Overview
The Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum is Mumbai's oldest museum, founded in 1872. After a meticulous restoration completed in 2008, it showcases the decorative arts and cultural history of Mumbai in exquisitely renovated Victorian interiors with gilded columns, ornate ceilings, and chandeliers.
Highlights
- Victorian Interiors: The restored interiors feature original Minton tile floors, wrought-iron columns, and elaborate plasterwork — a living example of 19th-century museum design.
- Mumbai Maps Collection: Rare historical maps showing the transformation of Mumbai from seven islands into a unified peninsula.
- Clay Models: Detailed clay dioramas from the 1880s depicting traditional Indian trades and customs.
History
Originally called the Victoria and Albert Museum, it was renamed after Dr. Bhau Daji Lad, a prominent Mumbai physician and scholar. The UNESCO Award-winning restoration in 2003–2008 brought the building back from decades of neglect.
Visitor Tips
- Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Zoo: The museum is inside the Byculla Zoo complex, so combine both visits.
- Gift Shop: The museum shop sells excellent reproductions and craft items.
- Duration: 1–1.5 hours.