Standing tall in the heart of South Mumbai, the Rajabai Clock Tower isn't just another heritage building—it's a love letter carved in stone. At 280 feet high, this Victorian Gothic marvel has been ticking away for over 146 years, witnessing Mumbai's transformation from colonial Bombay to India's financial powerhouse. But what makes this tower truly special isn't just its architectural brilliance; it's the deeply personal story behind why it was built.

A Son's Love Immortalized in Stone

Picture this: It's 1869, and Premchand Roychand, one of Mumbai's wealthiest stockbrokers and founder of the Bombay Stock Exchange, faces a dilemma. His mother, Rajabai, is a devout follower of Jainism who must finish her dinner before sunset. But there's a problem—she's visually impaired and struggles to keep track of time.

Roychand's solution? Build an entire clock tower that would chime every fifteen minutes, loud enough for his mother to hear from their home nearby. He donated the entire construction cost of ₹2 lakhs (approximately ₹550,000 by completion)—an astronomical sum in those days—with one condition: the tower must be named after his mother.

This wasn't just philanthropy; it was devotion. And today, every time the Rajabai Clock Tower chimes across South Mumbai, it echoes a son's love for his mother.

Mumbai's Answer to Big Ben

When Sir George Gilbert Scott, the celebrated British architect behind London's Albert Memorial, was commissioned to design the tower, he drew inspiration from the iconic Big Ben. The result? Mumbai got its very own clock tower, but with a distinctly Indian soul.

The construction began on March 1, 1869, and took nearly a decade to complete, finally opening in November 1878. At the time, it was the tallest structure in Mumbai—a towering testament to the city's growing prominence during the British Raj.

Where Gothic Meets Venetian: The Architecture

The Rajabai Clock Tower is a masterclass in architectural fusion. It seamlessly blends Venetian and Gothic Revival styles, creating something uniquely Bombay.

Key Architectural Features:

The Materials: Built using locally sourced buff-colored Kurla stone, with decorative elements brought all the way from Porbandar, the tower is a celebration of regional craftsmanship. The sculptures adorning the façade were created by talented Indian artisans from the Sir J.J. School of Art, guided by Sir Lockwood Kipling (yes, Rudyard Kipling's father).

The Structure: The ground floor features two side rooms, each measuring 56 × 27.5 feet, with a carriage porch and spiral staircases on either end. The tower starts with a square form that rises 68 feet to the first gallery, then transforms into an octagonal shape—a design choice that adds visual drama and architectural intrigue.

Stained Glass Windows: Among Mumbai's finest, these colorful glass panels flood the interior with vibrant light, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere. While some windows have weathered over the decades, the remaining ones still showcase exquisite craftsmanship.

The Pointed Arches: Classic Gothic elements combine with Islamic architectural influences, creating arches that soar upward—a symbolic gesture that reflects Mumbai's multicultural identity.

The Finial: Crowning the tower at 94 feet above the second stage, the ornate finial brings the total height to 280 feet, making it impossible to miss from Oval Maidan.

The Chimes That Once Ruled Mumbai

During the British era, the Rajabai Clock Tower was more than a timekeeper—it was a cultural institution. The clock played sixteen different tunes throughout the day, including "Rule Britannia," "God Save the King," "Home! Sweet Home!" and "A Handel Symphony." These melodies would change four times daily, creating a soundtrack for colonial Bombay.

Today, the tradition continues, though simplified. The clock chimes every fifteen minutes with a single tune, its sound cutting through the chaos of Mumbai's traffic—a reminder of slower, more graceful times.

The Man Who Keeps Time Alive

Here's something most visitors don't know: the Rajabai Clock Tower doesn't run on electricity. In an age of automation and smart technology, this 146-year-old clock is kept alive by human hands.

Meet Mahendra Prasad Gupta, the dedicated electrician who climbs 236 steps every single day to wind the clock manually. For over a decade, Gupta has been the unsung hero ensuring that Mumbai's time never stops. "It is my passion to keep it alive. Our traditional system should keep running so the clock keeps chiming," he says.

While the rest of Mumbai races ahead on digital time, Gupta's daily ritual connects the city to its heritage—one winding at a time.

From Neglect to UNESCO Glory

By the early 2000s, the Rajabai Clock Tower had fallen into disrepair. Years of weather, pollution, and neglect had taken their toll on the structure. But between October 2013 and May 2015, an extensive restoration project breathed new life into the tower.

The collaboration between the Heritage Society (led by Anita Garware), University of Mumbai (under Vice-Chancellor Rajan Welukar), and Tata Consultancy Services (with CEO N Chandrasekar) resulted in a restoration so exemplary that UNESCO took notice.

In 2018, the Rajabai Clock Tower, along with the University of Mumbai Library, received the prestigious UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation. That same year, it was included in Mumbai's Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble, which earned World Heritage Site status—a global recognition of its cultural significance.

Part of Mumbai's Gothic Precinct

The Rajabai Clock Tower doesn't stand alone. It's part of Mumbai's magnificent neo-Gothic precinct in the Fort area, surrounded by other architectural gems:

• Mumbai High Court: Another Gothic Revival masterpiece

• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST): A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's most stunning railway stations

• David Sassoon Library: A beautiful public library building

• University of Mumbai Campus: Gothic buildings that transport you to Victorian England

From Oval Maidan, you get one of the best views in the city—the neo-Gothic cluster to the east and the Art Deco buildings to the west. It's like standing between two different eras of Mumbai's architectural evolution.

A Closed Treasure

Here's the bittersweet part: while you can admire the Rajabai Clock Tower from outside, you can't go inside. The tower was closed to the public after it became a site for suicide attempts. Safety concerns forced authorities to restrict access, and the decision has remained in place.

However, this doesn't diminish the experience. The tower's exterior is stunning enough, and viewing it from Oval Maidan—especially during late afternoon when golden light illuminates the Gothic façade—is absolutely magical.

Visiting Rajabai Clock Tower: Everything You Need to Know

Location

Fort Campus, University of Mumbai, M.G. Road, Fort, Mumbai 400032

Best Time to Visit

• Late afternoon: The golden hour light creates stunning photo opportunities

• Winter months (November to February): Pleasant weather and lower humidity make walking around more comfortable

• Weekdays: Less crowded than weekends

How to Reach

By Train:

• Churchgate Station (Western Railway) - 10-minute walk

• CST/VT Station (Central Railway) - 15-minute walk

By Metro:

• Nearest station is Churchgate

By Bus: Multiple BEST buses connect to Fort area from all parts of Mumbai

By Taxi/Ride-sharing: Available from anywhere in the city. Tell your driver "University of Mumbai, Fort"

What's Nearby

Make a day of your heritage walk:

1. Oval Maidan: The sprawling green ground right in front of the tower—perfect for photographs

2. Flora Fountain: 10-minute walk—another colonial-era landmark

3. Gateway of India: 20-minute walk or short taxi ride

4. Colaba Causeway: Great for shopping and street food

5. Marine Drive: Evening stroll along Mumbai's Queen's Necklace

6. Kala Ghoda: The art district with galleries, cafes, and the iconic Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue

Entry Fee

FREE! You can view and photograph the tower from outside at no cost

Photography Tips

• Shoot from Oval Maidan for full tower views

• Early morning offers soft light and fewer crowds

• Sunset creates dramatic silhouettes

• Include the surrounding Gothic buildings for context

• Use a wide-angle lens to capture the tower's full height

Why Mumbai Hype Loves This Landmark

In a city constantly racing toward the future, the Rajabai Clock Tower is a gentle reminder to slow down. It represents everything we love about Mumbai—its layered history, architectural diversity, multicultural roots, and the human stories behind grand monuments.

It's not just about Gothic arches and Venetian influences. It's about a mother who needed to hear the time, a son who loved her enough to build a tower, a craftsman who climbs 236 steps daily, and a city that refuses to forget its past even as it builds its future.

Whether you're a history buff, architecture enthusiast, or just someone who appreciates beautiful things, the Rajabai Clock Tower deserves a spot on your Mumbai itinerary. Stand in Oval Maidan, look up at those 280 feet of buff-colored stone reaching toward the sky, and listen for the chimes. You're not just witnessing architecture; you're connecting with over a century of Mumbai's heartbeat.

Quick Facts at a Glance

• Height: 85 meters (280 feet)

• Construction Period: 1869-1878

• Architect: Sir George Gilbert Scott

• Architectural Style: Venetian-Gothic fusion

• Material: Kurla stone with Porbandar stone decorations

• UNESCO Recognition: 2018 (Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation)

• World Heritage Status: Part of Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble (2018)

• Funded By: Premchand Roychand

• Cost: ₹550,000 (1878 equivalent)

• Current Status: Closed to public but visible from outside

The next time you're in South Mumbai, take a detour to the Fort area. Stand before the Rajabai Clock Tower and imagine colonial-era Bombay coming to life—horse carriages on cobblestone streets, the melodies of "Rule Britannia" floating through the air, and a devoted son ensuring his mother never misses dinner time.

That's the magic of Mumbai. Every tower tells a story, every chime carries history, and every stone holds memories. The Rajabai Clock Tower isn't just a monument; it's a reminder that the best architecture comes from the heart.