Mumbai’s Horniman Circle is one of the very few landmarks named after British man ,in post- independence India. The Horniman Circle Gardens is a large park in South Mumbai, India, which encompasses an area of 12,081 square yards (10,101 sq. m.)
The underground well at Horniman Circle dates back to the 18th century when wells were being constructed through philanthropists to serve as water sources. The well served to quench thirst of the cotton brokers, opium brokers, clerks and strangers and a banyan tree near the well providing an ideal resting space for commuters. This famous landmark used to be a muddy field called Bombay Green, where many merchants nested under the Banyan tree and carried on-the-go business transactions. The garden was planned in 1869 and completed in 1872 with well laid out walkways and trees planted all around. An ornamental fountain was placed in the center, but it was replaced by a modern art deco iron pipe design.The circle was named Horniman circle in the honour of Benjamin Horniman in 1947, and hence became what it is seen today as. Horniman Circle hosts the annual Sufi and mystic music festival, Ruhaniyat. The Ruhaniyat festival started in 2001, to promote Sufi and mystic music has evolved into a prestigious event.