Where the time goes marching by

Where the time goes marching by
Deccan Herald

From 1870 right up to World War I battalions of the British Infantry were stationed in what was then known as Baird Barracks located North of the sprawling Parade Ground in Bangalore Cantonment. Every morning over 500 officers and soldiers in their flashing scarlet and gold coats would go on a route march towards the house of the British Resident in the building that now houses the Governor. The Union Jack would be raised accompanied by a full-throated rendition of the Empire’s anthem. The route was named Infantry Road in 1879.

Infantry Road has been renamed as Bhagavan Mahaveer Road in 2004, but it is still popularly as Infantry Road. A number of roads criss-cross the 3-km long Infantry road - Ambedkar Veedhi, Queen’s Road, Union Street and Central Street.

On one end, Infantry Road begins where the Ali Asker Road runs perpendicular to it. There are a number of public buildings on this stretch. The KAS Officers’ Association building was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister R Gundu Rao in May 1981. There is a new futuristic-looking auditorium beside it.


There is a Ladies Club, Police Commissioner’s official residence, Police tennis court and the Office of the Police Commissioner, which is a heritage building.

Over a hundred years ago the Police Commissioner’s Office was a leading hotel in Bangalore called the Cubbon Hotel. The facilities it advertised included “a ballroom, complete suites of bachelor’s apartments, carriages on the premises.” Its ownership passed on to the British Resident at the beginning of the 19th century. Some of the trees (on which bats live) on the premises are said to be over a hundred years old. The residential quarters of Income Tax Department is adjacent to the Police Commissioner’s office.

The Sri Vardhaman Sthanakvasi Jain Sangh is located on this road where the Jain community holds it ceremonies, festivals and get-togethers. Jain munis from different parts of the country often come and stay here. The CSI Hindustan Church is a landmark of the past.

Commercial hub

What was essentially a residential area in the past has now become a hub for commercial and multiutility services. Few colonial bungalows remain. One such bungalow is that of former police commissioner A R Nizamuddin.

The office of The Hindu is located next to the State Information Department, now demolished with a new half-finished structure coming up. The construction of the Rs 6.5 crore six-storey glass building has come to a standstill. Another building awaiting construction is that of the Bangalore Stock Exchange Limited. The once famous Kailas Hotel is also defunct and awaiting demolition.

Trendy buildings have come up along the road like Embassy Ikon, Embassy Square, Embassy Point, Prestige Opal, Prestige Nishat and Prestige Copper Arch.

Medical services are found at Elbit Diagnostics, Medinova Diagnostic Services and Medinova Daycare and Diabetic Centre. There are marriage halls like Infantry Wedding Hall and Gulistan Shadi Mahal.

Beginning from the Central Street junction onwards there are a number of furniture shops. Saleh Ahmed, the oldest of the furniture hirers was set up in 1926. There are several art and handcraft shops like National Cottage Emporium, United Cottage Industries Emporium, Cottage Arts Emporium and Sultania Arts Emporium.

There are a number of budget and boutique hotels such as the The Chevron Hotel, Hotel Ashraya, Hotel Infantry Court and Stay and Work (serviced apartments). There are also a number of restaurant and fast food joints like the Hypnos, Kabab House, Unicorn Family Restaurant and Smokin’ Joe’s Pizza.

Long before the the mall culture came into Bangalore, there was Safina Plaza which is similar to a large mall. The Turnbridge High School is located at the end of the road. Infantry Road is one of the Roads which has seen constant and continuous changes over the years.