Date with history: An Indian-style market built exclusively for British cantonment

BENGALURU: Moving around in the busy Russell Market in Shivajinagar is not the most pleasant of experiences, what with shoppers and sellers fighting for every inch of space. There is not much that has changed in this market in the past 88 years of its existence. What are possibly as interesting as the story of how the market came into being are the details of its architecture and design.

The market was named after TB Russell, president of the Municipal Commission in the 1920s, in recognition of his leadership initiative in the project.

Historian Suresh Moona said the market was formed because of the growing require ments of the civil and military station.

"The cantonment was earlier only for soldiers. Gradually , army officers got their families along because they were stationed here for a long time.

To cater to their necessities, markets, schools, hospitals and entertainment venues emerged."

Apparently, it was a weekly market initially and one of the earliest meat markets in the city.

"Meat still remains one of its specialties," Moona pointed out.

Work on Russell Market started on August 5, 1927.

The facility was formally inaugurated by Hajee Sir Ismail Sait, a prominent businessman and philanthropist. Records state that the opening ceremony was conducted on a grand scale with an amount of Rs 269 and eight annas.

A market sergeant was appointed by the British administration to oversee its maintenance.Every year during Christmas, a carnival-like market show was held.Traders, largely Tamil-speakers, came from the surrounding districts, Moona said.

The market was designed by WH Murphy , executive engineer of the Cantonment Municipal Council for nearly 25 years. Apart from the Russell Market, Murphy is also credited with designing the Friends in Need Society building on Old Poor House Road, which sheltered the destitute after the fourth AngloMysore war (1799).

Murphy Town was named after him.

In his book `The City Beautiful', TP Issar mentions that the Russell Market was one of the few Indianstyle buildings in the Cantonment apart from the New Public Offices on Nrupathunga Road and the Gosha Hospital.

"The building has arched panels with ventilators on the first floor. The central entrance is emphasised by buttressed piers with octagonal 'chhatris' on top.The wings end with square blocks, each with a higher parapet, chajja and a squat dome with finial surrounded by four domiciles."