Bang opposite the lic building, the book store is a treasure house for old and new books of all categories. Indias oldest bookshop has been in existence since 1844. The oldest existing bookstore of india higginbothams. Higginbothams bookstore in chennai, india facebook. But nowadays the online book availability have reduced the need to visit this store often. Nov 15, 2011 higginbothams, indias oldestknown bookstore, began as a religious bookstore in 1844. One big proud of this book store is one of those names which closely associated with old madras. One of indias oldest and most iconic bookstores, higginbothams in mount road is still killing it.
How a british sea cadet set up indias oldest surviving. Higginbotham s is an indian bookstore chain and publisher based in the city of chennai. Higginbothams is one of the largest bookshops in chennai. Higginbothams the higginbothams one of my favourite book. The state of art in higginbotham, anna salai, chennai has an infrastructure that portrays the oldest indian architecture and methodologies of construction and a must see place in chennai. Fortunately, being a librarian, he found employment as a store manager of wesleyan book shop. Absolutely old world charm of book hunting nice musty smell of books loads of indian. Higginbotham s, chennai overview built in 1905, higginbotham s is the oldest bookstore in the city. Established by abel joshua higginbothams in 1844, higginbothams is indias oldest book store with a retail presence in high. The focus of higginbothams has always been to provide its customers with a wide selection of books, magazines, stationery and academic material. How a sea cadet from kerala set up indias oldest book chain in 1844 the 174yearold chennai firm embodies the passion for books of its founder, abel. Higginbothams chennai madras 2021 all you need to know. The store has a good collection of schoollevel academic books, new edition books and all engineering books.
Established by abel joshua higginbothams in 1844, higginbothams is indias oldest book store with a retail presence in high street. Since 1949, higginbotham s has been owned by the amalgamations group. Visit higginbothams book store on your trip to chennai or india. Established by abel joshua higginbotham in 1844 in madras, higginbothams is a landmark. For kids colourful and easy learning charts and all types of story books from various publishers from different places of the world are available here. I still find myself looking around for the one or two ive misplaced over the years. The historic building on chennais anna salai was given a facelift in 1989. Oct 16, 2019 higginbothams, indias oldest bookstore chain wouldnt have existed if it wasnt for sheer luck.
Higginbothams private limited book store, mount road. Higginbothams is an indian bookstore chain and publisher based in the city of chennai. The 174yearold chennai firm embodies the passion for books of its founder, abel joshua higginbotham. Jun 14, 2019 higginbothams became indias largest bookstore chain in the 19th century. The buildings heritage structure also adds to the experience giving major art deco era feels. How a j higginbotham, a british sea cadet came to open chennais beloved higginbothams, a 175 year old bookstore. History the higginbotham was established by the abel joshua higginbotham. Higginbothams private limited is one of the oldest and reliable book stores in chennai.
Higginbothams, chennai 2021 images, timings holidify. Higginbotham brothers serves texas for 8 years lbm journal. The oldest existing bookstore of india higginbothams, chennai, india. Joshua higginbotham, a british stowaway, founder of the. Every dogeared page of its 167yearold history has had booklovers thronging its aisles and taking back a. The higginbotham is one of the memorable standing buildings in chennai. Nov 15, 2015 amidst an onslaught of ecommerce websites selling books and invention of different digital reading devices, higginbothams, the oldest bookstore in chennai the origins of which can be traced.
History has it that prince of wales, later king edward vii, was a voracious reader. See 9 photos and 6 tips from 149 visitors to higginbothams. Higginbothams has high ceilings, tall book shelves, and old beautiful interior designs. Higgin botham book store at mount road, chennai veethi. May 14, 2020 the higginbotham private limited is one of the greatest book store in chennai. Yet, for immediate requirement of any book, this store is the best. According to recorded documents, the trees were just being cleared for the townsite and the central texas railroad had just made its advent in the area, when two brothers decided to open a general mercantile. Higginbothams chennai 2021 what to know before you go. Higginbotham s in chennai is indias oldest bookstore. Anantharamakrishnan of the amalgamations group took over the bookstore from the higginbothams. Higginbothams p ltd, commercial road, ooty, tamil nadu established in 1844 higginbothams bookstore in mount road, madras chennai is indias oldest bookstore thats still open. Before that this store was named as weslyan book shop. On saturday, i wanted to shop some books and wanted to visit one of my favourite bookstores in chennai. If youre serious about being an engineer you know you won.
Nov 24, 2012 the higginbotham s is an indian company of book sellers and publishers based in the city of chennai. The store catered to local theologians and largely sold religious works. Have visited this store several times especially whenever the required book titlesauthors were not available in near by stores. This book shop was originally started named weslyan book shop with abel as its librarian,in 1840 by protestant missionaries. Higginbothams private limited in mount road, chennai.
Indias oldest book store, one of the oldest and largest bookshops in operation in the world, chennais very own higginbothams, is an underrated. Higginbothams private limited in taramani, chennai asklaila. How indias oldest bookstore chain, the 174year old. He was actually ejected from a british ship by its captain at the madras port when he was found on the ship without proper papers for his trip. Aruna book mart, velan complex, station road, west mambalam, chennai 04424714171 stationery items, general books, competition books, aruna book mart, religious book store. In 1904, as the store completed 60 years, it moved to its present impressive premises on mount road. Higginbothams boostore, shopping place in ooty trip. Have visited this store several times especially whenever the required book. How indias oldest bookstore chain, the 174year old higginbothams.
Some reports say the englishman abel joshua higginbotham was a stowaway on a ship. Odyssey is a book store chain that commenced with its first book store at adyar, chennai in 1995. I have fond childhood memories of the store opposite to lic building, which was their head office, where often my father used to take me in the 1980s. Some reports say the englishman abel joshua higginbotham was a stowaway on a ship who was unceremoniously. Established by abel joshua higginbothams in 1844, higginbothams is indias oldest. The companys first bookstore at mount road, chennai is indias oldest. What started as a small bookstore on mount road in madras has. Founded in 1844 thats right, the bookstore is 176 years old. Apart from having the tag of the oldest living bookstore in india, higginbotham s has one of the best collections of books in the city. Set up in 1844 by a british stowaway, higginbotham s chennai s storefront has been around long enough to be considered indias oldest surviving bookstore. It has been one of every book lovers favourites since 1982. There are also some books on photography and comics. Higginbothams, the oldest bookshop in the home of flipkart. Unlike a lot of bookstores in the city, higginbothams has a pretty large section devoted to just tamil writing including fiction, nonfiction and magazines.
Although headquartered in chennai, higginbotham s has operations in bangalore and few other southern cities since 1891. Higginbothams pvt ltd, mount road book shops in chennai. Named after its founder abel joshua higginbotham, this legendary bookstore was established in 1844. Higginbothams in chennai is indias oldest bookstore. It was started in 1844 in chennai by abel joshua higginbotham and later moved to mount road. In short, with its wide range of the latest periodicals and books, its productive printing press, and its regional reach, higginbothams became an. Heavy oak doors, whitewashed brick walls and stained painted glass on the windows have been standing right there as other buildings around it have come and gone. No 81 cathedral road, gopalapuram, opposite to maris hotel, inbetween oriental inn and mrf car service station, chennai online shopping services, online electronic appliances shopping, online automobile services, online home services, online travel services, online book shopping. Higginbothams on mount road is, in fact, the first bookstore by the company. This bookstore is considered to be the oldest known bookstore in india.
This is the oldest and most renowned book shop in ooty. How chennai s higginbothams, indias oldest bookstore, is. The building itself is an iconic landmark sprawling over 0 sq feet, with its quaint tower, marble floors, high ceiling and stained glass windows. Ive got most of mine and graduated almost 30 years ago. The higginbotham s was established by an english librarian named abel joshua higginbotham. Higginbothams, the oldest bookshop in the home of flipkart, gets a. The companys first bookstore at mount road, chennai is indias oldest bookshop in existence. Indias oldest book store, one of the oldest and largest bookshops in operation in the world, chennais very own higginbothams, is an underrated gem, and deserves a bit more of celebrity than has. How a british sea cadet set up indias oldest surviving bookstore. Jan, 2010 the main store of higginbothams is located in mount road anna salai in chennai city in south india. The main bookstore at mount road, chennai has the reputation of being indias oldest bookshop in existence.
Higginbotham brothers began in late 1880 when jm higginbotham along with his family moved from water valley, mississippi to dublin, tx. Jul 15, 2020 see 9 photos and 6 tips from 149 visitors to higginbothams. Higginbothams private limited book store, mount road, chennai. An essential element of value hbc offers its customers is the quality of service these customers can expect from our stores.
Few know that higginbotham s that opened its doors in 1844, actually started out as a religious bookstore but has since then grown, housing books from various different genres. Higginbothams was already the citys goto place for books, stationery and related supplies. Jul 31, 2020 well, at higginbotham s in chennai, thats exactly what youre getting, as this chennai icon has the distinction of being indias oldest bookstore. And just like in the old days, book lovers of all ages.
Higginbothams chennai is 150 years old book store in the city. Higginbothams located at annasalai, the main arterial road of chennai is indias oldest bookstore. Higginbotham in chennai the higginbotham private limited is one of the greatest book store in chennai. Higginbothams, indias oldestknown bookstore, began as a religious bookstore in 1844. But the higginbothams bookstore in chennai kind of proves that wrong, still existing as the oldest bookstore of the country. Book lovers, become a part of literary history by checking out higginbothams in chennai, an iconic institution established in 1844 that holds the title of indias oldest bookstore and delights bibliophiles to. This book store is so popular that no book lover visiting chennai city can miss.
How chennais higginbothams, indias oldest bookstore, is. Except old timers, the younger generation of indians may not be aware that the book shop is an historical one and has the reputation of being indias oldest bookshop in existence. If you are a bookworm book lover based out of chennai, you would have certainly visited this store. From those period it was made remark as oldest book store in india. The first bookstore of this company is located at mount road, chennai and is still around. This store was formed in the year 1844 as higginbothams.
The book store has re mained there but branches have been set up at several. Varieties of books available in english and tamil of all famous writers and publishers. Road, opened in 1905 and is the oldest existing bookstore in the city. Visit higginbothams bookstore in mount road lbb, chennai. Higginbothams boostore commercial road, coimbatoreootygundlupet hwy, upper bazzar, ooty, tn 643001 phone. Higginbothams private limited chennai india, bookstore. Jan 26, 2018 founded in 1844, higginbotham s on chennai s mount road has the unique distinction of being the countrys oldest existing bookstore. Higginbothams book store a very old book shop, yet keeping up with modern times. The building, which sprawls over 15,000sqft, came up in 1904 when abels son c h higginbotham was managing director. This bookstore has remained a favourite among book lovers in the city since colonial times, was frequented by famous officials and prominent personalities of the time and has served as the official bookseller to the likes of prince of wales, hrh edward vii. A remarkable white building located on mount road, the store has a history that is just about as charming as its presence itself. But the mission was losing its profits and in 1844, when they decided to shut the store, they offered higginbotham the option of buying out the stock. The higginbotham store standing tall with pride is one such colonial structure. If you are a book worm and love the smell of the fresh pages of a new published book.
The companys second bookstore in bangalore, located at m. Higginbothams is the name of an individual, the founder of the book store. May 14, 2014 a guide book published in 1859 by john murray titled presidencies of madras and bombay listed higginbothams as a premier book shop. If you are a bookworm, then this place must be on your list. When ever i am going to chennai definitely having trip to higginbotham. It has now expanded to a space of 7,000 square feet with over 1 lakh books. Higginbothams was also appointed as his official bookseller when he visited india in 1876. Prabhakar, manager of andhra pradesh region recently posted at chennai, said, in 1949, s. Almost 175 years old, higginbothams houses different varieties of books and genres along with several stationary products and toys.
The mount road bookstore was set up in 1844 by an english librarian called abel joshua higginbotham. One of the oldest, iconic, and historical landmark in chennai is a haven of books. I have seen the higginbothams here in bangalore but i havent visited it properly yet. The main store of higginbothams is located in mount road anna salai in chennai city in south india. They also have a decent collection of artworks and souvenirs too. Before i go into the history and other aspects of the bookstore itself, i shall talk about mount road, to show why the location is as important, if not more, as the store. One can get any book right from history, religion, science, engineering, etc, etc titles. Higginbothams vr chennai shopping centre in chennai. It is opposite the lic building, chennai s first 10 storeyed building. Established by abel joshua higginbothams in 1844, higginbothams is indias oldest book store with a retail. Higginbothams chennai 2021 what to know before you.
This store is located opposite to iconic lic building of chennai. Mar 19, 2021 a sprawling bookstore housed in a heritage majestic building, higginbothams was established in1874,174 yrs ago by abel joshua higginbothams. A readers dream in white chennai news times of india. The higginbothams is an indian company of book sellers and publishers based in the city of chennai. Since 1949, higginbothams has been owned by the amalgamations group. Set up in 1844 by a british stowaway, higginbotham s chennai s storefront has been around long enough to be considered indias oldest. There are many such examples of the names of founders such as tata, bata and others.
If you are a bookwormbook lover based out of chennai, you would have certainly visited this store. As on date it has opened shops across the country in bengaluru, calicut, hyderabad, delhi, mumbai, jaipur, noida and pune. This is the one of the largest book store which is located in the heart of chennai city. This higginbotham were started by britishers at the period of indian under rule. Situated on the mount road in chennai, the bookstore was originally opened by abel joshua higginbotham a british stowaway. Independent bookstores where time stands still outlook.
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