Raj To Swaraj: Inside Raj Bhavan Mumbai
By A Draft Correspondent
The official residence of the Governor of Maharashtra, Raj Bhavan Mumbai at Malabar Hill is one of the most beautiful zones in Mumbai. Surrounded by the Arabian Sea on three sides, the Raj Bhavan Complex is frozen in time and cloaked in history.
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| The gallery of Indian revolutionaries, Kranti-Gatha Museum, is a treasure trove of history |
Nestled on nearly 50 acres of land, the Raj Bhavan offers a tranquil retreat in its picturesque charm and a peep into the legacy spanning a century and a half.
Within the confines of Mumbai's Raj Bhavan, one can find a treasure trove of exquisite artifacts, including beautiful carpets, paintings, intricately carved doors and elegant French-style chairs and sofas adorned with intricate portraits.
Visitors often find themselves captivated by the rich history embodied within these walls, as well as the fascinating items displayed. It serves as a valuable resource for art and history enthusiasts, satisfying their curiosity about the building's heritage.
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| The visitors are fascinated by the flurry of peacocks in the complex |
Apart from the Sunrise Gallery that offers breath-taking views of the sunrise against the sea and Mumbai's skyline, the complex houses a post-office, a Devi temple, thick forests, a sandy beach, a pleasant flurry of vividly-hued peacocks strutting about and … the most recent discovery, the Underground Bunker Museum.
The Devi Temple
The Koli’s tryst with the sea is legendary and is known to revere the Devi every time he moves along the treacherous sea-waters dodging the sharp rocks on the way.
The temple's idols gaze beyond the harbour's curve, bearing witness to the vast horizons of history. And, as centuries passed, the temple witnessed the arrival of various invaders on its shores.
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| Sri Gundi Temple within the Raj Bhavan premises is frequented by the native Kolis |
Over the years, when the old temple fell to ruins, the devotees established a temple below the Point Bungalow overlooking the bay to commemorate the memory of Sri (Gundi) - the Goddess of the Rocks.
Why, even Chhatrapati Shivaji is believed to have visited the temple incognito to seek the Devi’s blessings.
Underground British-Era Bunker
A 150-meter-long British-era bunker was discovered by the-then Maharashtra Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao on 16 August 2016. It was built before the First World War when Raj Bhavan served as the ‘Government House’ of the Bombay Presidency.
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| The British-era bunker was discovered in 2016 by the-then Governor of Maharashtra |
The bunker had 13 rooms bearing names such as Shell Store, Gun Shell, Cartridge Store, Shell Lift, Pump, Central Artillery Store, Workshop, etc.
This bunker stood as a truly unique architectural marvel, unlike anything found elsewhere in India. The structural audit was subsequently conducted by IIT Bombay, followed by necessary reinforcement work, including waterproofing, electrification, air-conditioning and other related enhancements.
Kranti-Gatha Museum
On 14 June 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kranti-Gatha Museum, a gallery commemorating the lives of Indian Revolutionaries, at the bunker. It showcases various murals, busts and paintings of both well-known and unsung heroes who played pivotal roles in India's struggle for independence. The gallery was meticulously curated under the guidance of historian and writer Dr. Vikram Sampath.
Right from the First War of Indian Independence in 1857 to the Naval Mutiny in Mumbai in 1946, the museum pays tributes to the state’s freedom fighters.
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| A depiction of Chhatrapati Shivaji's coronation in Kranti-Gatha Museum |
These include Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Chapekar Bandhu, Babarao Savarkar, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Madame Bhikaji Cama, the first-organised secret society of India - Abhinav Bharat, Ganesh Vishnu Pingle, Shivram Rajguru and several others.
The Key Structures
The Raj Bhavan complex has an array of structures such as Atal Udyan, Jal Chintan, Jal Lakshan, Jal Vihar, Jal Sabhagraha, etc.
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| Jal Sabhagraha or Durbar Hall is the venue for important events such as swearing-in ceremonies |
Jal Vihar, the erstwhile Banquet Hall, is where the Governor hosts banquets for dignitaries and visiting Heads of State. Carved screens separate the dining area from the reception hall.
Jal Sabhagraha or Durbar Hall overlooks the sea and is used by the Governor to felicitate litterateurs and artists and host Swearing-In ceremonies.
The Raj Bhavan Tour
The Raj Bhavan office conducts pre-dawn tours of the complex for members of the public who arrive from far with children and the elderly for a peep into the region’s rich history.
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| Raj Bhavan PRO Umesh Kashikar addressing the visitors |
After leaving home in the wee hours, Vashi-based Deepanjan Gupta arrived for the early morning tour with wife Jaya and son Jairanjan.
"The facility has been maintained nicely and the tour was very informative especially for my son. It was well worth the rush in the morning," he says.
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| Deepanjan Gupta with wife Jaya and son Jairanjan |
Newly-married Ankita and Siddhant Jadhav from Lalbaug chanced upon a friend's reel on Instagram where she learnt about the Raj Bhavan tour.
"It's a different experience and a great way to know our history. I recommend this tour to anyone keen on learning about our journey of independence," says Ankita.
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| Ankita with husband Siddhant Jadhav |
It's the children who benefit the most from such tours which are few and far between considering the surge in cyber activities and mobile craze, realised Kandivali-based Hetal Vakharia during her visit with husband Arkit and children Riyaan and Ishika to Raj Bhavan for the morning tour.
"They had a great time during this tour," said Hetal. "It's a wonderful learning curve for them, considering the sea of knowledge available and the options to partake in nature and physical activities while doing so. Why, they had so much fun chasing peacocks too while at it," added husband Arkit.
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| Arkit and Hetal Vakharia with children Riyaan and Ishika |
"Instead of the usual visits to Malls that most children indulge in, this sort of an outing is a welcome change," added Hetal.
The tour includes a mesmerising view of the sunrise, a walk through the historic precincts, a visit to the Devi Temple, a guided stroll through the Kranti-Gatha Museum of Indian revolutionaries and an informative talk on the state’s journey from ... Raj To Swaraj!
Watch The Draft documentary on Raj Bhavan Mumbai 'Raj To Swaraj' here.
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