Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Maharashtra

The museum was inaugurated in 1922 by Lady Lloyd, wife of George Lloyd, the then Governor of Bombay. The foundation stone of the museum was laid by the Prince of Wales himself on 11th November 1905 during his visit to India. Some of the leading personalities of Bombay, presently Mumbai, proposed to build a museum to mark the royal visit of the Prince of Wales. The government of Bombay Presidency allotted a piece of land known as the ‘Crescent Site’ to the museum committee. George Wittet designed the building in Indo- Saracenic style of architecture with a lot of influence from the Maratha, Mughal, and Jain architectures. Grey ‘Kurla’ basalt and buff coloured trachyte Malad stone was used for the construction of this massive structure. The museum is surrounded by a well-manicured garden with series of palm trees and beautiful flower beds. It was renamed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya in the year 1998 after the famous Maratha ruler, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The building functioned as the Children Welfare Society and a Military Hospital during the time of the First World War. At present, the museum is a house of many relevant Indian artefacts and relics from the time of Indus Valley Civilization to the time of the mighty ancient Empires like the Mauryas, Guptas, Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas. It also displays many historically significant objects from foreign lands. All these are categorised into three main sections, Art, Archaeology and Natural History. Apart from these, the forestry section, Maritime Heritage Gallery, Karl and Meherbai Khandalavala Collection and the Coins of India are some of the other special attractions. It is declared as a Grade I Heritage Building of the city.

Timings

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya open at 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM

Entry Fees

100 INR per Indian Tourists and 650 INR per Foreign Tourists

Photography

100 INR per still Camera charge

Write Your Review

Your Rating

Questions & Answers

Get quick answers from travelers who visit to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya.

Haushilal Sharnagat
27 August 2022

Any discount central government employee ?