

The five oldest roads in Bandra are as follows: Godbunder Rd, which originally ran from Mahim

causeway, then skirted Bazaar Rd, went past the Bandra talab (lake) and continued to

Godbunder. The Road was later made straight by cutting through the talab. Bazaar Rd began at

Godbunder Rd opposite the mosque and ran through the market keeping close to the coast which

is now the reclamation.

Hill Rd starting from the station went through middle of Bandra town, past St Andrews to

terminate at the foot of the Mount near Mehboob studio. Pali Rd began at St Peters and cut

through Pali village till it reached Danda. BJ Rd runs from St Andrews to Lands End, was built

by Byramjee Jeejebhoy and opened to public in 1878.

There are over 150 crosses at various places. Many crosses were built to ward off the

plague epidemic (1896-1906).The oldest is the one relocated in St Andrew's church

compound. Stands 17ft high and made of a single stone. It was originally in the Jesuit seminary

of St Anne built in 1610. The bldg was destroyed in 1739 and the cross was relocated to St

Andrews church. The surface is carved all over with 39 emblems of the passion of Christ. Bazaar

Rd is only 2 km long but houses a Jain temple, Ram Mandir, Hanuman temple, Khoja mosque,

Christian chapel and a Sikh gurduwara.

Main roads in Bandra, Perry, Carter, Bullock, Kane, and Bates were named after British

collectors and magistrates. Mr Carter was collector in 1924 and Mr Bullock was the Chief

Magistrate. Christians in Bandra are mostly of the Koli, Bhandari and Kunbi castes.. The

architect of Mount Mary's church was a Bombay architect Shahpoorjee Chandabhoy. The

basilica was built in 1904 at a cost of 1 lakh. Also the first time a non catholic was asked to build

the church. It was built to serve the garrison posted at Castella de Aguada- the fort at Land's End

road. It was destroyed in a fire in 1739 and rebuilt in 1761, the year marking beginning of

Bandra feast as it is celebrated today.

The walls enclosing the compound of St Andrew's church were built by a Parsi, Manockjee

Sorabjee Ashburner in 1862. It is recorded on a slab on the main gate of the enclosure.. In 1879,

Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy constructed a flight of steps from foot of Mt Mary hill to north side of

church known as the "Degrados de Bomanjee" ('Steps of Bomanjee')..

St Stanislaus started in 1863 as a 'Native Boy's orphanage', became a high school in 1923

and was the first English medium school in the suburbs. In 1661 when King Charles married

Catherina of Portugal, Bombay was given to England as part of the dowry.. Salsette was not part

of this treaty and remained with the Portuguese. In 1739 with the threat of a Maratha invasion,

the Portuguese appealed to the British for help and they suggested to the Portuguese to destroy

all fortifications around the chapel and the fortress Aguada. However the Marathas took over and

ruled for 2 decades. But after the battle of Panipat in 1761, Maratha power declined and the

British took over and Salsette including Bandra came under British rule. The Portuguese were

left with just Goa, Daman and Diu..

The English found in this newly acquired territory of Salsette thousands of Indian families

who were converted to Christianity.. It was from these families the English drew their supplies of

clerks, assistants and secretaries. At that time there was hardly a Hindu, Parsi or Muslim who

could read Roman characters.

There was also a large influx of Christians from Goa, Karnataka and Kerala and this prompted

local converts to take the name of 'East Indians' and form the East Indian Association on 26th

May 1887 to distinguish the 'sons of the soil' who were the first employees of the East India

Company, from Indian Christians who came from further down the West coast and shared the

same names and religion, and vied for the same jobs. Crossing the Mahim creek was by ferry to

the industrial town of Bombay. After many boats capsized, a road was built by Lady Jamsethji in

1843 at a cost of Rs1, 55,800. It was designed by Lt..Crawford and opened to public in 1845.

Railway started in 1867 with one train but 6 yrs later it was increased to 24 each day and now

940 trains that stop at Bandra every day.The Tata Agiary on Hill Rd was built by Tata in

memory of his wife in 1884

1. Bandra's Beginnings In the 'Conquista Spiritual de Oriente' (about 1638) it is mentioned that in the pre-Portuguese

period (before 1534) the King gave Bandra to the Captain of South Salsette as it was the largest

village in the South Salsette District (Salsette is the island bounded by Thane, Kurla, Bandra and

Bhyandar).

Bandra became tributary to the Portuguese in 1532. Gerson Da Cunha in his "The Origin of

Bombay" (1900), gave us an abridgement of an account from 'Lendas da India'. In this account

there is a description of how Diogo da Silveira brought Thane, Bandra, Mahim and Bombay

under tribute.

In 1534, King Bahadur Shah of Gujarat, ceded Vasai, Salsette and the adjacent areas to the

Portuguese. Bandra thus became a Portuguese possession.

In 1548, Bandra, Kurla, Mazagaon and four other villages were given by the Governor of

Portuguese India to a certain Antonio Pessoa as a reward for his military services. This was

confirmed by the Royal Chancellery on the 2nd

February, 1550.

As these villages were given for a period of 'two lives', they reverted to the Viceroy after the

death of Isabella Botelha, the widow of Antonio Pessoa.

The Jesuits who had applied for these villages in anticipation of the death of Isabella Botelha

obtained them from the Viceroy in 1568 and the Royal confirmation was received in 1570. The

Jesuits were the owners of Bandra till 1739 when it fell to the Marathas.

Bandra was under the British from 1st January, 1775 till 14

th August, 1947.

2. Name The name of the place has undergone a metamorphosis from 'Vandra' (Marathi) to 'Bandora'

(Portuguese) to Bandra (English). Other variants were Bandor, Bandura, Bandera, Bandara,

Pandara and Bandorah.

3. Maps When a place grows in importance and fame we say that it is being 'put on the map'. It is

remarkable that 'Bandura' is boldly indicated on the maps of Dr. John Fryer (1672) and Jacques

Nicolas Bellim (1740) and other maps of the period. This fact will be appreciated all the more

when we consider that few places are indicated on these maps.

4. Port Before railways and roadways became common, waterways were the means of communication.

Places that were situated on waterways often prospered. Bandra is an example of this.

Bandra was (and is) situated on the south-west extremity of the island of Salsette; in fact Bandra

itself was called an island. It lay north of the creek or rather waterway that led to the Bombay

harbour. Before this waterway was rendered useless due to the building of the Mahim and Sion

causeways, silting and reclamation, boats used to pass between Mahim and proceeded via Sion

to the Bombay harbour. Therefore there were many fortifications on both sides of this waterway

: forts at Worli, Mahim and Sion on the South and two at Bandra and one at Kurla on the north of

this waterway.

The Jesuit, Fr. Monclaro, writing in the 1570s says that Bandra "is a harbour and a good stopping

place for the ships coming from the south or from the north and intending to move forward".

We have many references about Bandra as a port. For example, among the 'conditions' laid

down on 14th

January, 1665, when Bombay was being ceded to the English we have : "That the

port of Bandra in the island of Salsette nor any other islands shall be impeded and all vessels

from that port or ports, and others coming to them, shall be allowed to pass and repass very

frankly…"

In Vol. XIV, pg. 15 of the Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency (1882) Bandra is described as a

port and we can obtain the annual value of the imports and exports of Bandra from the years

1874-1881 from Vol. XIII, pt.2, pgs. 354 & 355.

5. Town, Village and Hamlets

Some of the early writers call Bandra a town. John Fryer who visited Bandra in 1675 writes :

"The town is large and houses tiled; it is called Bandura…. It is also called a village. Fr. Gomes

Vaz, writing in 1576 says : "Bandra is a very fine village". This large village was comprised of

more than 20 hamlets or 'pakhadis'. Today each of these is popularly called a village but

technically they are hamlets.

From the church registers, other records and gravestones we know the names of the extant and

extinct hamlets.

a) The following hamlets (pakhadias) existing during the Portuguese period - ending May 1739)

may be mentioned:

i) Chuim cultivators

ii)Candely - cultivators - extinct after 1732 - near Chuim

iii) Rajan - cultivators - Port. Rajana

iv)Sherly - cultivators - Port. Sellaly

v)Malla - culltivators - Port. Mallem

vi) Palli - cultivators - Port. Pallem

vii) Parvar - cultivators - extinct after 1853 - between Dr. Ambedkar Road and Khar Gymkhana

viii) Old Kantwadi - cultivators - Port. Horta de Santo Andre - N.B. New Kantwadi comes into

existence in 1817- likewise hamlet of cultivatorix)

ix) Ranwar - cultivators - Port. Ranoar

x) Boran - cultivators - Port. Dandacavar

xi) Tank - cultivators - Port. Tanque

xii) Patarvar - cultivators - extinct after 1817- north of St. Joseph Convent.

xii) Santa Cruz - toddy-tappers and cultivators

xiv) Khar - Bois and "cavoqueiros" - Port. Salgado

xv) Cumbarvara - Bois and potters - near Khar

xvi) Catirvara - Bois - near Khar

xvii) Povoacao - Portuguese and their household staff - D‟Monte Street extending to the old

Slaughter House site.

Besides the above there were the following localities: miscellaneous population - near Povoacao

xviii) Horta do Bazar (Bazar Oart ) - "Faras" - scavengers - near Chinchpokli Road

xix) Rua do Bazar - (Bazar Streert) -miscellaneous populatiom

xx) Rua dos Tintoreiros (Dyers‟ Street)- miscellaneous population ; located most probably near

the Bazar

xxi) Rua Baixa (Lower Street) -

xxii) Bazar- mixed population - location at present Bandra Bazar

All the above pakhadis (hamlets) , the Povoacao and the four localities comprise the parish of

Santa Anna (Old Slaughter-house site - between the railway lines and Swami Vivekanand Road.

Also belonging to the parish of Santa Anna are potters, toddy-tappers, weavers, mainatos

(washermen) and other non-Koli groups/castes not ascribed to any particular pakhadi/locality.

To St. Andrew‟s parish pertained all the koliwadas (hamlets inhabited by Kolis) thus:

i) Colaria Grande - near Chapel Road

ii)Colaria de Meio - Bazar area

iii} Colaria Mora - near Bandra Bunder

iv)Colaria Naopara - Old Ghodbunder Road

v) Colaria da Igreja - Chimbai

vi) Colaria Zaitucali - north of Mount Carmel church

vii) Supali - Near Supali Talao ground

viii) Colai - Near Seaside Cemetery

N.B. The first six above named koliwadas are mentioned in the baptismal register of Santa Anna

because some of the godparents of children/persons baptised in Santa Anna were parishioners of

St. Andrew‟s.

6. Fertile Fields The island of Salsette on which Bandra was located was often referred to as a granary. Dr. John

Fryer who visited Salsette in 1673-75 writes :"the ground excellently fertile either of itself or by

the care of the inhabitants, that it yields as good Cabbages, Coleworts and better Radishes than

ever I yet saw: Besides Garden - Fruit, here are incomparable Water-Melons, and Onions as

sweet, and as well tasted as an Apple; and for the natural growth of the soil, it is known not only

to supply the adjoining Islands, but Goa also. It is more than 20 Miles in Length and 70 in

Circumference".

In Bandra itself there were extensive paddy fields, vegetable gardens and coconut 'oarts'.

Besides there were mango groves on the hill-sides and brab trees in other areas.

Rice was the chief crop grown in Bandra. When there was friction between the English in

Bombay and the Portuguese in Salsette, "the Portuguese forbade the export of rice from Bandra"

(Gazeteer, Vol. XIII, Pt. 2, pg. 478)

Humbert, in his 'Catholic Bombay, Her Priests and their Training' informs us that in 1706, there

was a loss suffered by St. Paul's College, Goa, due to the plague among the farmers in Bandra. Information from various sources and archives and courtesy of Clarence Fernandes and Fr Larry Pereira; Information taken from the book 'Bandra - the

Catholic Heritage' in publication.

Dilip D'Souza - 09 Mar 12:21 pm IST

Dilip D'Souza Dilip D'Souza

#InThisCorner #Bandra #Castella de Aguada #St. Andrew's Church #catholics

Mr Reis used to be a regular Friday morning guest at our Bandra flat. Tall, ramrod straight and

hearty, he would spend an hour with my Uncle Joe, saying the rosary, chatting about the

relatives, offering to shop for necessities. For me, he always had a cheery greeting and few

questions: How's the niece in California? What happened at the doctor last week? Ah, I wish I

could play tennis with you!

Mr Reis was 70-plus at the time - 15 years ago - and a heart patient himself. Yet as he strode

through the suburb's tree-shaded lanes and past the ever fewer old bungalows, he'd work up a

brisk pace. He was on what he called his "rounds", roaming the suburb to spend time with its

lonely older residents.

Older, that is, than Mr Reis himself.

His visits always touched me. Why would a man do this, entirely on his own? Yet the spirit that

moved him - reach out to my neighbour, whoever it is - seems remote indeed when Bandra folks

whisper with apparent alarm, as many do, that Pali Village is becoming Ali Village.

Ranwar is becoming Anwar. Chimbai is now ChimbHai.

You get the picture.

In Bombay, Bandra is the "queen of the suburbs", with good reason. It was always a cooler,

slower, leafier escape from the grime and pace of the city. If Bombay throbs with life day and

night, Bandra, 15 km north of downtown even with a Sealink in place, seemed forever where the

throbbing muted, life became gentler. People came here to breathe clean air, to enjoy the space

and the sea, to relax. As recently as 60 years ago - if that's recent, of course -there were large

fields of rice here. They were interrupted only by the occasional sprawling bungalow built by the

intrepid Bombayite who realised living here was even better than visiting. (One such told me

about the fields).

Which is not to say that all was always peace and quiet. At Land's End, overlooking the said

Sealink, is a hulking reminder of that. Bandra Fort is now a haunt for lovers and home to an

amphitheatre where eclectic concerts play out. But once upon a time ...

... well, it never was much of a fort, really. "Castela de Aguada" was built by the Portuguese in

1640. Their warships would stop here for water, hence the name. By then, Bandra had been in

Portuguese hands for over a century. Battles had raged up and down this coast through the 16th

Century, as the Portuguese mounted campaigns from the sea, ravaging the country. In 1534, a

sea captain called Diego da Silveira entered Bandra creek and burned the fishing town he found

there. With that, Bandra came under the rule of the Portuguese crown.

This turmoil was the start of a long period of Christianization of Bandra (something today's

residents would do well to remember). It was Father Manuel Gomes who really turned the

Catholic Church into the institution it has become here. In 1580, he baptized 2,000 fishermen,

and that was just a beginning. By the time he died 11 years later, Father Gomes' "invincible

strength of soul" - as one historian described it -had converted 6,000 people of the area. It was

Father Gomes who established St. Andrew's church, the flag-bearer of Bandra Catholicism

today.

To go with Christianity's spread, the military power of the Portuguese, notwithstanding Castella

de Aguada, declined. Ostensibly so they could together resist the growing threat of the Dutch,

Portugal and England entered into an pact under which Bandra was ceded to the English. This

was not a popular move among its residents, whether Portuguese settlers, converted fishermen or

Jesuits. There are reports of the time that tell of Jesuit priests throwing "bomb-shells" at English

ships in the creek. Such inflammatory acts took their toll, and pact or no pact, relations between

the two European powers - at least in Bandra and surrounds -went steadily down Pali Hill.

Still, their joint influence is apparent even today. Most Catholics in Bandra have Portuguese

family names (even if the spellings are sometimes apostrophised): "D'Cunha", "Heredia" and

"D'Souza" are three. But the given names are usually very English: "John" and "Rosebud",

"Nigel" and "Lorna" and "Hyacinth". Where in the world you would find a name like "Ian

Pereira", except in these parts?

Yet the Cyril Noronhas, the Jonathan D'Limas, the Glynis Carrascos -they don't think their

names are at all unusual. And as Indianness has asserted itself over the last generation or so,

many Catholics have Indian first names, making for even more intriguing combinations.

"Javed Ferreira", "Nishant Machado", "Naresh Fernandes" and yes,"Dilip D'Souza" are, again,

names that could not exist anywhere but in this corner of India. (Though Sri Lanka's Thisara

Pereras and Ranjith Fernandos offer food for thought).

All of which hints at the cultural mixing which, despite its Catholic image, has always been

characteristic of Bandra.

So when cultural xenophobes in the community offer this stuff about"Anwar" and "Ali", I want

to ask them: have you forgotten your own history? How your own forebears forever altered the

character of Bandra?

Have you forgotten the spirit in Mr Reis?