asiatic library mumbai case study

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Room To Read: No funds, Asiatic Library turns to youth, festival crowds

Digital subscriptions & kindles have replaced library cards but newsline finds the value of libraries..

Carved wooden easy chairs with matching footstools, news from 18th and 19th century journals lined up in hardbound editions, shelves packed with books as far as the eye can see — a step inside the Asiatic Library at Horniman Circle is rather like taking a step back in time. Not surprising, since one of Mumbai’s oldest libraries turned 211 recently.

Tucked away inside the imposing Town Hall Building, Asiatic Library is home to over 1 lakh books, mainly in English. It also houses tomes in Greek, Latin, Italian, German and French, besides Sanskrit and other ancient as well as modern Indian languages. “Asiatic is known for its Indology and Oriental books,” says Maya Avasia, head librarian. There are also 15,000 books classified as rare and valuable, including first editions in Indian and European languages. “But the most requested books are on history, especially the city’s history.”

On any given day, a handful of regulars, around 30 of them comprising mostly researchers, pore over the history books, working away steadily. The other set is the easy chair regulars, browsing through periodicals.

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Niranjan Mehta (81) remembers participating in discussions here with scholars including Durga Bhagwat, palaeontologist Ashok Sahni and poet Arun Kolatkar. A member of the library for 45 years now, Mehta says he enjoys reading in his favourite section, the periodicals room, for it has the cosiest easy chairs and the perfect lighting and breeze. “I like to read in the same place where years ago I sat and discussed the day’s politics, Jiddu Krishnamurti’s lectures, and characters from books and real life, with my friends,” he says. “It’s difficult to make new friends at my age, so these books have become my new friends.”

“With the Planning Commission scrapped and the state culture department uncertain if they can continue our grants beyond the coming year, we do not know if we can continue with our conversation projects or award academic projects that take longer than a year,” says SG Kale, president of the managing committee of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai .

The corpus fund’s interests do not suffice for much more than paying staff and administrative expenses, he adds. A look at the financial review for 2013-14 shows that the Society had a surplus of Rs 8,65,159. The largest source of income was the government’s grant, Rs 1.05 crore. “With this gone, we will have to cut down on a lot of our projects,” says Kale.

The library is now turning its attention to youngsters to boost its survival. It has begun offering scholarships for young researchers, and this year provided a venue for the Kala Ghoda festival. It is also teaming up with colleges for exhibitions, lectures and is offering summer internships for those doing their BSc or MSc in library studies.

Founded by Sir James Mackintosh, a distinguished lawyer who became the Recorder of the King’s Judge for Bombay, the Asiatic Society, which manages the library, began admitting Indians only in 1841. But over the years, it has emerged as one of Mumbai’s most prominent libraries, championing free thought and scholarship, engaging with citizens through a small set of public lectures and events.

Despite few regulars today, the library continues to ‘scrutinise’ aspiring members. “It is tough to get in but it’s hard to find such a library — noiseless, breezy. It’s a privilege for any book lover to be part of such a library,” says 23-year-old Nidhi Poojari, one of the newest members of the library.

With promises of WiFi and online services, the library to looking to stay alive and relevant for a generation that conducts its research on Google and reads only e-books.

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Mapping empire: A century of maps at Mumbai's Asiatic Society

Mapped, a new exhibition at the asiatic society of mumbai, provides a visceral sense of how cartography helped make colonial empires..

Map of UP and Bihar, made from the Great Trigonometrical Series.

What did the first nearly accurate map of India look like? How did the British set about painstakingly mapping this massive country even as they coveted and claimed large tracts of it as their own? What was the scale of this imperial project? One might have a fair idea of how all of this happened — thanks to John Keay, who wrote  The Great Arc all those years ago — but Mapped , a new exhibition at the Asiatic Society of Mumbai, provides a deeper, more visceral sense of how cartography helped make colonial empires.

Curated by heritage management company Past Perfect, the exhibition unfurls a century of surveys undertaken by the British, including, of course, The Great Trignometric Survey (GTS), the numerous marine and eventually revenue and other administrative surveys.

An entire story involving conquest, power play, and espionage plays out through the maps that belong to the Asiatic Library’s collection and are part of a larger Cartographic Conservation project that kicked off in 2019, says Deepti Anand, co-founder of Past Perfect. And it all started, in a way, with James Renell, who made the first nearly accurate map of India in 1788.

“Prior to this all maps of India look absurd, because people referenced the prime meridian in Paris or Greenwich. Renell, who was appointed the first Surveyor General of India, standardized the kos, the local unit of measuring distance. And since the British had gained control of Bengal back then, he was also able to assign a meridian in Calcutta for more accurate longitudinal measurements,” says Anand. In the 17th and 18th centuries, as colonial powers made their first inroads into India, maps of coasts were especially sought after. “We’ve displayed two such maps at the exhibition, but the Society has nearly 100 such maps. There are marine surveys of almost every river and port in the country, and people actually traded maps because a lot about India was then unknown,” says Anand.

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The exhibition has a particularly interesting display of maps belonging to the remarkable GTS series, but equally interesting are the glimpses it provides into the lives of the men who laboured under the British on the over 100-year project that began in the late 1700s and, besides producing deeply accurate maps of their dominion, also measured the heights of several Himalayan peaks, including Everest, K2, and Kanchenjunga. So, while the efforts of ‘cartographer-spies’ such as Nain Singh and Radhanath Sikdar, who gave the British a sense of what lay beyond India’s borders, are rightly highlighted, you also have short extracts from surveyors’ diaries.

“Curating the exhibition got us into the headspace of the local guys who got this whole operation done. It was tedious, dangerous, backbreaking work, and there are episodes of loneliness, mental health issues, rants in these diaries that we went through,” says Anand. William Lambton, the man behind the GTS, wrote tomes on his plans and method of triangulation, some of which are on display at the exhibition along with some of the about 28 volumes of reports the surveying of each quadrilateral produced.

Many of the maps on display were donated to the Asiatic Society by the Bombay Geographical Society, and in them the visitor can see Bombay blooming and expanding. The Second Revenue Survey of Bombay, conducted in 1869 in association with the GTS, took over seven years to complete and surveyed some 21,000 properties. It also captured the visual and structural topographical changes the city was undergoing. “You had a lot of people coming in, there were roads and railway lines, agricultural land was being converted, these maps kind of capture the city on the cusp of a huge change,” says Anand.

Mapped: Surveys That Left behind a Legacy is on at the Asiatic Society of Mumbai until June 4.

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You can soon visit all-new central hall of Mumbai’s Asiatic Society Library. Here’s a glimpse

The restoration of the central hall is part of the second phase of the entire project, which began in 2009. The first phase included the restoration of the library and the durbar hall.

It is grand to begin with. But the central hall of Asiatic Society Library — an almost 200-year-old Mumbai landmark — is set to get even grander thanks to some renovation that has been finally completed after a year of painstaking work. “This is the first time since the town hall was built that the façade has been renovated,” says Shrinivas G Sulge, managing director of Laxmi Hericon, the company executing the restoration work.

The central hall, which has been off limits to the public for the past year — with a makeshift library built just outside the main building — is expected to open very soon.

The Town Hall, which is 200 feet long and 100 feet deep, has an entrance that is adorned with Ionic columns. The entire structure was built according to the neo-classical style.

Restoration work on the building’s central hall began in February-March last year. Everything from the various statues of governors past and philanthropists, which adorn various nooks and corners of the library have been restored.

The entire building is being restored at the cost of Rs9 crore. Historically, this is where the chief minister hosts high tea on Independence Day every year.

The carvings, ornamental pillars and capitals that line the hall were all restored. Efforts were taken to ensure their original look was not lost. This included stripping the paint off the structures and repainting them with a protective coating. “The cast iron pillars had been originally imported from England. So we had to make sure the materials used were as close to the original as possible,” Sulge said.

The restorers tested the original materials used to build the structure, in a laboratory and tried to match the contents. Limestone was sourced from quarries in Rajasthan

The structural timber used, Burma Teak, to make the furniture in the hall as well as frames for the doors and windows was imported from Myanmar

The library’s books, which for years were relegated to aesthetically unappealing stainless steel cupboards, have now been transferred into hand-carved wooden bookcases

The entire hall is lit with chandeliers, among other ornamental light fittings. “Earlier, pigeons would fly in and dirty the area. To avoid this, the ceilings have also been lined with pigeon nets to stop the birds from perching anywhere,” Sulge said

Laxmi Hericon, which is undertaking the work, is well-versed in the art of restoration. The firm has previously worked on restoring parts of Raj Bhavan, Mani Bhavan and is currently working on restoring Elphinstone College.

According to Sulge, only one-third of the restoration work of the Town Hall now remains. Now that work on the Central Hall has been completed, the next area to be restored will be the library’s Grand Entrance

Anushka is a member of the Front Page team for the Mumbai edition of Hindustan Times. ...view detail

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India: Historic library in Mumbai gets restored

The 184-year-old Asiatic Society of Mumbai is was one of the first buildings for which the Maharashtra government sanctioned funds towards conservation

Mumbai: Even as the refurbishment of the wide steps leading to the city’s most iconic building, the 184-year-old Asiatic Society of Mumbai, will be completed in six weeks, the recently restored Town Hall and library within has become the focus of admiration.

Regular visitors are thrilled at the new, restored look that transports readers into an opulent era of chandeliers, dark wood furniture and shiny floors. The best part is that readers can now enjoy good lighting — a result of skill and art on the part of the designer.

When Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the renovated Town Hall a few days ago, he remarked that Mumbai gets back its Town Hall retaining its old grandeur. Dedicating this prestigious heritage structure to Mumbaikars, he appealed to people visit the library with such a historic collection.

Town Hall has been classified as a Grade I heritage building among the list of Mumbai’s finest architectural masterpieces under the Heritage Regulations of Greater Bombay.

This was one of the first buildings for which the Maharashtra government sanctioned funds towards conservation and appointed Abha Narain Lambah Associates for taking up this task of restoring it.

“The first phase started in 2009, which focused on the structural restoration of the roofs and waterproofing,” said Kruti Garg, Director, Conservation, at the architectural firm.

The roof of this building was never opened and the condition of the wooden trusses were in a highly deteriorated state with cracks and deflections ranging from 8 inches to 21 inches, she told Gulf News .

“These would not have lasted another monsoon in Mumbai and it was in time that retrofitting works were done from 2009-2011,” Garg said.

The next phase dealt with the restoration of the interior of Central Hall occupied by the Central Library. The work commenced in February 2015 and was completed in January 2017. It entailed the restoration of the false ceiling using original techniques; restoration of the wooden floor; removing layers and layers of paint from cast iron columns which were imported from England back in 1833; restoring the Corinthian capitals and bringing them back to their original colour scheme of ivory and gold.

Even the furniture, “has been made new based on original designs and details and nuances found in the building to reflect the time period and character of the historic interior,” Garg said.

Lambah said that the relationship Mumbaikars share with their heritage is distinct from that other Indian cities where such historic buildings are fenced off from visitors.

In a newspaper article, Lambah wrote, “It is most likely that you as a Mumbaikar would have been born in a heritage hospital building [Bhabha, JJ, Grant Medical, Wadia hospital], gone to school or college in a heritage building [J B Petit, Avabai Petit, Cathedral, Bombay Scottish], graduated from a historic college or university [JJ School of Arts, SNDT Kanyashala, Elphinstone, St Xavier’s, University Fort Campus], played cricket in a historic ground [Oval, Shivaji Park], worked in a heritage building [HSBC and Deutsche Bank, BMC head office, Mantralaya and even Old Customs House] or even fought a court case in one.”

Any restoration or renovation to such historic buildings always bring on a feel-good smile on a Mumbaikar’s face.

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The History Of The Asiatic Society Of Mumbai In 1 Minute

At the top of the steps of the majestic Town Hall at Mumbai’s Horniman Circle lies the Asiatic Society of Mumbai’s (formerly Bombay) library with its treasures of books, periodicals, ancient manuscripts, painted folios, coins, artifacts, maps and prints. Its origins can trace back to the Literary Society of Bombay, meeting for the first time in Mumbai on November 26, 1804, and was founded by Sir James Mackintosh – a lawyer, jurist and public figure in England who was also the Recorder of the King’s Judge for Bombay. The library was formed with the intention of ‘promoting useful knowledge.’ Ancient manuscripts in Persian, Prakrit, Urdu and Sanskrit, a collection of 1,000 ancient coins and the exceptional gold ‘mohur’ that once belonged to Akbar – these are among the many priceless treasures that can be found here. One of the most precious treasures of the Town Hall is Dante’s first issue of Inferno . After the establishment of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland in London , 1823, the Literary Society of Bombay became associated with it, and by 1830, it was called the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society or BBRAS. In 1873, The Bombay Geographical Society merged with it, which was followed by the merger of the Anthropological Society of Bombay in 1896. In 1954, post-separation from the Royal Asiatic Society, it was renamed the Asiatic Society of Bombay. The present name was coined in 2002.

Housing the Asiatic Society of Mumbai is the Town Hall, a heritage building located in the city’s historic Fort area. The structure is heavily influenced by Roman and Greek architecture. The grand flight of 30 stairs up to the Town Hall leads the way to the Grecian portico lined with eight Doric-styled columns. The wooden flooring and spiral staircase along with the terrace adorned with wrought iron combine to create an impression of the Society’s inherent connection with colonial history while also speaking of its immediate environs. The vestibule and the Durbar Hall of the Asiatic Society boast of fine marble statues and portraits of the renowned scholars, administrators and philanthropists who contributed to the Society, with their research papers, monetary donations and their collections of rare books, manuscripts and other antiquities. ‘The most magnificent structure that taste and munificence combined have as yet erected in India.’ – Sir John Malcolm, Governor of Mumbai in 1930 📅 Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30 am-6.30 pm & Sunday closed By Vidushi Trivedi

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Asiatic Society Mumbai – History, How to reach, Timings and Entry fee

Mumbai never ceases to enchant its visitors with its distinctive amalgamation of history, culture, and contemporary allure. Within the midst of towering skyscrapers and bustling thoroughfares, there exist concealed jewels that safeguard the city’s profound legacy. The Asiatic Society Mumbai stands as a prime example, affording insight into Mumbai’s historical tapestry and intellectual endeavors. In this blog post, we shall explore the institution’s historical background, directions to reach it, operating hours, and admission fees, establishing it as a must-visit destination on your Mumbai sightseeing itinerary.

History of Asiatic Society Mumbai: The Asiatic Society of Mumbai, established in 1804, is one of the oldest and most prestigious learned societies in India. It was founded by Sir James Mackintosh, a British colonial administrator and intellectual, with the aim of promoting the study of Asian languages, arts, and culture. Over the centuries, it has played a pivotal role in the preservation and dissemination of knowledge about India’s past and traditions.

The society’s library is a bibliophile’s paradise, housing a vast collection of rare manuscripts, books, and historical documents, including the first-ever book printed in Mumbai. It also boasts a museum that showcases artifacts, maps, and ancient coins. The majestic Asiatic Society Library building itself, an iconic architectural masterpiece, is a testament to Mumbai’s colonial-era grandeur.

How to Reach Asiatic Society Mumbai: The Asiatic Society is centrally located in the heart of Mumbai, making it easily accessible from various parts of the city. Here are a few ways to reach this historical gem:

By Train: Mumbai’s suburban railway network is well-connected, and you can get off at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), formerly known as Victoria Terminus (VT). The Asiatic Society is just a short walk from CSMT.

By Metro: The Mumbai Metro is another convenient option. You can take Line 1 and get off at CSMT station.

By Bus: Several bus routes pass through the Fort area, where the Asiatic Society is located. You can easily find a bus that suits your location.

By Taxi/Rideshare: Taxis and rideshare services like Uber and Ola are readily available throughout Mumbai. Simply input “Asiatic Society Mumbai” into your GPS app, and you’ll be on your way.

Timings and Entry Fees: Before planning your visit to the Asiatic Society Mumbai, it’s essential to know its timings and entry fees:

Timings: The Asiatic Society Mumbai is open from Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays, so plan your Mumbai tour accordingly.

Entry Fees: The entry fee for the Asiatic Society Museum and Library is typically quite affordable. As of my knowledge cutoff date in September 2021, the fees were around INR 20 for Indian citizens and INR 100 for foreign tourists. However, these fees may have been updated since then, so it’s advisable to check the latest rates before your visit.

Visiting the Asiatic Society Mumbai is like taking a step back in time to discover Mumbai’s intellectual and cultural heritage. It’s a place where history comes alive, and the knowledge stored in its library is a testament to the city’s enduring love for learning and scholarship. So, if you’re planning a Mumbai sightseeing tour, make sure to include a visit to this remarkable institution. It’s a journey worth embarking upon to uncover the layers of Mumbai’s multifaceted history.

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Libraries in India: 15 Iconic Projects

Libraries architecture needs to be both innovative and relaxing for the user. The users often associate strong emotional connections with library spaces as the space is used as a gathering point, area of exploring and learning.  A library, which may vary widely in size, maybe organized for use and maintained by a public body such as a government, an institution , schools, a corporation, or a private individual. In addition to providing materials , libraries in India also provide the services of librarians who are trained and experts at finding, selecting, circulating, and organizing information and at interpreting information needs, navigating, and analyzing very large amounts of information with a variety of resources.

Hence, librarians go the extra mile to meet the user’s needs by ensuring that their users are satisfied with the information provided. A Librarian is one person who is expected to be very vibrant and innovative especially in this digital world. Library buildings often provide quiet and conducive areas for studying, as well as common areas for group study and collaboration, and may provide public facilities for access to their electronic resources for instance Computers and Desktops, and access to the Internet.

Architects need to follow many guidelines while designing a library as it needs to fulfill the needs of all age groups. Here are 15 iconic Libraries in India:  

1. Yogananda Library , Solan by Sourabh Gupta | Libraries in India

The play of solid and void found in library shelves has been extended into the planning of the Yogananda Library building in Shoolini University Solan. This is a four-storey structure interconnected with solids and voids following its geography. With a central courtyard in the centre, access to all its levels is through a shaded staircase that runs parallel to the building. It reflects the school’s philosophy which deals with biotechnology. 

Seating within this building opens out towards the valley or towards the green terrace where the courtyard opens out. Light in this respect pours into all its circulation spaces. All the circulation spaces are painted yellow contrasting the grey form of all the bookshelves. This gives a renewed sense of freshness and plays into the building. Last but one the most interesting part of this library is its entrance facade, which has two layers; one that houses the shelves for books; and another facade that conceals the criss-cross columns.

2. Connemara Public Library , Chennai by H.Irving

This library serves as a depository for the UN. This 19th-century red building with a bold elliptical semi-circular end is an excellent example of the Indo-Saracenic style of Architecture. The most exquisite detail of this building is its main hall, which has a truncated wooden roof with coloured glass pieces cemented onto its curved surfaces. Marble slabs ornamented with Acanthus leaves were brought in from Buckingham Canal in boats. 

In 2006, 2.1 crores were spent renovating the library. To accommodate an increased stock book a 3 storey building has been built alongside the old building. This library houses 8,50,000 books in Tamil, Kannada, Bengali, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujrati, and English, it is also a repository of centuries-old publications.

3. State Central Library , Bengaluru by Sir K. Seshadri Iyer

Built-in 1905 to commemorate Bengaluru’s longest-serving Dewan of Mysore State , Sir K Sheshadri Iyer. This building was paid for by money donated by the Public. Between 1908-1920 parts of the building were rented for non-public purposes. It housed tennis courts, an educational museum and was used by the Bangalore club as well. A restaurant in the 1920s had a thriving business as well. The Apsidal plan for this building follows many different architectural styles. 

With wooden roofs going about 14m in height, prominent Dutch Gables, Indian motifs, and Granite pillars adorn in its details. Large arched windows in the outer facade were once open arches from its early photographs. A bronze statue of the Dewan is located in front of the building. This building once stood independently; currently, it’s within the Cubbon park’s premises. With a rich contribution from the public, this building is identified as one of the iconic buildings of Old Bengaluru.

4. Lilavati Lalbhai Library, Ahmedabad by RMA Architects 

Rahul Mehrotra ’s vision for this iconic building goes deeper than its visible louver facade. The Lilavati Lalbhai Library reimagines the School’s philosophy reinforced by its founder BV Doshi . With a futuristic approach to academia and a choice-based curriculum, the entire 31000 square metres of mass placed at -4m and -8m respectively aligns contextually to its surroundings. This open plan of solid concrete mass has entrances from all 4 cardinal directions emphasizing a sense of openness that caters to extreme climatic conditions. 

The louvred windows can be manually accessed allowing sufficient light to pour in. With exclusive reading rooms, exhibition spaces, individual carrels administrative offices, and seminar halls this library stand as a modern typology of a library catering to the Architectural fraternity.

5. Allahabad Public Library, Prayagraj by Richard Roskell Bayne | Libraries in India

Also popularly known as Thornhill Mayne Memorial . The building follows Scottish Baronial architecture built-in 1864. It once served as a house of the legislative assembly during British rule in India. The building contains sharp pillars and turrets of granite and sandstone, it also represents structural polychromy with lofty flowers and arcaded cloisters. 

The structure of the building follows the Gothic style . The objective of the library was to promote the social, economic, academic, cultural, political, and spiritual development of its people. Oriental Hall, New Hall, Newspaper Room, Research Hall, Computer Hall, Reprography Hall are embedded within this building that further encourages people to use the library.

6. Maya Somaiya Library, Kopargaon by Sameep Padora + Associates (SP+A) 

This re-interpretation of the famous Catalan vault has been used very judicially by (SP+A), sandwiched between 2 buildings, in Shri Sharda School. This parametric roof that expands over 5750 square feet is made of three layers of 20mm brick tiles held together by mortar taking care of all the 140 tonnes of self-weight. This structure was developed by the Block Research Group at the ETH to better understand the compressive and tensile capacity of the structure. 

The formwork used for this structure has been re-used by the firm in other projects, making it sustainable in its utility. This library connects two playgrounds which most strategically places the library at a perfect juxtaposition between academia and its outdoors. The entrance to the library not only flows with the form but also streamlines light entering the structure. The interiors of the library are scaled to its users who would enjoy spending time within this dynamic framework amongst an informal seating area. 

7. National Library of India: a Journey, Kolkata by Lord Curzon 

Unlike the Colonists that ruled India, The National Library of India Kolkata was in the business of lending books to all people irrespective of class, colour, and nationality. It ran on a self-financing principle. In 1836 the library merged with the imperial library under Lord Curzon. The library extends over 30 acres, having over 3 million collections of books. 

The building most ardently exhibits colonial architecture with tall pillars and arches. The white building contrasts with green shutters placed at the windows. Classical elements like the grandfather clock, fire-places add to the library’s colonial charm. Embedded within lush greenery all around, this building calls out readers like a moth to a flame.

8. Saraswati Mahal Library, Thanjavur by Serfoji II

The library was founded in medieval India for the Nayak kings. This Library in Thanjavur was established by the Maratha king and scholar Serfoji II in (1798-1832). Here lies ancient manuscripts were written on palm leaves from North India, in Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, English with over 60,000 volumes. This building stands as an independent structure within the Palace premises. 

Adorned with painting on its huge arches and vaults, the divinity of this medieval world library goes beyond its structure. With the diversity of manuscripts ranging from ancient Sanskrit to modern medicine and cure, the library served as a treasure house of information that was futuristic for its time. 

9. Asiatic Society of Mumbai Library, Mumbai by Colonel Thomas Cowper 

This library is one of the last remnants of Victorian Mumbai. Its belief was to uphold research and preserve art, literature, and sciences. Built-in 1833, this building was inspired by Greek and Roman styles. The entrance is a classical Grecian portico with doric pillars above a flight of 30 stars. 

The stones for this building’s construction were imported from Britain. With wooden flooring, spiral staircases, and terraces supported by Wrought iron, the building expressed neo-classical style. 

10. Raza Library, Rampur (Uttar Pradesh) by W.C. Wright | Libraries in India

This Indo-Islamic heritage library built-in 1774 is home to 60,000 printed books, 3000 calligraphy scripts, and ancient texts from Medina, Egypt, Mecca, and Iran. This high domed and turreted mansion has elements of Victorian Gothic elements as well. Durbar halls with canopied ceilings adorned in gold add grandeur to this library. 

Italian sculpture placed in the hall tells us about the diversity of the built structure from the Eastside of the world all the way to the west.

11. Trivandrum Public Library, Kerala by Colonel Edward Cadogan 

This red brick and the white stone gothic-style library were earlier made exclusively for the ruler of the then Kerala King Swathi Thirunal of Travancore. One of the most exquisite highlights of the building is the wooden staircase with a carved balustrade that leads to the first floor. This humble building merges with its surroundings, blending harmoniously. 

12. David Sassoon Library, Mumbai by J. Campbell and GE Gostling

This building follows the Venetian-style Gothic revival form. With high, pointed gable and pinnacles on the roof , there are iron balustrades Den tilled on the ledges on the verandah on the first floor. Like the Gothic phrase goes ‘Let there be light’ this building gets focused sunlight in its reading rooms befitting its style perfectly.

13. State Central Library Hyderabad by Aziz Ali

Spread across 6800 square metres in the area, this library is located on the banks of River Musi. Built-in the year 1890 its houses both print books and ancient manuscripts. This building stands as an icon of architecture and culture.

14. Vikram Sarabhai Library by Louis Khan and BV Doshi

Standing as one of the most prominent buildings in IIM Ahmedabad due to its architectural style and red brick colour. It exhibits timelessness and monumentality by fusing traditional vernacular architecture with modern architecture principles. The harmony between the large geometrical openings and exposed red bricks provides an interesting play of open and void in the entire built structure.

15. Jawaharlal Kala Kendra by Charles Correa | Libraries in India

Built across 3000 square metres, this building was inspired by the city planning of Jaipur which consists of 9 squares with an open central square. The navgrah concept exhibits vital energy, quality, and functionality to each of the planets. The purpose of this building is to display India’s cultural and spiritual values.

• Isca.in. 2021. [online] Available at: <http://www.isca.in/RJLS/Archive/v3/i9/1.ISCA-RJLS-2015-028.pdf> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• Meera Iyer. (2019). Discovering Bengaluru: Intach Bengaluru Chapter. 
• Architecturalrecord.com. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/13811-central-library-by-sn%C3%B8hetta-and-dialog> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• ArchDaily. 2021. Yogananda Library / Sourabh Gupta . [online] Available at: <https://www.archdaily.com/770435/yogananda-library-sourabh-gupta> [Accessed 2 August 2021]. 
• Srivathsan, A., Srivathsan, A., Richards, J., Prizeman, O., Cohn, D., Woodman, E., Editors, A., Mackenzie, A., Priestman, M., Editors, A., Ayers, A., Mollard, M., Mattern, S., Williams, A., Slessor, C., Burte, H. and Ashraf, K., 2021. All in the mound: Maya Somaiya Library in Kopargaon, India, by Sameep Padora + Associates – Architectural Review . [online] Architectural Review. Available at: <https://www.architectural-review.com/buildings/all-in-the-mound-maya-somaiya-library-in-kopargaon-india-by-sameep-padora-associates> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.indiaculture.nic.in/national-library-india> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.indiaculture.nic.in/thanjavur-mah-serfojis-sarawswathi-mahal-library-thanjavur> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• Mumbai.org.uk. 2021. Town Hall Mumbai – History & Architecture . [online] Available at: <https://www.mumbai.org.uk/tourist-attractions/town-hall.html> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• mettle, food!, delicious, lightly, go, cheers, donations?…, Mamata…, Provider…, hand?…, Faced with fiscal challenge, B. and Covid’…, 2021. A unique repository . [online] Deccan Herald. Available at: <https://www.deccanherald.com/sunday-herald/sunday-herald-articulations/a-unique-repository-774739.html> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• En.wikipedia.org. 2021. State Central Library – Wikipedia . [online] Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Central_Library> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• Victorianweb.org. 2021. State Central Library, Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) . [online] Available at: <https://victorianweb.org/history/empire/india/trivandrum/6.html> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• Internet Archive. 2021. The Travancore state manual : Travancore (India) : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive . [online] Available at: <https://archive.org/details/travancorestate00aiyagoog/page/n14/mode/2up> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.lsrsa.edu.in/Re-citing-Libraries.pdf> [Accessed 2 August 2021].

An architect and innovator, Tanisha sees Architecture not as a single entity, rather as a confluence of people, in their time and its lasting imprint left for future explorers to further delve into. In her words, 'Expression is an act of acceptance, either to thyself or the world.

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The Gothic revival of Mumbai's iconic David Sassoon Library

By Neerja Deodhar

In the 19th century, readers at Mumbai’s David Sassoon Library browsed through a rich collection of books in a regal setting: built in the Victorian Gothic style , the library and reading room boasted quaint arches, louvred windows, Minton tiles and lamps. In present times, the vista from its first-storey veranda may be vastly different, but purposeful interventions have ensured the appeal of its design continues to live on.

Before it became a reading room, the building used to house the Bombay Mechanics Institute. As a node to this history, the first floor landing holds a bust of James John Berkley, chief engineer of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway.

A 16-month restoration initiative for the library—which began in February 2022—was born out of conversations between Sangita Jindal, the chairperson of the JSW Foundation, and conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah. Jindal expressed dismay at the lack of proper maintenance. “The David Sassoon Library is a jewel, with great value for students. We should consider its restoration our duty,” she says. The JSW Foundation is a co-donor alongside the ICICI Foundation; together, they partnered with Hermès India, the Kala Ghoda Association, the Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai, the MK Tata Trusts and others to raise funds, making this a multiparty project.

The staircase that leads to the reading room is flanked by a statue of David Sassoon that was carved in the mid-18th century. The arched windows of the library, with their louvred fenestration, have been a defining element since its construction.

By Kriti Saraswat-Satpathy

By Suman Mahfuz Quazi

The cityscape in the Kala Ghoda art district—home to the Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, and Esplanade Mansion—now resembles what it looked like a century ago, Lambah says. “The buildings that constitute this cityscape are its most defining features. Saving them is akin to saving the city’s very identity and memory,” she remarks.

In addition to being an important facet of Jewish Indian heritage and philanthropy, the library is also part of Mumbai’s Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble—a UNESCO-recognized heritage site. Considering its architectural significance, Lambah’s team relied heavily on archival research and documentation. Any newly introduced fixture—like the metal chandeliers—was modelled on its 19th-century counterpart, to ensure that it blended seamlessly into the style of the building.

The design facelift enabled the floor-to-ceiling stacking of books. The restorers’ attention to detail is evidenced through the addition of antique switches and banker’s lamps, and the harmonious balance between brass and wood.

Crucially, Lambah’s team reinstated the original sloping roof of the structure in place of a reinforced cement concrete slab—an “insensitive” addition made after the 1960s, according to Lambah. This flat slab had resulted in considerable leakage-related damages to the structure and the books contained within it. Returning to the original design, with intricate details like cresting and finials, has revived the library’s past architectural glory. Incorporating a Burma teak ceiling and layers of waterproofing made it the project’s most challenging aspect.

The century-old teak tables are ideal for scholastic pursuits. Outside in the veranda, a series of planter’s chairs are placed to offer a sweeping view of the city.

Many of the other changes are centred on enabling a more welcoming and rewarding reader experience, whether it is making the original, gargantuan teak tables easier to use and long-lasting, or rethinking the lighting to allow for longer hours of reading . “It’s a building in active use—our first responsibility was always to the library’s members and readers,” Lambah explains.

Changes in the design of the bookshelves—like replacing the kind of glass used—encourage readers to leisurely look for books rather than relying on a computerized index.

Kanchan Puri, who designed the illumination for the library’s interiors and external façade, says that her process minimized interventions while optimizing flexibility, in order to be respectful of the structure’s architectural rhythm. “The technique of layering the interior lighting allows the beautiful form and the detailing of the roof trusses to be fully revealed after dark for the first time in the building’s history,” she explains. For the external façade, features such as the veranda have been punctuated by light so they radiate with glow. Such decisions were guided by the wisdom that successful lighting on heritage buildings can rekindle interest in a forgotten landmark.

A stroll across the veranda and the terrace reveals the varying patterns of Minton tiles in different rooms—the library is one of Mumbai’s richest examples of this 19th-century flooring. A significant portion of the original tiles, which were imported from England, were retained.

A waning membership, as well as the damage caused to the library’s rare books, made its restoration a pressing issue. Additionally, restoring the external façade and designing its lighting to attract new interest in a forgotten part of the cityscape was one of the key focuses of the project.

Since the library is one of Asia’s oldest functioning reading rooms, one of the key concerns was rehousing nearly 30,000 books across five languages. The bookshelves that housed them are as old as the library itself, thus making them heritage pieces. Their reconstruction, restoration, and placement was informed by the need for structural stability and integrity. Jindal hopes that investing in the institution will be a shot in the arm for its waning membership, as well as the city’s reading culture. “What is needed is the infusion of new energy, so a new generation of readers comes to the library,” she says.

By Kasturi Gadge

By Arantxa Neyra

Photography by Ricardo Labougle

By Cristina Kiran Piotti

Photography by Andrea Ceppi

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Release of ASM Journal Volume 91

We are happy to share with you that on 25 th  November 2023, on the occasion of the Foundation Day of the Asiatic, the Society has released Volume 91 of the ASM Journal. It has come to the Society's  notice   that some unscrupulous elements are collecting money for publishing papers in the Society's Journal and offering bogus certificates. The Asiatic Society does not collect money for publishing in its journal, nor does it guarantee publication, and neither does it issue any certificate. Authors must verify with the Society before submitting any papers, and papers will be published only after rigorous peer review and editing. The Society does not take responsibility for any payments made to third parties claiming to represent the Society, or for their papers appearing in a cloned/spam journal. Ours is a print-only journal. 

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Asiatic Society, Town Hall in Mumbai (Timings & History)

Asiatic Society Mumbai, Town Hall Entry Fee

• 1500 per person for Resident membership (Annual)
• 15,000 per person for Resident membership (Lifetime)
• 60 per person for Reader member
• 500 per person for Annual subscription

Person who donates Rs.1,50,000/- can become a Patron Life Member and one who donates Rs.5,00,000/- can become Donor Life Member if they opt for it.

Asiatic Society Mumbai, Town Hall Phone

022 2266 0956, asiatic society mumbai, town hall timings.

Links: Website | Map

Asiatic Society Mumbai, Town Hall Address : Town Hall, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Fort, Fort , Mumbai , Maharashtra , 400023 , India

Mumbai has its own share of heritage and colonial buildings and the Asiatic Society Town Hall is one among them. Given its history and association with the British era, it becomes an important location that should not be missed by anyone visiting Mumbai.

The Asiatic Society of Mumbai Town Hall was opened as a cultural centre for the British officials residing in Bombay. The Town Hall saw all official announcements and live performances being conducted here since its completion in 1833.

In the present day, it houses the Asiatic Society Library, the State Central Library and a Museum, Head Office of Directorate of Libraries Maharashtra State, Additional Controller of Stamps Office, Maharashtra State Women’s Council and a Post Office.

The heritage building of Asiatic Society of Mumbai Town Hall is located in Fort area of Mumbai, overlooking the Horniman Circle and its grand flight of steps has been a prominent location for shooting many Bollywood movies.

History of Asiatic Society Mumbai Town Hall

The conception of the idea of building a Town Hall was first done by the ‘Literary Society of Bombay’ with the intention of conserving literature, artefacts, cultural and oriental art. However, the society could only raise an amount of INR 10,000 through lotteries and funds which was only sufficient for completing the library and the museum. The funds raised were nowhere near to the amount required to build the entire Town Hall. Hence, the construction was put on hold until the society received funding from the government.

It was only in 1833 that the construction of the Town Hall was completed.

History and Formation of Asiatic Society of Mumbai

The Literary Society of Bombay was founded in 1804 by Sir James Mackintosh, one of the most distinguished lawyers and a public figure in England, with the intention of ‘promoting useful knowledge’. The inspiration behind the formation of the Literary Society of Bombay was taken from Sir William Jones who had established the Asiatic Society of Bengal Presidency around two decades earlier.

It was renamed as Bombay Branch of Royal Asiatic Society (BBRAS) in 1826 after its merger with Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland (RAS). Starting 1841, the society opened its memberships to Indians and the same year saw the society publishing its own journal under the title, ‘Journal of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society’.

After India gained independence, around the year 1954, the Bombay Branch of Royal Asiatic Society separated itself from Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland and was rechristened as the Asiatic Society of Bombay. In the year 2002, it changed its name to Asiatic Society of Mumbai after Bombay was renamed as Mumbai.

Architecture of Asiatic Society Mumbai Town Hall

The Asiatic Society Town Hall of Mumbai was designed by one of the finest engineers of Bombay during the time, Colonel Thomas Cowper. The architecture of the neoclassical Town Hall is a mix of elements from both Greek and Roman architectural styles spanning across 200 feet with a height of 100 feet.

While the entrance of the building is led by a flight of 30 steps, the Doric style columns, which are 8 in number, are lined just at the entrance followed by a Grecian portico. The entire structure is constructed out of stones that were shipped in all the way from England while the ancient Burma teak-wood that covers the floors and used for making the bookshelves were brought in from Myanmar. The spiral staircases inside the Town Hall lead to terraces that are lined with wrought iron that were brought from England.

The building also bears a flagpole and the Indian National Flag is hoisted every year on 15th August and 26th January.

Asiatic Society Mumbai Town Hall Museum

There are fine marble statues and portraits of patrons of the Asiatic Society in the hallway and the Durbar Hall of the Town Hall Museum. Among the other artefacts of the museum, there is a huge collection of ancient coins and gold ‘Mohurs’ belonging to the Mughal era. Among the ‘Mohurs’, one of them is actually an exceptional one that once belonged to the Mughal Emperor Akbar.

Image Gallery of Asiatic Society Mumbai

Asiatic society of mumbai library at the town hall.

The Asiatic Society of Mumbai Library at the Town Hall is famous for its antique collection of 8 lakh books, journals, manuscripts, etc. The exceptional collection of the library includes the 16th century Sanskrit manuscript of Mahabharata, the original 14th century manuscript of Dante’s poem, ‘The Divine Comedy’, over 3000 manuscripts of books in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Persian and Urdu. Other treasures of the library include periodicals, maps, prints and painted folios.

The backbone of the foundation of the original Literary Society in 1804 was on sharing useful knowledge with one and all. As of today, there are two libraries in the Town Hall, one in its North wing and second in the South Wing.

The North Wing was used as the library since the completion of construction of the Town Hall and has been being run by the Asiatic Society of Mumbai. This part of the library is accessible only for the members of the society whereas, the South Wing part of the library is run as State Central Library and is open to readers at a minimal subscription rate.

The entire collection of the manuscripts that are housed in the library have been digitised and can be found on the official website of the society.

Entry Fee and Timings of Asiatic Society Mumbai Town Hall

Timings: Asiatic Society of Mumbai Town Hall is open from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM on all days of the week except on Sundays. The town hall remains closed on Sundays.

Entry Fee: There is a subscription fee rather. One needs to gain a resident membership or a reader membership to enter the town hall and access the books in the library. The membership charges are explained below:

The Annual resident member fee is INR 1,500 per person and the Lifetime resident member fee is INR 15,000 per person.

The Reader membership fee is INR 60 per person while the Annual reader membership fee is INR 500 per person.

P. S – Someone who donates an amount of INR 1,50,000 is invited to become the patron life member. Someone who donates an amount as huge as INR 5,00,000 can become a donor life member, provided they are willing to do so.

Places to Visit near Asiatic Society Mumbai Town Hall

Horniman Circle (Former Elphinstone Garden), St. Thomas Church , Mumbai Samachar Building, Flora Fountain , Colaba Causeway , Gateway of India , Marine Drive , Chowpatty Beach , Malabar Hill , Fashion Street, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus , Chhatrapati Shivaji Vastu Sangrahalaya , Jehangir Art Gallery , Institute of Contemporary Indian Arts, National Gallery of Modern Art, Bombay High Court , Ballard Bunder Gatehouse and Taraporewala Aquarium are located nearby.

How to Reach Asiatic Society Mumbai Town Hall

Due to its close proximity to both Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (on the main line) and Churchgate (on the western line) stations, the Asiatic Society Mumbai Town Hall can be reached from both stations. One needs to hire a taxi from both stations to reach the town hall.

Local buses, known as BEST buses are also a good option to reach the town hall. One may board a bus CST bus depot that is right outside the CST railway station.

Alternatively, visitors may also hire a cab from top car rental companies in Mumbai to reach the Town Hall.

To help you plan your Mumbai Tour in the best possible manner we at Mumbai Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA offer Mumbai Tour packages at pocket friendly prices. The package includes accommodation and tour of all popular places to visit in Mumbai in a private cab. Please fill the Contact Us form to know more about our packages and existing deals.

Location Map for Asiatic Society Mumbai, Town Hall

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• Pali Beach Resort & Water Park, Mumbai
• Bandra Fort Mumbai / Castella de Aguada
• Royal Garden Resort & Water Park, Mumbai
• Anand Sagar Resort & Water Park, Mumbai
• Panoramic Resort and Water Park, Mumbai
• Shanti Sagar Resort & Water Park, Mumbai
• Magic Mountain Amusement Park, Lonavala
• Vardhman Fantasy Amusement Park, Mumbai
• Wet N Joy Water & Amusement Park, Lonavala
• Mumbai Film City / Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagri
• Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Mandai / Crawford Market, Mumbai
• Mumbai Zoo / Veer Mata Jijabai Bhonsale Park / Byculla Mumbai
• Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai
• Glowmagica at Imagicaa Mumbai