“With all renewed looks, Mumbai university’s Rajabai Tower is all set to open for public as the Phase 1 of restoration work is done. The Gothic style 85 meters tall Rajabai Clock tower has its looks alike the London’s (United Kingdoms) famous tower called ‘Big ben’ and is well maintained with its original looks as was since during 1878. With TCS and Mahanagar Gas Ltd support and donation this attraction of South Mumbai is yet another plus to the tourist attractions list.”
Rajabai tower is a beautiful rocket shape structure famously known clock tower of Mumbai University built in 1878. It has a big old Analog clock on top which can bee seen from far. Located in Fort area of South Mumbai with nearest stations to reach being Churchgate and CST, This tower was designed by ‘Sir George Gilbert Scott’, a famous English architect of London and financed by ‘Mr.Premchand Roychand’ a jain community rich broker and industrialist who also founded the famous Bombay Stock Exchange with the only condition to bear complete costing of tower, is to keep the name of this beautiful old heritage monument in the name of his mother ‘Rajabai’, and so is the 135 year iconic structure inside Mumbai university compound till date. In 1995 the proposal for restoring rajabai was made by Indian Heritage Society and The activities was started in 2012 with a firm called ‘Somaya and Kapappa’) took the contract. As of the updates on May 2015, the current renovation and restoration process (PHASE 1) is done and the two university buildings is done to be open to public and with (PHASE 2) furniture work to be carried out soon. Retaining the original Gothic style beauty of tower with all renewals, this clock tower will be a renewed attraction of south Mumbai.
Clock Tower Details
Location Details : As said this iconic heritage attraction is in South Mumbai location. Get down at Churchgate or CST station and reach the closest landmarks are ‘Oval Maidan’ or ask for ‘Mumbai High Court’ via Veer Nariman Road connecting to University Road. Exactly behind this tower is the University Building.
The now 135 year old was once one of the very few when we talked about attractions of Mumbai city, some 1 to 3 decades before. South Mumbai was the place from where the real Mumbai developed extending its strength and boundaries in North suburbs, East and Central Suburbs, Thane and Navi Mumbai, But still after so much of things to see in city, Rajabai tower is one of those heritage structure which looks stunning compared to others. After so long years of requests and meetings, the Municipal heritage committee gave a green flag for restoration project work of this tower. The renovation works which beings will take care of every minor things to keep the original structural work and things inside as it is.
The latest attractions of this tower will be the upgrade of the old rare books collection Library located in ground floor, to a new hi-tech looking once. A complete new interior will be done by Mumbai University who is taking care of this facelift at an approximate cost of Rs.4 crore and above. Like other such British time structures, this tower also have Gothic style art works on walls, stairs etc, which may be renovated to give it a fresh old look again. One of the attractions of this huge clock tower is when you check the top level (above analogue clock) structure is that their are lots of Gargoyles which has got cracks as got so old with time. The seasonal changes has also brought some cracks with few damages too, All which will also get a facelift along with the Glass windows and Stones on walls.
Stand inside Oval Maidan ground or any other locations in Fort, or go on roof top locations of South Mumbai skylines the beauty of Rajabai is still stunning. To reach this location you must reach Fort area which is very near to CST (Central Route) and Churchgate (Western Route) railway stations. I will highly recommend to walk to reach this place as the walk will be really worth for those visiting for very first time.
Address and Contact : Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil Marg, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400032, India.
Contact : +91-22-22708700.
