View source for Asiatic Society of Mumbai Town Hall

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2022}}
{{infobox building
| image = Mumbai 03-2016 70 Asiatic Society Library.jpg
| caption = Steps leading up to the pillars and entrance of the Town Hall building
| architectural_style = [[Neoclassical architecture]]
| location = Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, [[Mumbai]]
| coordinates = {{coord|18.931589|72.836131|display=inline}}
| website = {{url|asiaticsociety.org.in}}
| completion_date = 1833
| building_type = Library and town hall
| architect = Colonel Thomas Cowper, [[Bombay Engineers]]
| alternate_names = Asiatic Library Building, Town Hall
| location_country = [[India]]
| pushpin_map = India Mumbai
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'''The Asiatic Society of Mumbai Town Hall''' or '''Town Hall Mumbai''' is a [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] building located in the [[Fort (Mumbai precinct)|Fort]] locality of [[South Mumbai]]. It houses [[The Asiatic Society of Mumbai]], State Central Library and a museum, the head office of the Directorate of Libraries Maharashtra State,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dol.maharashtra.gov.in/en/dol_head_office|title=DOL- Head Office|last=admin|date=2017-02-13|website=dol.maharashtra.gov.in|language=en|access-date=2019-10-06}}</ref> Maharashtra State Women's Council, the Additional Controller of Stamps Office and a post office.

== History ==
In 1811, the plan for construction began. Initially, the construction of the town hall (colloquially Called "Tondal" in the 19th century) could not be completed because of the lack of funds; only the library and museum were built after raising an amount of Rs.10,000 through a lottery conducted by the 'Literary Society of Bombay' (Mumbai). Construction was eventually completed in 1833.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mumbai.org.uk/tourist-attractions/town-hall.html|title=Town Hall Mumbai - History & Architecture|website=www.mumbai.org.uk|access-date=2019-10-07}}</ref>

==Architecture==
The building was designed by Colonel Thomas Cowper of the Bombay Engineers.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://asiaticsociety.org.in/index.php/about-us/history-asiatic|title=History|website=asiaticsociety.org.in|access-date=2019-10-06}}</ref> The architectural style of the building is [[Neoclassical architecture]] that came into existence in the 18th century.{{fact|date=June 2022}}

== Structure ==
The structure has a height of {{cvt|30|m|ft}} and a span of {{cvt|61|m|ft}}. It was inspired by Greek and Roman styles of architecture. There is a flight of 30 steps leading to the entrance of the Town Hall. The entrance of the building is adorned with a Grecian portico and eight Doric styled pillars. The entire construction was made of stones brought from England and was designed in a [[Neoclassical architecture|Neo-classical]] fashion. Within the building are wooden floors, spiral staircases, and terraces adorned with wrought iron. The hall boasts of a collection of marble statues of Indian patrons of the 19th century.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mumbai.org.uk/tourist-attractions/town-hall.html|title=Town Hall Mumbai - History & Architecture|website=www.mumbai.org.uk|access-date=2019-10-07}}</ref> 

There is also a flagpole on the building on which the [[Flag of India|Indian National Flag]] is hoisted on the [[Independence Day (India)|15th of August]] and [[Republic Day (India)|26th of January]], every year.

==Significance==
The Asiatic Society of Mumbai Town Hall is a classified heritage structure. Sir John Malcolm, Governor of Mumbai in 1930 said, "It is the most magnificent structure that taste and munificence combined have as yet erected in India".<ref name="auto"/>

There are many ancient manuscripts in Persian, Prakrit, Urdu and Sanskrit along with other treasures preserved in the hall. [[Dante Alighieri|Dante]]'s first issue of [[Inferno (Dante)|Inferno]] is one of the treasures kept at the town hall.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mumbai.org.uk/tourist-attractions/town-hall.html|title=Town Hall Mumbai - History & Architecture|website=www.mumbai.org.uk|access-date=2019-10-07}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Bombay Town Hall, view from beside the Horniman Circle.jpg|Town Hall from beside the Horniman Circle
File:Town Hall, Mumbai- Oblique view.jpg|Town Hall- Oblique view
File:Plaque at Town Hall, Mumbai.jpg|Plaque at Town Hall
File:Pillars and Entrance at Town Hall, from within.jpg|Pillars and Entrance at Town Hall, from within
</gallery>
== References ==
<references />

{{DEFAULTSORT:Asiatic Society of Mumbai Town Hall}}

[[Category:Government buildings in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Neoclassical architecture in India]]
[[Category:1833 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Mumbai]]