Bhau Daji Lad Museum
Encyclopedia
The Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum (formerly the Victoria and Albert Museum) is the oldest museum in Mumbai
. It was originally established in 1855 as a treasure house of the decorative and industrial arts.
established the Central Museum of Natural History, Economy, Geology, Industry and Arts, the first museum in Bombay in 1855. George Buist took major initiative for its inception. In 1857, it was closed to the public and its collection was shifted to the Town Hall. In 1858, George Birdwood
was appointed curator of the museum. Soon, a committee was formed, comprising him, Bhau Daji Lad
and Jagannath Shankarshet to raise money for construction of a new building for the museum. The foundation of the new building was laid in 1862.
The construction of the present building in Jijamata Udyan in Byculla started in 1862 and was completed in 1871. The museum was opened on May 2, 1872. In 1975, this museum was renamed as the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum.
Between 2003 and 2007, this museum has undergone a major restoration under the supervision of the Mumbai chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and financed by the Jamnalal Bajaj Trust.
Tasneem Zakaria Mehta is the Honorary Director of the Museum and has a Board of Management and Trustees that include the Mayor
and the Municipal Commissioner
of Mumbai .
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
. It was originally established in 1855 as a treasure house of the decorative and industrial arts.
History
Lord ElphinstoneJohn Elphinstone, 13th Lord Elphinstone
John Elphinstone, 13th Lord Elphinstone and 1st Baron Elphinstone GCB GCH PC was a Scottish soldier, politician and colonial administrator. He was twice elected to the Parliament of the United Kingdom as a Scottish Representative peer, serving once from 14 January 1833 to 29 December 1834 and then...
established the Central Museum of Natural History, Economy, Geology, Industry and Arts, the first museum in Bombay in 1855. George Buist took major initiative for its inception. In 1857, it was closed to the public and its collection was shifted to the Town Hall. In 1858, George Birdwood
George Christopher Molesworth Birdwood
Sir George Christopher Molesworth Birdwood KCIE MD , Anglo-Indian official, naturalist, and writer, son of General Christopher Birdwood, was born at Belgaum, in the Bombay presidency, on the 8th of December 1832....
was appointed curator of the museum. Soon, a committee was formed, comprising him, Bhau Daji Lad
Bhau Daji
Bhau Daji Laud was a physician of the Saraswat caste belonging to Bombay , a Sanskrit scholar and an antiquary. He was born in 1822 in Mandrem, in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra.-Medical career:...
and Jagannath Shankarshet to raise money for construction of a new building for the museum. The foundation of the new building was laid in 1862.
The construction of the present building in Jijamata Udyan in Byculla started in 1862 and was completed in 1871. The museum was opened on May 2, 1872. In 1975, this museum was renamed as the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum.
Between 2003 and 2007, this museum has undergone a major restoration under the supervision of the Mumbai chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and financed by the Jamnalal Bajaj Trust.
Governance
The Museum is managed by a public-private partnership, a first for a cultural institution in India. The partnership involves the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, the Jamanlal Bajaj Foundation and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).Tasneem Zakaria Mehta is the Honorary Director of the Museum and has a Board of Management and Trustees that include the Mayor
Mayor of Mumbai
The Mayor of Mumbai is the first citizen of the Indian city of Mumbai. The person is the chief of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, but his/her role is largely ceremonial as the real powers are vested in the Municipal Commissioner. The Mayor also plays a functional role in deliberating over...
and the Municipal Commissioner
Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai
The Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai is the chief of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Though the Mayor is the head of the house, his role is largely ceremonial and almost all powers are vested in the Commissioner...
of Mumbai .