History of Bangalore

The Plague 1898-99

The plague that appeared in Bangalore in 1898, like the famine of 1876-78 was a major holocaust that changed the face of Bangalore.The plague took a toll of thousands of deaths in the Bangalore city and in the old district of Bangalore. This tragic development proved to be a blessing in disguise in the long run, as it helped the provision of many new amenities like improving the sanitation and health facilities in the old Bangalore city and helped its modernization. Plague in Bangalore was in a way the legacy of the railways.

Trade was almost at a stand-still during the plague season. The Government took every measure possible to face the situation preparing for it in advance. A plague Officer was appointed and the city was divided into four wards. Prizes were awarded to killers of rodents. Telephone lines were laid and were used on a wide scale in the city to coordinate anti-plague operations.

The epidemic helped Bangalore City to modernize itself by securing many modern amenities. Regulations were issued for building new houses with proper facilities of sanitation and provision for ventilation etc.The city came to have a Health Officer from 1898 and soon the Victoria Hospital was inaugurated in 1900 by Lord Curzon, the Viceroy.