Go on a cycle tour to trace the history of a family that was integral to the making of pre-independent Mumbai
Guests will pass Flora Fountain during the cycle trail
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Back in the early 1800s, a family from Baghdad set sail across the continent in search of refuge after escaping the tyranny of a Middle Eastern ruler. They landed on the port of Bombay, which back then, was a trading hub of the British. Like many other enterprising families of that time, the members of this family, too, started off as small-time traders only to end up amassing huge wealth in a very short period of time. What's interesting is that the family also made various philanthropic contributions in India, especially the fast-growing mercantile city. They built hospitals, schools, scientific institutions, ports and even temples, before disappearing from the city's landscape, over 100 years ago.
Co-founders Priyanka and Priyank Deshmukh with Yogesh Chande
If you're keen to discover how this family helped stitch Mumbai's fabric, sign up for a cycling trail titled, Bombay's Lost Baghdadis, with The Legend of Bombay Bards next weekend. "We love exploring and hunting for interesting stories, especially those that played a big role in the making of Mumbai. This story particularly intrigued us because the rise of this family's wealth in pre-independent Mumbai coincided with multiple events, which drastically affected world history. Establishing how their business practices and some big historic events were interlinked took a lot of research but we enjoyed the process of weaving the epic tale," says 29-year-old Yogesh Chande, who co-founded the travel storytelling company with Priyank Deshmukh and his wife Priyanka. They have organised 10 cycling trails so far.
The three-hour, 10km cycle tour will be conducted in South Mumbai. "We will take participants through this story, unveiling secrets behind various structures and landmarks in Colaba, which you never thought were remotely connected with the Baghdadis," reveals Chande. The trail will end with a quiz and the winning team will get a souvenir as prize. The guests are required to carry water and snacks, if needed.
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