Author: AT

In 1911, when King George V and Queen Mary visited Bombay — becoming the first British monarchs to visit India — they were greeted by an archway built especially for them: the Gateway of India. The Gateway standing there today is not the same structure that welcomed the monarchs. During their visit, a relatively small […]

Jamsetji Tata founded the Taj Mahal Hotel after being denied entry into a European-only hotel in Bombay. In response, he resolved to build an inclusive, world-class hotel open to all. Construction began in 1900, and the hotel opened on 16 December 1903. The hotel’s architecture combines Moorish, Florentine Renaissance, Oriental, and Rajput styles in a […]

From 1900 to 1947, Bombay underwent rapid industrialisation and urbanisation alongside the development of a strong Indian identity that stood independent of faith. This period witnessed the rise of Indian enterprise and philanthropy within a cosmopolitan colonial framework. Textile mills, shipyards, and docks expanded rapidly, driving economic prosperity and attracting a massive influx of people. […]

The Bombay High Court is one of the oldest and most significant judicial institutions in India. Established by Royal Charter in 1862, it administered the rule of law through both original and appellate jurisdiction and replaced courts such as the Mayor’s Court and Recorder’s Court. The Court’s iconic Gothic Revival building was completed in 1878. […]

A group of young mechanics and foremen from the Royal Mint and Government Dockyard formed the Bombay Mechanics Institute to promote knowledge and learning. In 1863, Baghdadi Jewish merchant David Sassoon donated ₹60,000 to build a home for the institute. Architects designed the building in the Victorian Gothic style between 1867 and 1870. The institute […]

Standing beside a bustling road is a landmark that has witnessed the evolution of the city for over a century. Its story begins in 1864, when the British unveiled an ornate stone fountain crowned with the Roman goddess Flora. The fountain became a symbol of Victorian Bombay’s civic pride and growing commercial strength. This vision […]

The University of Mumbai, established in 1857 following the British “Wood’s Despatch” educational reforms, is one of India’s oldest modern universities. Initially modelled on the University of London, it began as an examining body overseeing affiliated colleges before expanding into teaching and research. It played a key role in shaping higher education in colonial and […]

Only a few hundred metres away lies the endless expanse of the Arabian Sea. In this corner of the world, it ebbs and floods through the harbour as boats bob on its waves. From where we stand, the sea is flanked by an enormous sandstone structure on one side and an extravagant hotel on the […]

Perched atop a grand flight of steps lies Bombay’s Town Hall. This imposing neoclassical landmark houses an essential part of Mumbai and India’s heritage conservation: the Asiatic Society Library. The Asiatic Society of Mumbai was founded as the Literary Society of Bombay in 1804, when Sir James Mackintosh gathered a small circle of scholars interested […]