Horniman Circle Gardens
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The Horniman Circle Gardens is a large park in South Mumbai, India which encompasses an area of 12,081 square yards (10,101 m²). It is situated in the Fort district of Mumbai, and is surrounded by offices complexes housing the country's premier banks. The area was initially known as Bombay Greens in the 18th century. It was originally meant to be a large open space with grand buildings in the middle of the walled city. It had well laid out walkways and had trees planted all around. Later, the whole complex was named Elphinstone Circle after the then Governor, Lord Elphinstone.
In 1842, the area was just a dump of coconut shells and debris. The Police Commissioner Charles Forjett thought of converting the Green into a circle surrounded by buildings. He was supported by governors Lord Mountstuart Elphinstone and Sir Bartle Frère. The garden was laid out in 1869 and completed in 1872. An ornamental fountain was placed in the centre but was replaced by a modern art deco iron pipes design.
The area was renamed after India's independence in 1947 after Benjamin Horniman, a pro-freedom editor of the Bombay Chronicle.
The park was a favourite hangout joint of the Parsi community and in the pre-independence era, a band used to perform there every evening. The gardens overlook the Asiatic Society of Bombay a key landmark of the city.
