Bengaluru has several neighbourhoods with fascinating stories behind their names, and Fraser Town is one of them. Known for its leafy avenues, heritage homes and old-world charm, this part of the city has a history that goes back to the British era. But did you know that the neighbourhood was named after a British official and that its development was shaped by a deadly plague outbreak?
How A Plague Outbreak Shaped Fraser Town
According to Hindustan Times, Fraser Town was named after Sir Stuart Mitford Fraser, an Indian Civil Service officer who served as the British Resident in Mysore. Before taking up the position in 1905, Fraser was associated with the education of several Indian royals, including Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, who later became the Maharaja of Mysore.
The neighbourhood was formally named in his honour, with a commemorative plaque at the junction of Coles Road and Mosque Road marking the occasion. According to the plaque, Fraser Town was christened by Mrs F J Richards in August 1910.
Interestingly, the area was known by another name before it became Fraser Town. It was earlier called Mootocherry, and much of the land comprised ragi fields and grape gardens before the township came into existence.
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From Ragi Fields To A Planned Neighbourhood
While the name has a colonial connection, the story of Fraser Town’s development is closely linked to the plague outbreak that hit Bengaluru in 1898. The epidemic exposed the problems of overcrowded neighbourhoods, poor sanitation and closely packed houses, prompting authorities to rethink how residential areas were planned.
As part of these efforts, Fraser Town was developed as a residential extension with more open spaces, less congestion and better sanitary conditions. The foundation stone of the township was commemorated in 1910.
The new layout also came with building regulations designed to tackle the spread of disease. These included measures to keep rodents away and reduce overcrowding, particularly important at a time when plague-carrying fleas spread through rats.
What was once agricultural land gradually took shape as a planned residential township. Historian Aditya Ramesh’s research, published in the journal Urban History, traces Fraser Town’s development and notes that the township eventually had around 400 houses.
It was also considered a model of sanitary town planning, with a relatively low incidence of plague compared to other areas.
Today, Fraser Town is very much part of Bengaluru’s urban landscape. But behind its familiar name lies a story of a British-era official, an epidemic and a neighbourhood that was planned in response to one of the city’s most challenging periods.
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Cover Image Courtesy: Facebook/Sabiha Javid
FAQs
How did Fraser Town get its name?
Fraser Town was named after Sir Stuart Mitford Fraser, a British Indian Civil Service officer who served as the Resident of Mysore.
Who was Sir Stuart Mitford Fraser?
Sir Stuart Mitford Fraser was a British official who served as the Resident of Mysore. He was also associated with the education of Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, the Maharaja of Mysore.
What was Fraser Town originally called?
Fraser Town was earlier known as Mootocherry. The area once had extensive ragi fields and grape gardens.
