Monday, November 26, 2012

Rajabai Tower, Mumbai

The Rajabai Tower is a Clock Tower located within the Fort campus of the University of Mumbai. Recently I visited this and other near by places when in Mumbai.



The construction of tower started in 1829 was completed in 1878. The entire cost of construction of tower was funded by Premchand Roychand a wealthy merchant. The tower was named named after his blind mother Rajabai.



Modeled on Big Ben of UK, the tower was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, an English architect. This 85m tall tower is built using locally available buff coloured Kurla stone. Its architecture is a fusion of Venetian and Gothic styles.



The ground floor has two side room one on  either side along with a spiral staircase. At the base it has a square form. The form changes from a square to an octagon towards the top. The tower has a spiral staircase and access to the top is closed. 



It houses the library of the University, which has some of the brilliant stained glass windows in Asia. This spectacular structure has been carved beautifully with various sculptures at various stages of tower. The carvings on the external surface of the tower is exquisite.

42 comments:

eileeninmd said...

The clock tower is wonderful, love the photos! Have a great week ahead!

rupam sarma said...

@Rajesh Good morning.Beautiful photographs and nice description of The Rajabai Tower. Thank you :)
Have a nice week.

Maude Lynn said...

Lovely!

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Classics, absolutely!

Krishna/കൃഷ്ണ said...

beautiful photos and nice description

thanks

Kavita Saharia said...

Brilliant structure and pictures.

Vrinda said...

The architecture is beautiful... beautiful captures.

Jeevan said...

Wow! Grand structure... the architecture is mesmerizing. More than watching tower, the named behind it touches a lot!

Anonymous said...

cool clicks :) :)

R Niranjan Das said...

Nice shots.

http://www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.in

Fun60 said...

When I first saw the picture I thought it really was Big Ben. Great pictures - really interesting to see them.

raf said...

It is truly an exquisite piece of architecture and artwork!

George said...

This is a beautiful tower. While I see the resemblance to Big Ben, the details make it very unique. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Magia da Inês said...

✿ °•.¸

Grandiosa a arquitetura dos monumentos da Índia.
Boa semana!
Beijinhos do Brasil¸.•°✿

Sylvia K said...

Magnificent clock tower and library of the University and terrific captures of your world today, Rajesh!! Have a great week!

Pamela Gordon said...

This is a beautiful tower and building. I wondered when I saw the first photo if it was similar to Big Ben. Enjoy the week. Pamela

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

The spiral staircase and tower look amazing! A wonderful building.

Unknown said...

Great post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Lowell said...

The clock tower is magnificent. As are the various buildings and sculptures!

I read a piece the other day about the man who was instrumental in changing Bombay to Mumbai. I was curious if you think that was a good change.

LifeRamblings said...

such a beautiful clock tower. love the intricate details.

Lorrie said...

This is a very beautiful tower. And the spiral staircase is so unique. Lovely photos.

Carver said...

That's a beautiful tower and great shots of it.

Vineeta Yashsavi said...

Lovely Pictures and good information...

Anonymous said...

What a lovely and impressive tower.

Leovi said...

Gorgeous photos, a nice tower, excellent fusion of styles.

Arija said...

I absolutely love the open stonework spiral staircase!

Penelope Postcards said...

What a fabulous design! I like the spiraling staircase as it looks from the outside and I can easily imagine the stain glass windows would be lovely. I saw the movie Life of Pi recently and thought of your world and all the amazing temples you so diligently have covered on your blog. Thanks as always for sharing your world. :)

Roger Owen Green said...

impressive tower; wouldn't have pegged it for India

MaR said...

Mighty tower and impressive architecture. As always!!
Cheers,

T is for...

Joy said...

I like the mix of styles. The spiral staircase reminds me of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Both designs of this and the big ben have added something unique to the top of them.

Al said...

Beautiful building. That was completed before my city was started!

Manohar Bangar said...

Thats awesome yaar.

Stewart M said...

This is another picture I would have never picked as being taken in India - which just show how little I know.

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Sridharan said...

Wonderful..!

Nonnie said...

thank you for sharing such a lovely clock tower!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Precious time!

Catching up with all the T entries.


Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

Mama Pajama said...

wow, love that staircase!

Rajesh said...

Thank you all for appreciating this wonderful tower.

Eden said...

What a beautiful clock tower! Thank you for sharing.

lencilicious said...

Love pictures. Stephen's Green ShoppingCentre

Bushra said...

It's Magnificent! Lovely capture :)

K.A. Acharya said...

Fantastic capture...magnificent building.