Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

The museum is a major landmark in the Kala Ghoda Art Precinct, along with NGMA, Jehangir Art Gallery and Regal Cinema. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly Prince of Wales Museum of Western India) is one the premier art and history museums in India situated in the Crescent Site on the southern tip of Mumbai. Designed by Sir George Wittet, in the Indo-Saracenic architectural s

tyle, building is one of the best examples of this architectural styles. On the 14th August 1905, a number of prominent people of Bombay gathered at the Town Hall and resolved to erect a Memorial to the visit of the Prince of Wales (later King George V) in the form of a public Museum which, would be named after him. The meeting was attended by Sir Pherozeshah Mehta, Justice Badrudin Tyabji, Narotamdas Gokuldas, Justice Chandavarkar, Sasson J. David and many other dignitaries known for their outstanding contribution in their respective fields and also in the development of the island of Bombay. The Foundation Stone of the Museum was laid by the Prince of Wales on 11th November 1905 and the Museum was named Prince of Wales Museum of Western India. For a long time people had also felt the need for a good museum in the city and finally the museum was established by the public contribution aided by the then Government of the Bombay Presidency. The building was completed in 1914 but it opened to the public much later on 10th January, 1922. Till then it was used by the military as a hospital and for the Children’s Welfare Exhibitions. Bombay is now known as Mumbai and the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India has been renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. Set against a well-laid-out garden which retains its original plan even today, the museum is an important Heritage building of the city. Today, the Museum houses a world class collection of over 50,000 artifacts which comprises of various forms of art from India and beyond i.e. Far-East, Nepal and Tibet as well as Europe. It has an important archaeological collection and a natural history section, which are major attractions for children. This spectacular collection comprises of purchases as well as generous donations from dignitaries like Sir Ratan Tata and Sir Dorabji Tata. Several artifacts have been acquired from Seth Purshottam Mavji, Karl and Meherbai Khandalavala and the Archaeological Survey of India.