Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum Mumbai (History, Entry Fee, Images, Built by & Information)

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Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum in Byculla is a place for entertainment, knowledge and relaxation. The museum is within Veermata Jijamata Udyan, near Mumbai Zoo, and it’s the oldest museum in the city.

At Bhau Daji Lad Museum, you can explore the rich history and cultural heritage of Mumbai. The collection includes artefacts, maps and manuscripts. Also, you will find clay models, photographs and books too, documenting Bombay (old name of Mumbai) from the late 18th to early 20th century.

The museum also has the historic Kala Ghoda statue. And an elephant sculpture discovered in the Elephanta Caves is there too, just outside the building. The museum is acquiring more historical art and craft items and updating the collection from time to time.

The museum wants to engage the community with the art and culture of the city and it has much space for you to do so. You can walk around the galleries, go through art workshops or sit with a book in the cafe.

History buffs, knowledge seekers as well as photographers visit Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum frequently. The place is a portrait of the city of Bombay under the British.

History of Bhau Daji Lad Museum Byculla Mumbai

Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum history goes back to 1855 when it was established as the Central Museum of Natural History, Economy, Geology, Industry and Arts. It was opened to the public later, in 1872, with the name Victoria and Albert Museum.

It is the oldest museum of Mumbai and among the most important historical sites of the city. Mumbai got the honour to showcase the rich culture of the country. And it was possible only because of Dr Bhau Daji Lad’s efforts.

Dr Bhau Daji Lad was a philanthropist who had a keen interest in history. He was nominated as the secretary of the Museum Committee, and in 1975, the committee renamed it to Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum to honour his dedication.

By 1997, however, the museum lost its charm.

In 2003, with joint support from the Municipal Corporation and Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) began the restoration process. It took 5 years before the museum was reopened in 2008.

The Bhau Daji Lad Museum restoration project won the 2005 UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award of Excellence for the extensive steps taken towards conserving this cultural heritage.

Architecture of Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum

George Birdwood designed the original Palladian-style structure of the museum. But the plans were implemented by Scott McClelland & Co. architects, with some modifications.

However, much of the original specifications was retained, which are visible today. Ornate Doric order pillars, the beautifully stencilled ceiling, and the thin arches along its length were all part of the original plan.

The first floor has colourful Minton tiled floors, and the long hall has got large windows for enough light and ventilation.

And those grand metal palisades, staircase railings as well as the arched supports were imported from England. The etched glass designs and gold gilding too will remind you of the glorious 19th-century architectural style.

Image Gallery of Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum Mumbai

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Things to do at Bhau Daji Lad Museum Mumbai

1. Browsing the museum galleries – The museum has six galleries. The Industrial Arts Gallery displays traditional art pieces, which were modified to European tastes. Kamalnayan Bajaj Mumbai Gallery shows the lifestyle of the city from the 18th century to early 20th century. Through various dioramas and models, the museum displays information about the occupations of the people, their leisure activities and their religious traditions.

Then, the Founders' Gallery showcases the story of people who dedicated their lives in setting up this museum. The Paintings Gallery houses a small collection of paintings and objects from the 19th century. And the Origins of Mumbai Gallery tells you about the evolution of the city, through maps, lithographs and photographs.

The sixth space – Kamalnayan Bajaj Special Exhibitions Gallery, is reserved for special exhibitions. You can visit them all in a private guided tour or know just the essential information about Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum during the free public tours.

2. Taking the audio tour of the exhibitions – If you aren’t interested in hiring a guide, you can rent an audio tour device. The audio guide tells you the stories related to the museum’s history, architecture and collections. It is available in three languages – English, Hindi and Marathi.

3. Attending lectures at the plaza – In the backyard, you have the Museum Plaza. At the Education Centre there, regular public lectures are held. Various scholars, researchers and historians promote cultural awareness through these lectures. The building also serves as a venue for seminars and audio-visual interactions.

4. Enjoying cultural performances – The backyard also has the Special Project Space. It is a special area for Bhau Daji Lad Museum exhibitions, workshops and performing arts. The museum also hosts regular public screenings of art videos, documentaries, and short movies. Kids love the “Treasure Hunt” within the premises the most.

5. Buying souvenirs in the shop – Within the plaza, you’ll find the souvenir shop. It has a range of products inspired by the Bhau Daji Lad Museum collection itself. From there, you can buy diaries, mugs and t-shirts among other items. Products made by local craftsmen like shawls, statues and papier mâché designs are also available. You’ll find a range of coffee table books and guides about Mumbai too.

6. Munching snacks in the cafe – The Museum Cafe is a popular hangout space among the local people. And you too are free to take a break and relax after the tiring tour of the museum. The cafe is set amidst the green environment of the museum and offers a range of snacks and beverages.

7. Strolling around the garden – Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum is within the premises of Veermata Jijamata Udyan. So, you have ample space to take a walk around for fresh air among the lush greenery. The area is lined with different statues and it also holds the monolithic elephant statue brought from the Elephanta Caves Island.

Bhau Daji Lad Museum Entry Fees and Timings

You can check Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum artworks, plaza and cafe from 10 AM to 6 PM. The last ticket, however, is sold till 5.30 PM. This place is open every day of the week except for Wednesday and some public holidays.

For the Indian nationals, Bhau Daji Lad Museum ticket price is ₹10. And that’s for the adults (13 years and above). For kids, between 6 and 12 years of age, the fee is ₹5, and for infants, the museum charges nothing for entry. Also, children get discounted entry if they have a valid ID from school. For students under 12 years old, the ticket costs ₹2; for 13 and above, it’s ₹5.

The audio guide device is available at ₹30.

For international citizens, the ticket costs ₹100 for adults and ₹50 for children. Students, with a valid ID, can get entry at ₹30. Infants get free entry to Bhau Daji Lad Museum. And the audio guide costs ₹50.

Entry is also free for the employees of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), children from MCGM schools and NGOs. Visitors with disabilities too can avail free entry.

The museum entertains group bookings, the details of which you should ask from the office.

You can also explore Bhau Daji Lad Museum during the free public tours, conducted every weekend by the curatorial team. The tour is organised in English on Saturday and Sunday at 11.30 AM. The tour in Hindi/Marathi language begins an hour later, at 12.30 PM.

Best Time to Visit Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum

The interior of the museum is air-conditioned. So, you can visit it at any time of the year. However, to enjoy to the fullest visit this tourist spot during the winter. It begins in late October and remains until March. The temperature is comfortable for you to wander around the museum premises and attend any open-air performances within the complex.

The museum hosts many events around the year. So, check with the office if you want to plan your tour during some selected workshops, music events or other cultural performances.

Time to Explore Bhau Daji Lad Museum Mumbai

The time taken to explore the museum varies with personal interests or the purpose of the visit. Those who want to visit the galleries and study the artworks will take more time than who come here casually. However, around 2-3 hours at the museum is fine enough to go through the collections, check out the shop and relax a while.

Things to keep in mind while visiting Bhau Daji Lad Museum

• You must deposit your bags and backpacks at the counter.
• You can take photographs only for non-commercial use.
• You can’t record videos inside the museum.
• You can't smoke anywhere on the museum premises.
• You can't take food or beverages inside the museum.

Interesting Facts about Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum

1. The museum has been named after the physician Dr Bhau Daji Lad, who made constant efforts to establish this museum. He also collected ₹1,16,141 for that purpose.

2. Bhau Daji Lad Museum honoured David Sassoon, a Jewish patron, by naming a design on the roof after him. It’s called the Star of David.

3. The colourful Minton tiles couldn’t be used anywhere except for the stairs and the first floor as the ship carrying them met with a tragic incident.

4. The museum has received the prestigious UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award of Excellence in 2005, for its efforts towards the conservation of heritage.

5. Sir J.J School of Art conducted workshops at the museum, and the works are well preserved here.

How to Reach Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Mumbai?

Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum is within the Veermata Jijamata Udyan. It is just across the road from the Byculla local station. So, you can board a local train to Byculla. You can also take a ride in the local BEST buses of Mumbai.

Taxis, cabs and autos are available from anywhere in Mumbai to get to the museum and you can also opt for a private cab from top car rental companies in Mumbai for a more comfortable ride. And here are the different routes you can take to reach Mumbai –

By Road – Mumbai is connected to nearby towns and major cities of India. Public and private bus services are available from Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik and many other places in the neighbourhood. Most of the buses stop at Mumbai Central Bus Depot, at about 3 km from the museum. You can also rent a cab from nearby towns to reach Mumbai.

By Rail – Along with a reliable network of local trains, Mumbai also boasts of strong railway connectivity nationwide. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (5 km away), Mumbai Central (3 km away) and numerous other suburban railway stations connect the city to other parts of India.

By Air – Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, about 15 km away from the museum, has regular flights from all the major airports around the world. Whether you are coming from a western country, south-east Asian nation or the Middle East, you can find flights to suit your preferences. The airport also entertains flights from other Indian cities.

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Location Map for Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum Mumbai