Forgotten Truth of Historical Legacy Behind Naming of Roads, Maidans and Chowks in Mumbai !

As we are coming closer to municipal elections in Mumbai which is to be held on 16^th

February 2012, it is necessary to understand the functioning of Municipal Corporation. Naming of Roads, Chowks, Maidans which is one of the most favoured function today has a strong historical legacy which has been conveniently forgotten by the present elected representatives who recommend naming of roads, chowks, gardens  to suit their political and economic interests.

I want to share some historical reasons behind naming of Roads, Chowks and Maidans in Mumbai.

Jagannath Shankersheth was a businessman and a great philanthropist. He encouraged study of local languages – Marathi and Sanskrit. He was one of the biggest Maharashtrian landlords of South.Mumbai. His residence was a bunglow at Thakurdwar next to Zaoba Mandir. He donated a big chunk of land for Sonapur opposite Marine Lines Station for creamation of Hindus. Nana Chowk was named in his honour as Jagannath Shankersheth Chowk as the present D Ward Municipal Office and surrounding Municipal Land belonged to him and he gave this land for public utility services.

Tukaram Javaji was another landlord who owned the land comprising Chikhalwadi near Bhatia Hospital, Tardeo. He started Nirnay Sagar printing press to publish ancient Sanskrit scripts. Tukaram Javaji Road is named to commemorate his memory.

Narayan Dabholkar was another landlord who became first president of Property Owners’ Association. Narayan Dabholkar Road has been named after him.

Bhau Daji Lad was yet another Social Reformer who tried to maintain the historical heritage of the Bombay Island. The Albert Museum in Jijamata Udyan is named as Bhau Daji Lad Museum  in his honour.

Dr.Bhadkamkar was a popular medical practitioner who was people’s doctor. He served the people in is area selflessly and today Lamington Road is named as Bhadkamkar Marg  to preserve his memory.

The chowk at Walkeshwar has been named after Pandit  Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande who was a solicitor by profession but was a outstanding research scholar of Indian Classical Music. He resided in Walkeshwar near this chowk.

Bal Shastri Jambhekar –the famous first Marathi Journalist after whom Bhai Jeevanji Lane in Girgaum has been named, resided in this lane. Patrakar Din is celebrated on 6^th Jaunaury every year to commemorate his contribution to the field of Journalism. Dadabhai Navroji took lessons of economics from Bal Shastri Jambhekar.

Pandit Paluskar Chowk at Opera House is named after Pandit Vishnu Digamber Paluskar who popularized Indian Classical Music by establishing a musical school in Lahore before 1^st World War. Prof.B.R.Deodhar who runs a music school near Opera House and who follows Pandit Vishnu Digamber Paluskar’s style of music recommended the name of Shri Paluskar for the chowk.

S.K Patil Garden near Charni Road is named after veteran Congress leadr S.K.Patil who became first Mayor of Bombay after Independence. He encouraged large no.of social institutions besides leading Congress to victory in several municipal elections.

Gowalia Tank was a water tank of Lakshmi Narayan Temple. It was a place for organizing Congress Political Conferences. Gowalia Tank in now named August Kranti Maidan where Gandhiji gave a call to the British to Quit India and launched nation wide freedom movement.

Communist leader S.A.Dange turned a maidan at Parel into a mass meeting place for the Girni Kamgar which is now known as Kamgar Maidan.

Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar was staying in the BDD Chawls at Worli during his education days and he rose to become first leading Constitutional Luminary who was selected by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to frame constitution of India. Ambedkar Maidan at Worli near BDD Chawls is named in his honour.

The People’s Education Society was started by him and he set up Siddharth College and Marathwada University.

Sardar Griha is a hotel near Crawford Market where Lokmanya Tilak died. The funeral procession which was the biggest in the history started from here and ended at Chowpatty where he was cremated. The present statue of Lokmanya Tilak has been installed at the place where he was cremated.

Crawford Market has been named after Mahatma Joytoba Phule who was an outstanding social reformer. The market has been named after him as it is a leading market of Greater Mumbai and most of the members of his community operate from this market.

K.F.Nariman was a great lawyer and public spirited fighter against corruption who stood for people's welfare. It was he who opposed Backbay Reclamation which was stopped due to his efforts during British Rule. Nariman Point was named to commemorate his memory. Veer Nariman Road in Fort is named after him.

Sir Pherozeshah Mehta,  was a political leader, activist, and a leading lawyer. He pointed out the need for reforms in the Bombay municipal government, and later he drafted the Bombay Municipal Act of 1872, and is thus considered the father of Bombay Municipality..He became the Municipal commissioner of Bombay Municipality in 1873 and its President four times - 1884, 1885, 1905 and 1911. He was chosen the president of Indian National Congress in 1890. Pherojshah Mehta Road popularly known as P.M. Road is named after him.