English Literature – Travelogue ☆ New Zealand: A Kiwi Touch of India: Unraveling the Mystery Behind Indian-Inspired Place Names:  # 8 ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

☆ Travelogue – New Zealand: A Kiwi Touch of India: Unraveling the Mystery Behind Indian-Inspired Place Names: # 8 ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

We had planned a day-long round trip to the Coromandel Peninsula. We were pleasantly surprised to discover Bombay on the outskirts of Auckland.

Could you hazard a guess to tell us where these places and streets are located – Madras Street, Kerala Way, Cashmere Avenue, Simla Crescent, Amritsar Street, Delhi Crescent, Agra Crescent, Nagpur Terrace, Calcutta Street, Mysore Street, Lucknow Terrace, Baroda Street, Benares Street, Punjab Street and Bengal Street?

Where possibly would you find Gavaskar Place and Kapil Grove?

And: Khandallah, Berhampore, Dehra Doon Road, Darjeeling Lane, Ganges Road, Kanpur Road, Jaunpur Crescent, Birla Terrace, Rajkot Terrace, Surat Bay, Delhi Place, Rama Crescent, Karori Borough, Miramar Borough, Indira Place, Shastri Place, Sita Way, Lakshmi Place… You name it!

These intriguing place names offer a glimpse into a fascinating chapter of New Zealand’s history. Scattered across the country, particularly in cities like Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland, you’ll encounter a surprising number of streets and places with names of Indian origin.

A Wellington Wander:

 * The Indian Quarter: This historic area once thrived with Indian traders and shopkeepers. You’ll find remnants of this vibrant past in street names like Madras Street, Calcutta Street, and Benares Street.

 * A Touch of the Raj: Echoes of British India resonate in names like Delhi Crescent, Agra Crescent, and Simla Crescent.

 * Modern Echoes: Gavaskar Place and Kapil Grove likely honor legendary cricketers, suggesting a more recent wave of Indian influence.

Christchurch Chronicles:

 * The Spice Route: Streets like Mysore Street and Lucknow Terrace hint at the rich cultural exchange that once flourished.

 * A Touch of Royalty: Baroda Street and Punjab Street further add to the tapestry of Indian-inspired names.

 * Cashmere Avenue: It may allude to the famous Cashmere (Kashmir) shawls, reflecting trade connections.

Auckland Adventures:

 * Bombay Hills: This name directly links to Mumbai (formerly Bombay), highlighting historical connections.

 * Coromandel Peninsula: The Coromandel Coast in India shares a similar name, perhaps due to early European explorers making the connection.

Unveiling the Indo-Kiwi Connection:

Why are there so many Indian names adorning the streets and places of New Zealand? What intriguing stories lie behind these names? This is where the real adventure begins! Delve deeper, explore local archives, and uncover the fascinating history that connects India and New Zealand.

© Jagat Singh Bisht