The Business Towns

VBHC Serene Town, Bengaluru, has an unusual quirk online: even its developer’s own website seems to mix it up with another project. VBHC’s official page for Serene Town describes a…

Vagamon Town, Kerala, is surrounded by three hills, each sacred to a different faith. Kurisumala is a Christian pilgrimage site with a Trappist monastery, Thangal Para is a Muslim pilgrimage…

Vellore Town, Vellore, was the site of India’s first large-scale armed rebellion against British rule, and it was sparked by uniforms. In November 1805, the British introduced new dress and…

Dhemaji Town, Assam, has two competing explanations for its name, and both say something true about the place. One, from the Tai Ahom language, reads it as “old village.” Another,…

Richards Town, Bengaluru, still has its “conservancy lanes,” narrow back lanes behind the big bungalows that once let workers reach the houses for cleaning and other chores without using the…

Wandoor Town, Kerala, is served by a railway that once disappeared completely. The Nilambur–Shoranur line, which passes through Vaniyambalam station near Wandoor, was reconstructed after independence along its original alignment…

Sonari Town, Assam, is home to one of the first two tea estates set up by an Indian. Maniram Dewan, remembered as the first Indian commercial tea planter, established the…

Udalguri Town, Assam, is named after a tree. According to local legend, the area once had so many Odal (Udal) trees that the town took its name from them, with…

Naharkatia Town, Assam, owes its name to a royal execution. According to local tradition, an Ahom noble called Kalia Chaodang beheaded Prince Nahar near the spot where Naharkatia railway station…