Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

Maximum City was, on and off, home to me for more than 15 years. And in those years, while I have passed it many times, never have I as much as ventured past its gates.

It was formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India.

Until, about a year and a half ago, just before the virus struck. On one of those lazy Sundays, with nothing better to do, my good old friend, philosopher, and expert in all things nefarious and dark decided to give me a crash course on the history of the city. And what better place to start than a whirlwind tour of South Mumbai.

The musuem is is the work of George Wittet.

Among our first stops was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. Home to over 50,000 exhibits that cover ancient Indian history and foreign lands, including artifacts and relics from the Indus Civilization, and from the time of the Guptas, Mauryas, Chalukyas, and Rashtrakuta.

The foundation stone for the musuem was laid in 1905 and completed in 1915.

Formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, it was founded and built by a committee including leading citizens of the city, with the help of the government, to honor and commemorate the visit of King George V.

It is home to over 50,000 exhibits that cover ancient Indian and foreign history.

The foundation stone was laid in 1905 and completed in 1915. However, with the onset of the 1st World War, it was used as a Military Hospital and Children’s Welfare Centre. It was only after the end of the war, in 1920, that it was handed back to the committee. It was finally inaugurated on the 10th of January 1922.

It is the work of George Wittet, who had already left his stamp on the city with the building of the General Post Office in 1911 and another famous landmark that would be completed in 1924 – the Gateway of India.