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4th Cross Street, Pettah, Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
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4th Cross Street, Pettah, Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
Street scene, 4th Cross Street, Pettah, Colombo, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), with merchant stores and bullock-drawn carts. Date: circa 1910
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Media ID 14410949
© Mary Evans / Pharcide
Busy Capital Ceylon Colombo Lanka Merchant Narrow Pedestrians Shopping Pettah
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This evocative photograph captures the bustling scene on 4th Cross Street in Pettah, Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) during the early 1910s. The British colonial influence is palpable as European-style merchant stores with ornate facades line the narrow, cobblestone street. Native merchants and shopkeepers, dressed in traditional clothing, can be seen engaging with customers and overseeing their wares. The air is thick with activity as pedestrians navigate the crowded streets, while bullock-drawn carts laden with goods make their way through the throngs of people. Pettah, a native district in Colombo, was renowned for its bustling markets and vibrant commercial activity. The area was a melting pot of diverse cultures, with Tamil, Malay, Muslim, and Sinhalese communities coexisting and contributing to the rich tapestry of commerce. The British colonial administration, which ruled Ceylon from 1815 to 1948, played a significant role in shaping the economic landscape of the city, with the development of infrastructure and the establishment of European merchant houses. Despite the colonial influence, the street scene in this photograph retains a distinctly local character. The vibrant colors, the hustle and bustle, and the rich cultural diversity all come together to create a vivid portrait of life in Colombo during the early 20th century. The photograph is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the people of Ceylon, who managed to maintain their unique cultural traditions amidst the larger forces of colonialism and globalization.
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