Asiatic Society Mumbai, Town Hall Timings (History, Entry Fee, Images, Built by & Information)
Mumbai has its share of historic and colonial buildings and the Asian Society City Hall is one of them. Because of its history and connection to the British era, it is becoming an important must-see for any Mumbai visitor. The Asiatic Society of Mumbai Town Hall opens as a cultural center for British officers based in Mumbai. Since its completion in 1833, all official announcements and live performances have taken place here. Currently houses the Asian Society Library, the Central State Library and Museum, the Maharashtra Branch Libraries, the Additional Comptroller of theStamp Office, the Maharashtra Women’s Board and the Post Office. The historic building of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai City Hall is located in the Fort district of Mumbai overlooking Horniman Circle and its grand staircase has been an important filming location for many Bollywood films.
History of the Asian Society Mumbai City
Hall The concept of building a town hall was first developed by the “BombayLiterary Society” with the aim of preserving oriental literature, artifacts,culture and art. However, the public was only able to raise INR 10,000 through lotteries and donations, which was barely enough to complete the library and museum. The funds collected were far from sufficient to enable the construction of the entire town hall. As a result, construction was halted until the company received government funding in . It was not until 1833 that the construction of the town hall was completed.
History of the Asian Society in Mumbai
The Bombay Literary Society was established in 1804 by Sir James Mackintosh, one of England’s greatest jurists and socialites, with the aim of “promoting useful knowledge”. The Bombay Literary Society was inspired by Sir William Jones, who founded the Bengal Presidency Asian Society some two decades earlier. After merging with the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (RAS) it was renamed the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (BBRAS) in 1826. From 1841 the society opened its membership to the Indians and in the same year published its own journal entitled “Journal of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society”. After Indian independence, around 1954, the Bombay branch of the Royal Asiatic Society separated from the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland and was renamed the Bombay Asiatic Society.
Architecture of Asiatic Society Mumbai City Hall
The Asiatic Society Mumbai City Hall was designed by one of Mumbai’s finest engineers at the time, Colonel Thomas Cowper. The neoclassical architecture of City Hall is a blend of elements of Greek and Roman architectural styles, with a span of 200 feet and a height of 100 feet. While the entrance to the building has 30 steps, there are eight Doric columns at the entrance and a Greek portico behind. The entire structure is made of stone imported from England, while the old Burmese teak covering the floors and used to make the shelves was imported from Myanmar. A spiral staircase inside the town hall leads to terraces paved with wrought iron imported from England. There is also a flagpole on the building and the Indian national flag is hoisted on August 15th and January 26th every year.
Mumbai Asian Society City Hall Museum
The Corridor and Durbar Room of the City Hall Museum display beautiful marble statues and portraits of patrons of Asian society. Among other artifacts in the museum, there is a large collection of ancient coins and gold “Mohurs” from the Mughal period. Library of the Mumbai Asian Society in City Hall Mumbai Asian Society Library in City Hall is famous for its old collection of books, magazines, manuscripts etc worth 8 lakh. The library’s unique collection includes the 16th-century Sanskrit manuscript of the Mahabharata, the original 14th-century manuscript of the poem “Divine Comedy” and more than 3,000 manuscripts of books in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Persian and Urdu. . North Wing has been used as a library since the City Hall was completed and ismanaged by the Asian Society of Mumbai. This part of the library is only open to the public, while part of the south wing of the library operates as the central state library and is accessible to readers with a minimum contribution. The library’s entire manuscript collection has been digitized and can be consulted on the Society’s official website.
Entry Fee and Timings of Asiatic Society Mumbai Town Hall
Timings:
Asiatic Society of Mumbai Town Hall is open from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM on all days of the week except on Sundays. The town hall remains closed on Sundays.
Entry Fee:
There is a subscription fee rather. One needs to gain a resident membership or a reader membership to enter the town hall and access the books in the library. The membership charges are explained below:
The Annual resident member fee is INR 1,500 per person and the Lifetime resident member fee is INR 15,000 per person.
The Reader membership fee is INR 60 per person while the Annual reader membership fee is INR 500 per person.
P. S – Someone who donates an amount of INR 1,50,000 is invited to become the patron life member. Someone who donates an amount as huge as INR 5,00,000 can become a donor life member, provided they are willing to do so.
near by places to Asiatic Society Mumbai Town Hall
Horniman Circle (Former Elphinstone Garden), St. Thomas Church, Mumbai Samachar Building, Flora Fountain, Colaba Causeway, Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach, Malabar Hill, Fashion Street, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Chhatrapati Shivaji Vastu Sangrahalaya, Institute of Contemporary Indian Arts, National Gallery of Modern Art, Bombay High Court, Ballard Bunder Gatehouse and Taraporewala Aquarium are located nearby.
How to Reach Asiatic Society Mumbai Town Hall
Its very close to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminal (on the main line) and Churchgate (on the western line) stations, the Asiatic Society Mumbai Town Hall can be reached from both stations. you can hire a taxi from both stations to reach the town hall.
BEST buses are also a good option to reach the town hall. One may board a bus CST bus depot that is right outside the CST railway station.
visitors can also hire a cab from top car rental companies in Mumbai to reach the Town Hall.
