Bangalore: A Journey Through Time

Barring a handful of photographs of ‘Blighty’ teahouses, rare newspaper reports, and the nostalgic recollections of a few old-timers, there is little available that truly brings Bangalore’s history of the last century and a half to life. However, Maya Jayapal’s Bangalore: Roots and Beyond bridges this gap, offering an evocative and meticulously researched account of the city’s past.

With remarkable attention to detail, Jayapal has pieced together fragments of history, nostalgia, and illuminating anecdotes from diverse sources, creating a compelling narrative of Bangalore’s transformation. Much like her previous work Old Singapore, which captured an era now nearly unrecognizable, this book provides a vivid portrayal of Bangalore’s evolution—from Kempe Gowda’s humble mud fort and bustling pettah to the metropolis of today, known by many sobriquets: the Garden City, the Silicon Valley of India, the Pub Capital, and beyond.

Through rich storytelling and a captivating collection of visuals, Bangalore: Roots and Beyond is more than just a historical record—it is a heartfelt tribute to a city that continues to evolve while holding onto the echoes of its past.

"Cities are not just built of bricks and roads; they are woven from memories, stories, and the souls who walk them."