David Sassoon Library, Mumbai

The David Sassoon Library houses one of the oldest living Library and Reading rooms in use in Mumbai. Members of all age groups visit it as it is conveniently located in the Fort Area in an old business district in the city of Mumbai. The Library has been listed as a Grade heritage structure within the Fort precinct and the Museum sub-precinct as per the Heritage Regulations of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (1995).

   

A group of young mechanics and foremen of the Royal Mint and Government Dockyard established a museum and library for mechanical models and architectural design, in 1847, which led to the creation of the Sassoon Library. In 1863, Sir David Sassoon, a leading banker of Mumbai, contributed Rs.60,000/- to the government to build a Mechanic's Institute, now called the David Sassoon Library. This Venetian Gothic styled structure, completed in 1870, forms part of an important ensemble of buildings, that are crucial for the image of the Fort Area. 

The library today still boasts of growing membership. It houses a large collection of very rare old books. The reading room is frequented often by working students due to its convenient location in the heart of the business district. In 1996, on the occasion of its 150 Anniversary, an extensive fund-raising exercise was undertaken for the first major restoration efforts carried out to the Library. The Restoration process dealt largely with undoing the damages caused to the building with all the additions urgent restoration tasks were attended to. However, it was found that after eight years many of the unattended areas needed urgent attention. Hence, rather than the earlier fragmented approach, there is a need to collect a sufficient corpus for restoration and work towards a comprehensive restoration program for the Library. It would ensure that all the restoration tasks are attended to and carried out under strict supervision of the consultants within a structured time frame.

   

The Phase ll works include restoration of the library building, and improving its functioning. As this would be a long-term undertaking, the Library has decided to proceed initially with the external restoration works only, and subsequently taken on other works related to restoration and library expansion.

Salient Features

• One of the oldest libraries in the city. The institute is rendering dedicated services in the field of academic, cultural and social development to the people of Mumbai.
• The library's main assets are the rare books. Some of the books in the library's treasure are published way back in the year 1798.
• The library has recently set up an art gallery near the entrance of the building to encourage young, upcoming, talented artists to exhibit their art materials.
• It would not be exaggerating to state that the library has become a place of tourist attraction considering the regular visits of many foreign and Indian tourists.
• A unique and most enchanting feature of the library is a very well maintained garden in its backyard. It is a 'green lung' amidst the vibrant and crowded commercial area. Stepping into it takes into a world which is at once far removed from the mundane hubbub of the metropolis. Here one can enjoy the works of great authors, indulge in philosophical musings or simply sit back with eyes closed music, relaxing one's strained nerves. This garden which offers solace to its visitors in steer and strain, is another valuable asset of the library.

Address

David Sassoon Library & Reading Room
152, Mahatma Gandhi Road,
Off. David Sassoon Library Marg,
Kalaghoda, Fort,
Mumbai-400023.
India.

Phone :  +91 22 22843703

Email : dslibrary1847@yahoo.com, vajgaonkar7@gmail.com

Website :  http://www.davidsassoonlibrary.com

Ballard Bunder Gatehouse, Mumbai

Ballard Bunder Gatehouse is a Grade I Heritage structure that has been converted into a maritime museum, located at Ballard Estate in the old Fort area of Mumbai, India. It was built in 1920 to commemorate the realignment of the harbour and is located where Ballard Pier, a small pier once existed with an approach jetty at right angles to the pier. The building was among the five entries from the Mumbai for the 2009 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation. It is one of the stops on Special tour of Museums in the city, a tour organised by BEST and MTDC as well as the Naval Dockyard Heritage Walk, conducted by the Naval Dockyard on the first Sunday of every month.

In 1920 Ballard Bunder Gatehouse was built to commemorate Ballard pier being developed into Ballard Estate. This was a planned development by the Bombay Port Trust and was executed under a plan made by George Wittet, the chief architect of Bombay Port Trust between 1908 and 1914. After Independence from the British Raj, the gatehouse became part of the Naval Dockyard and fell into disuse, obscured from view for over 50 years. In 2005, the Indian Navy restored the building, opening it to the public as a maritime museum. The Navy dedicated the new museum to the city of Mumbai.

The contemporary triple arch gatehouse complements the architecture of Ballard Estate. The gatehouse design is similar to that of the Green Gate on the eastern waterfront.

The museum collection includes giant 6 feet tall anchors and lights that are knee high and were once atop of a lighthouse. The museum also houses old maps and photographs of Mumbai, rich in diversity from goldsmiths and policemen to mill workers and fisher folk along with scale models of ships, trawlers and dhows.