After a five-year snooze, Mumbai’s 168-year-old Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum has finally thrown open its doors on January 9, 2025. The city’s oldest museum has undergone a ₹2.8 crore facelift courtesy of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Located in the grounds of Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan & Zoo (Byculla Zoo), the museum last underwent repair work in the mid-2000s.
Restoration highlights:
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Closed in 2020, the museum underwent critical repairs after a structural audit revealed the need for extensive work.
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The restoration spanned 18 months, beginning in March 2023, with a dedicated team of 30 workers.
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The Grade II-B heritage site, spread over 25,000 square feet, was given a fresh coat of celadon green, a colour favoured by museums worldwide. The gilded structures were also polished, preserving the original gold detailing.
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Waterproofing, carpentry, and the revival of intricate architectural carvings were all part of the restoration process.
A museum with a legacy
Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Maharashtra’s oldest and India’s third oldest, was built in 1862 and opened in 1871. It was initially known as Victoria and Albert Museum before being renamed in 1975 after Dr. Ramachandra Vitthal Lad (Bhau Daji Lad). Now, the museum houses over 15,000 artefacts, spread across six sections.
While the museum’s 152-year-old structure has been restored, future plans include an expansion to showcase over 1,000 artefacts currently in storage.
