Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) formerly The prince of Wales Museum had completed 100 years in January 2022. It is a Grade I Heritage Building of the city and is one of the most popular museums of India. Yet another masterpiece from George Wittet (1878-1926), a consultant architect of the Government of Bombay. George had close association with another famous architect John Begg of Bombay government. They pioneered the Indo-Saracenic style, using it in several government and public buildings across Bombay.
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CSMVS / Prince of Wales museum, Mumbai holidify.com
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Prince of Wales Museum. indianexpress.com
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| Formerly The Prince of Wales Museum go2india.in |
Renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya its foundation stone was laid by none other than Prince of Wales himself on his visit to Mumbai in the year 1905. It was completed in 1914 and put to use as a military hospital during world war I. Inauguration was held in the year 1922 after the war.
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| CSMVS / Prince of Wales museum, Mumba, alamy,com |
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| CSMVS / Prince of Wales museum, Mumbai flickr.com |
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| CSMVS / Prince of Wales museum, Mumbai pinrest.in. |
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| CSMVS / Prince of Wales museum, Mumbai mtdc.co.in/museums |
Above images: The huge dome of this structure in Mumbai is similar to the one in Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur, Karnataka.
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| CSMVS / Prince of Wales museum, Mumbai /commons.wikimedia.org |
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| SMVS (Prince of Wales) museum, Mumbai amazingmaharashtra.com |
Quite impressed as he was when he visited some of the mausoleums there, in particular, Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur (now in Karnataka) George Wittet never hesitated to incorporate some of the native architectural elements. in designing the present structure. The design of this building was influenced by Gol Gumbaz of Bijapur. Elements of traditional architecture include carved stone brackets, jaalis of Rajput Jhrokas etc can be seen in the museum building. The latter features enhance the beauty of this building.
Established as a museum on 10 January 1922 during the Raj it was meant to be more educative. Situated in the midst of a vast expanse of lush green garden, the heritage building provides an idle ambiance for the visitors who want to expand their knowledge and delve into the past history of India.
This museum building with three floors is a repository of about 50,000 exhibits; a myriad collection of ancient artefacts, some of the most exquisite artefacts relating to India's rich past history and ethos. Mention may be made of numerous stone sculptures, Akhnoor Terracotta. (famous in Jammu), fine wood work of Gujarat ( 18th_19th Century A.D) tiles from the tombs and buildings of Taipur Amris , Hyderabad, Sindh , Pakistan, etc. There are many Hindu sculptures and among them Lord Vishnu with different stone engravings get the attention of the visitors. There are artifacts of Harappan Miniature pottery. Now the old structure underwent detailed renovation and conservation
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