Attraction
Gateway of India
The 1924 basalt arch on the Apollo Bunder waterfront, built to mark a royal visit and now the departure point for Elephanta ferries.
Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum
Mumbai's oldest museum, opened in 1872 as the Victoria and Albert Museum, with a restored interior and collections on the city's history and crafts.
At a glance
- Type
- City history museum
- Area
- Byculla, Mumbai, India
- Official site
- bdlmuseum.org
Good to know
- Botanical garden setting
Why we recommend it
The Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Byculla is the oldest museum in Mumbai and one of the oldest in India. It was established in 1855 as the Government Central Museum and opened in its present building in 1872 as the Victoria and Albert Museum, Bombay, before being renamed after Dr. Bhau Daji Lad. It sits inside the Veer Mata Jijabai Bhonsle Udyan, the public garden widely known as Jijamata Udyan.
The museum is celebrated as much for its building as for its contents. A painstaking restoration led by the conservation architect Vikas Dilawari won UNESCO's Asia-Pacific Award of Excellence for cultural heritage conservation in 2005, and the restored interior is a highlight in itself. After a further two-year restoration that followed the pandemic closures, the museum reopened to the public on 8 January 2025.
The permanent collection tells the story of Mumbai and its crafts. You will find maps and historical photographs of the city, clay models showing the people and trades of the region, fine silver and copper ware, costumes and a 17th-century manuscript of the tale of Hatim Tai. Outside stand two large pieces with their own stories: the statue of King Edward VII on a black horse that gave the Kala Ghoda district its name, moved here from its original site, and a monolithic basalt elephant brought from Elephanta Island.
It makes a good counterpart to the larger CSMVS in the Fort, which concentrates on Indian art rather than the story of the city. This is a museum for people interested in how Mumbai grew, and it is compact enough to see properly in about an hour and a half. It is a good choice for families, as the garden setting gives children space to run around before or after the galleries. Check the official website for current opening times and any temporary exhibitions before you visit.
The museum is in Byculla East, north of the Fort district, and is easy to reach by taxi. The surrounding garden is a pleasant place for a walk, and the visit combines well with Crawford Market and Chor Bazaar further south if you want to see more of the older city on the same day.
Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum FAQs
Is the museum open?
It reopened on 8 January 2025 after a two-year restoration; check the official website for current hours.
How old is the museum?
It was established in 1855 and opened in its current building in 1872, making it the oldest museum in Mumbai.
What was it originally called?
The Victoria and Albert Museum, Bombay, and before that the Government Central Museum.
What are the highlights?
The restored interior, maps and photographs of old Mumbai, clay models, metalware and the Kala Ghoda statue outside.
How long should you allow?
About an hour and a half for the museum, more if you walk in the garden.
Is it good for families?
Yes. It is compact and set in a large public garden.
Where is the Elephanta elephant?
The basalt elephant from Elephanta Island stands in the museum grounds.
What is nearby?
The Jijamata Udyan garden surrounds the museum, and Crawford Market and Chor Bazaar are a short taxi ride south.