Documenting Bangalore's historical buildings – in pictures

  • History buff Babu Ajaz, whose family has called Bangalore home for 130 years, has made it his life's mission to collect and document as many of the city's old buildings as possible. All photos: Babu Ajaz
    History buff Babu Ajaz, whose family has called Bangalore home for 130 years, has made it his life's mission to collect and document as many of the city's old buildings as possible. All photos: Babu Ajaz
  • Babu Ajaz's 2022 digital calendar is dedicated to Bangalore’s famous schools, many of them more than a century old. He's been curating thematic calendars centred around the city, now renamed Bengaluru, since 2016.
    Babu Ajaz's 2022 digital calendar is dedicated to Bangalore’s famous schools, many of them more than a century old. He's been curating thematic calendars centred around the city, now renamed Bengaluru, since 2016.
  • Babu Ajaz runs a provisions store in Whitefield in Bangalore.
    Babu Ajaz runs a provisions store in Whitefield in Bangalore.
  • Sir Winston Churchill was believed to have frequented the Waverley Inn in Whitefield.
    Sir Winston Churchill was believed to have frequented the Waverley Inn in Whitefield.
  • The interior of Waverley Inn.
    The interior of Waverley Inn.
  • Another view of the Waverley Inn. Ajaz's family has lived in the same neighbourhood in Whitefield for 130 years.
    Another view of the Waverley Inn. Ajaz's family has lived in the same neighbourhood in Whitefield for 130 years.
  • Sir Ismail Sait Masjid at Kadugodi, Whitefield, which was built in the 1920.
    Sir Ismail Sait Masjid at Kadugodi, Whitefield, which was built in the 1920.
  • Initially, Whitefield was mostly inhabited by a farming community. It was named after David Emmanuel Starkenburgh White.
    Initially, Whitefield was mostly inhabited by a farming community. It was named after David Emmanuel Starkenburgh White.
  • Banagalore's first supermarket, Meer Sahib General Stores, opened in 1915.
    Banagalore's first supermarket, Meer Sahib General Stores, opened in 1915.
  • The shop was originally called Hamilton Stores, named after its first owner.
    The shop was originally called Hamilton Stores, named after its first owner.
  • Ajaz says, in the 1960s and 70s it was common for people to send their pet dogs to shop for groceries.
    Ajaz says, in the 1960s and 70s it was common for people to send their pet dogs to shop for groceries.
  • Imam's Hujraa or house at Kadugodi in Whitefield.
    Imam's Hujraa or house at Kadugodi in Whitefield.
  • Ajaz also runs a Facebook group called ‘Whitefielders past and present’ where members share fond memories of the neighbourhood.
    Ajaz also runs a Facebook group called ‘Whitefielders past and present’ where members share fond memories of the neighbourhood.
  • The group now has more than 4,000 active members.
    The group now has more than 4,000 active members.
  • Some old buildings in Whitefield still remain next to Meer Sahib General stores.
    Some old buildings in Whitefield still remain next to Meer Sahib General stores.