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Johnson Market in Bengaluru was set up in 1929 on a Persian trader's stable
Tucked away in a narrow bylane between Richmond Town and Hosur Road is the old-worldly Johnson Market. With residential and commercial establishments all around it, its box-sized eaterie are pit-stops for the common man and celebrities alike.
Extensions to the old Bangalore Pete and the growing population mandated the formation of newer markets towards the end of the 19th Century.
Close on the heels of the Russell Market, built in 1927 and City Market in 1928, Johnson Market was established in 1929. It was commonly referred to as Russell Market's "poor cousin".
Named after a former British civil servant, Johnson Market was initially called Richmond Town Market since it served that locality.
Arun Prasad, independent researcher on Bengaluru's history and head of Discover Bengaluru, told ET that Johnson Market served the local population predominantly comprising traders, domestic servants of the British, gardeners and butchers.
Named after a former British civil servant, Johnson Market was initially called Richmond Town Market since it served that locality.
Arun Prasad, independent researcher on Bengaluru's history and head of Discover Bengaluru, told ET that Johnson Market served the local population predominantly comprising traders, domestic servants of the British, gardeners and butchers.
"The land where Johnson Market was formed is said to have been a huge horse shelter belonging to Aga Ali Asker, a rich businessman (from Persia) who owned large tracts of land around Richmond Town," he said."Asker's home 'Arab Lines' was located right opposite Fatima Bakery." The large, two-storeyed, pistachio-coloured building was razed to the ground recently.
Aga Ali Asker also willed that a mosque be built nearby for a sum of Rs 800. "This was the Masjid-eAskari located in the Masjid-eAskari located in the market," said Prasad. He added that the authorities also appointed a market sergeant who looked after the maintenance and services at the market. Local traders and restaurateurs also credit the existence and development of the market to Sir Mirza Ismail, erstwhile Dewan of Mysuru. "He owned a lot of land here, all of which he is said to have donated for the cause of the community ," said Shahid Hussain, a second-generation entrepreneur at Fanoos, the famous Iranian restaurant that was started in 1976. "As a tribute to his contribution, the area came to be called as the Sir Mirza Ismail Nagar," he added.
Aga Ali Asker also willed that a mosque be built nearby for a sum of Rs 800. "This was the Masjid-eAskari located in the Masjid-eAskari located in the market," said Prasad. He added that the authorities also appointed a market sergeant who looked after the maintenance and services at the market. Local traders and restaurateurs also credit the existence and development of the market to Sir Mirza Ismail, erstwhile Dewan of Mysuru. "He owned a lot of land here, all of which he is said to have donated for the cause of the community ," said Shahid Hussain, a second-generation entrepreneur at Fanoos, the famous Iranian restaurant that was started in 1976. "As a tribute to his contribution, the area came to be called as the Sir Mirza Ismail Nagar," he added.
The market is famous for second hand third-generation traders who retain the old-world flavour of the market, said Prem Koshy , whose ancestors turned to Richmond Town to set up the city's first fully-automated Koshy's Bakery on Wellington Street in 1953.
"Johnson Market was a quiet neighbourhood back in the day , visited only by those living around it. But the growth of population and complementary establishments have made it more crowded and commercial," he said. "But the inherent nature of the market remains unchanged even today."
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