Austin Town, Bengaluru: Location, Connectivity and Nearby Areas

Austin Town, Bengaluru, has produced more international footballers than many Indian states, which is why some writers call it “Little Brazil.” Several of India’s early Olympic footballers, including Anthony, Kanniah and Shanmugham, came from these narrow Cantonment lanes. Even today, children here dream of playing for top clubs rather than making it in cricket.

The neighbourhood started out much more modestly, as a colony of cheap rental cottages for low-income families. Here’s where Austin Town is, how to get around, and what surrounds it.

Austin Town: The Basics

Built for Those Who Couldn’t Afford Much

Austin Town was founded in 1920 with a clear purpose: to build small cottages and rent them to lower-income families for very little. Key details:

• Named after: Collector James Austin, who encouraged the project.
• Residents: The cottages were in great demand among poor Indian and Anglo-Indian families.
• Sanitation: The drainage and sanitary works were designed by W.H. Murphy, the municipal engineer after whom Murphy Town is named.
• Community today: The area is mainly Tamil-speaking and once had a large Anglo-Indian population.

The Official Name

Austin Town was renamed Ferdinand Kittel Nagara in 1998, after Rev. Ferdinand Kittel, a German missionary of the Basel Mission who compiled a famous Kannada–English dictionary. A few sources describe Kittel as an 18th-century figure, but he actually worked in India in the mid-1800s, which makes him a 19th-century scholar. Almost everyone still calls the area Austin Town.

Why Austin Town Loves Football

Football is the heart of Austin Town’s identity. Here’s what makes its football history so remarkable:

• Early Olympians: Players like Anthony, Kanniah and Shanmugham, among India’s first Olympic footballers, came from here.
• Shanmugham: A local legend who is credited with leading India to victory at the 1951 Asian Games.
• Nandan Grounds: The local field is named after one of India’s greatest goalkeepers.
• Arjunan Shanthakumar: A midfielder who played in three Olympics and for top clubs like Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting. He grew up in Viveknagar, right next door.
• A shared passion: Football is a community activity, with families cheering on sons, brothers and neighbours from the sidelines for generations.

For football fans, a weekend visit to watch local matches is the best way to understand the area.

Getting Around Austin Town, Bengaluru

Metro

Austin Town doesn’t have its own station, but two metro lines are close:

• Trinity (Purple Line): The nearest operational station. From Vivek Nagar Police Station in Austin Town, it’s about a 23-minute walk (roughly 1.75 km).
• Metro timings: Purple Line trains run from about 5:34 am to 11:51 pm near this stop.
• National Military School (Pink Line): A new underground station on the Pink Line that will serve the Viveknagar area. It’s still under construction, with the underground section expected between December 2026 and March 2027.

Buses

Buses are the easiest way to get around the area. Near Vivek Nagar Police Station, you’ll find these routes:

• Main routes: 140-A, 141-E, 141-K, 146, 201 and G-2.
• Other routes: 140-E, 146-B, 146-F, TR-3, 201-N and 201-S.
• Early start: Route 201’s first bus reaches this stop at about 5:20 am.

By Road

Austin Town is central, so trips to MG Road, Richmond Town, Koramangala and Indiranagar are short. Autos and app cabs are easy to find, but the narrow lanes inside the neighbourhood can be slow to drive through.

Neighbourhoods Around Austin Town

Viveknagar

Viveknagar is next door and lies between MG Road and Koramangala. It’s close to the Army Service Corps headquarters, the Pioneer Corps Training Centre and the famous Infant Jesus Church.

Richmond Town

Richmond Town is to the west. It’s an older, more upmarket Cantonment neighbourhood with churches, Johnson Market and colonial-era schools.

Neelasandra and Agara

These are neighbouring localities, often grouped with Austin Town in bus and transit listings.

Victoria Layout and Linden Street

These are also direct neighbours. Victoria Layout is residential, and Linden Street is a local landmark for directions.

Y.G. Palya, Jayaraj Nagar, Ashok Nagar and Vannarapete

These surrounding localities form Austin Town’s wider neighbourhood. Ashok Nagar has larger roads and more commercial areas.

Koramangala

Koramangala is to the south-east and has many offices, restaurants and cafés. It’s within easy reach for work and nightlife.

Everyday Life in Austin Town

A few things to keep in mind if you’re visiting or thinking of living here:

• Community feel: Austin Town is close-knit and working-class, with strong local and sporting traditions.
• Location: It’s very central, close to MG Road and Koramangala.
• Language: Tamil is widely spoken, along with Kannada and English.
• Metro access: Trinity is walkable, and the new Pink Line station will improve access further.
• Narrow lanes: Parking is limited inside the colony, so walking or public transport is often easier.

FAQs

Q1. Why is Austin Town called Little Brazil?

A. It has produced many of India’s finest footballers, including early Olympians like Anthony, Kanniah and Shanmugham. Football remains the neighbourhood’s biggest passion.

Q2. What is the official name of Austin Town?

A. Ferdinand Kittel Nagara, after the German missionary who compiled a Kannada–English dictionary. It was renamed in 1998, but most people still call it Austin Town.

Q3. Which metro station is nearest to Austin Town?

A. Trinity on the Purple Line, about a 23-minute walk. National Military School on the Pink Line will be closer once it opens.

Q4. When was Austin Town established?

A. In 1920, when small cottages were built and rented cheaply to lower-income families. It was named after Collector James Austin, who supported the project.