My Top Ten Museums : 1 - Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai

I love visiting museums. Today I begin a series of 10 posts on my top 10 museums of the country. And they are in no particular order.

1  1) Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai. 

Named after the first Indian sheriff of then Bombay, and who was also the prime fundraiser, this is the oldest, though not the biggest museum in Mumbai. Completely renovated in 2008, but totally faithful to the original Palladian architecture, the exquisite building is most incongruously located inside the zoo, the very antithesis of civilization. All those visiting the zoo invariably enter the museum, more out of misinformed curiosity, often resulting in overcrowding during the weekends. The interiors sizzle with Minton tiles, ornamental columns, sparkling chandeliers and a grand staircase. The building is as interesting as the exhibits it houses. Occupying two storeys, the museum is rather compact and thus easy on the feet. The upper floor has a section devoted to the origin and evolution of Bombay, which is very compelling. The lower floor has objets d’art in a variety of media with copious, but lucid notes on their craftsmanship. If you want to know, for example, the difference between Bidri and Dokra, this is the place. The upper storey also houses a special exhibition that changes periodically. Not very well known even to Mumbaikars, this museum is a little gem.

No photographs, as it is forbidden.