When we think of Visakhapatnam today, it’s a bustling coastal city with a magnetism of its own, but did you know that it was once called the Brighton of India and likened to England’s iconic seaside resort? This intriguing comparison traces back to the British colonial era, a time when Visakhapatnam was gradually transforming from a quaint fishing village into a notable hub on India’s eastern coast. Let’s unravel the layers of history behind this fascinating label. Though Vizag’s origins date back centuries, its modern history took shape under the influence of multiple rulers.
The Mughals laid claim to the region in the 16th century, followed by European trading powers vying for dominance. By the late 18th century, the French held sway over the city, only to lose it to the British in 1804 after the Battle of Vizagapatam. Over the years, Visakhapatnam evolved into a district within the Madras Presidency and remained under British rule until India’s independence in 1947.
Fast forward to the mid-1800s, and English visitors arriving in Vizag couldn’t help but draw comparisons to Brighton, a celebrated seaside resort in England. These travelers, stepping off steamers, were greeted by the sight of surf-kissed shores and chunam-painted bungalows, a landscape that felt reminiscent of Brighton’s own coastal charm. Many colonial writings referred to Visakhapatnam, or more specifically its suburb Waltair, as “the Brighton of the East Indies,” or “Brighton of India.
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