India under British Raj witnessed widespread changes in the whole idea of lighting. In the case of public street lighting, oil lamps were used to light the streets. Later, gas lanterns became popular, which were soon replaced by arc lamps. Unlike Britain, which witnessed changes from the Georgian to the Victorian period, public street lighting in India was chosen selectively and the focus was to deter crime. The British Raj introduced lamp posts, which stand tall even today. The colonial history of lighting under the British also pinpoints disparities as street lighting was offered mostly in municipal areas and selective urban infrastructure. Asia’s first streetlights came up in Bengaluru in August 1905.

It will be interesting to note that the first street in Calcutta to be lit was Harrison Road and Jagadish Chandra Bose (where the outlet of MAHAL LAMP SHADES is located) by the municipal consultant of Kilburn & Co. The Bank of Bengal, which later became the State Bank of India, and the Bengal Club were being supplied power on a trial basis by the late 19th century.

In the case of indoor lighting, the Victorian period witnessed the use of interior fittings including chandeliers and sconces. The use of natural light in architecture was most prevalent. The chandeliers were suspended from the ceiling whereas the sconces were fixed to the wall. The candelabra was also an addition to the decoration and richness of the elite taste of the British and the Europeans in India.

The consumption habits of the Aristocrats in India during the Victorian and Edwardian era had given space to lifestyle Lampshades in India. Lamps made of Italian glasses were symbols of opulence among the rich. Witnessing that all seats of power of the British including the Governor’s House were lit up with chandeliers, the aristocrats themselves, being seats of power in their own domain, installed huge chandeliers in their palaces and even community dance halls.

A very interesting anecdote on Indian chandelier – The chandelier installed at the Taj Mahal has an inscription of Lord Curzon’s name, who thought that only a chandelier is befitting such a monument and to create an ambience of Arabian Night! Presented to the Tomb of Mumtaz Mahal by Lord Curzon, Viceroy 1906 written in Persian.

Keep reading our blogs to know about interesting anecdotes on Lamp Shades.