The present headquarters of Maharashtra Police in Mumbai is a heritage structure at Colaba close to Gateway of India. They moved into this place in the year 1982.
Prior to that this heritage structure was known by the name Royal Alfred Sailors Home and it was built to accommodate seamen. Its construction was initiated by Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad of Baroda and completed in 1872. This 270 feet long and 58 feet Gothic structure was architected by Stevens and built using blue basalt stone. The roof is covered by red Mangalore tiles.
But when one passes in front of this structure that catches everyone's attention is magnificent sculpture of Neptune in the top portion. This sculptures were crafted by students of the J J School of Art under the supervision of John Lockwood Kipling, a Professor of Architecture.
Neptune, the Roman God of the sea, is seated in a shell surrounded by mythical creatures, sea horses in the waves of water. On either corners are well crafted sea lions looking in opposite directions.
Prior to that this heritage structure was known by the name Royal Alfred Sailors Home and it was built to accommodate seamen. Its construction was initiated by Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad of Baroda and completed in 1872. This 270 feet long and 58 feet Gothic structure was architected by Stevens and built using blue basalt stone. The roof is covered by red Mangalore tiles.
But when one passes in front of this structure that catches everyone's attention is magnificent sculpture of Neptune in the top portion. This sculptures were crafted by students of the J J School of Art under the supervision of John Lockwood Kipling, a Professor of Architecture.
Neptune, the Roman God of the sea, is seated in a shell surrounded by mythical creatures, sea horses in the waves of water. On either corners are well crafted sea lions looking in opposite directions.
29 comments:
A gem!
Namaste
Very informative post with nice photography...
Great photos,Thanks for the post.
This is absolutely stunning. Fantastic architecture and sculptures. Love the Neptune sculpture and the sea lions. I must say I've never seen a police station quite like this one; heck, I've never seen a police station close to this one. Amazing. I wonder if the cops give tours? Without someone being arrested, I mean! :)
wow - that's quite a building!
Wonderful shots and detail on the heritage!
another awesome and informative post from you.. nice...
Terrific captures of a magnificent building, Rajesh! I'm always amazed by your very pale skies!! Have a great weekend!
Nobody shows India better than you
Congrats
It is a beautiful building, love the details. Great shots!
I like the look of the taxis. They're cute.
Very fancy for the police.
A fabulous edifice indeed.
And what brilliant shots, as always! :-)
Nice pictures, beautiful palace!
Sculpture of Neptune is very interesting. Keep posting about such interesting places. :)
Nice captures. The architecture looks wonderful.
http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/2013/05/juhu-beach.html
indeed a majestic building.
You live in a land with so much to see and enjoy that is very interesting. So glad you share them with us.
What a magnificent old building! The sculpture of Neptune is beautiful, as is all the ornamentation of this building.
Beautiful and the work is remarkable. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful building and carvings, with a very interesting history.
Are those police cars in the foreground of the first picture or taxis?
Wonderful details of the art on the architecture.
Thank you all for appreciation. Those cars on the road are taxis.
Marvelous details on that building.
That is an amazing sculpture!
Though I spent four months in Mumbai my first time in India, I only got to the Taj for cocktails one night and walked around the Gateway of India....didn't visit the police station. I'm expecting to spend six months there this time ( arrive the 3rd of June ) so I'll definitely go by the police station at some point....not as an inmate, though.
My Mellow Yellows is at:
http://rnsane.blogspot.com/2013/05/monday-mellow-yellows-yellow-san.html#links
Nice shots you have here.
The headquarters do the police proud. Enjoyed your story about the sculpture on top. Aamchi Mumbai.
Nicely captured!
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