India, Nov. 4 -- Bengaluru's Whitefield, now known for its sprawling IT parks, multinational companies and rapidly expanding urban landscape, has a history dating back more than 140 years. Long before becoming one of the city's major technology hubs, the neighbourhood was established as a settlement for Eurasian and Anglo-Indian communities in the late 19th century.

According to the Imperial Gazetteer of India (1908), Volume 24, page 387, Whitefield was established in 1882 on land granted by Mysore State. The historical record states, "It is named after Mr. D. S. White," referring to the founder of an association in Madras.

According to the official history of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Whitefield was named after David Emmanuel Starken...