Rajabai Clock Tower
Rajabai Tower is a well-known clock tower in South Mumbai. It is located on the Mumbai University Fort Campus, next to the High Court. The tower is unquestionably a work of exquisite beauty. It has grown into one of Mumbai's most popular tourist destinations. Sir Gilbert Scott designed the tower after seeing the Big Ben clock tower in London. The tower's foundation stone was laid in March 1869. The majestic tower houses a large clock that can be seen from afar. At regular intervals, the clock also plays melodic tunes. The tower is richly decorated with oriental figures and has many impressive features. Do not skip a visit to this location if you are on a tour to Mumbai. It is among Mumbai's most beautiful architectural designs. The mother of Premchand Roychand, the company's founder, is honored with a tower named Rajabai.
The first step toward the construction of the Rajabai tower was taken on March 1, 1869, when the foundation stone was laid. The model was inspired by Sir Gilbert Scott, an English architect. Premchand Roychand, a wealthy broker who founded the Bombay Stock Exchange, agreed to fund the tower's construction. The total cost of the monument after construction was estimated to be Rs.2 lakh, which was a large sum in those days.
The name Rajabai tower is a tribute to Premchand's blind mother. Because Premchand's family adhered strictly to Jainism, his mother ate dinner before sunset, and the tower's evening bell helped her tell the time on her own. Then she would eat the meal by herself. Premchand wanted the tower to be named after his mother Rajabai because he was the only one who contributed to its construction.
Rajabai Tower is praised for its incredible architecture. It offers viewers a beautiful fusion of the Gothic and Venetian architectural styles. The buff-colored Kurla stone, which was widely available in Mumbai at the time, was the primary building material used in its construction. One of its best features is the stained glass windows, which are frequently regarded as the best in the city. Two rooms and a narrow staircase can be found on the tower's ground floor. From the ground level to the top of the first level, where a gallery is located, the tower has a square shape. The tower then changes to an octagon shape. Among the sixteen tunes played during the British era were "Rule Britannia," "God Save the King," "Home! Sweet Home!" and "A Handel Symphony." The music was changed four times per day. However, only one tune is now played every fifteen minutes. In addition, the tower was closed to the public following several reports of suicidal attempts by visitors.
Year of construction: 1 March 1869
Total Height: 280 feet (85 m)
Location: Mumbai, India
