Bhau Daji Lad Museum
Bhau Daji Lad Museum
4
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Neighbourhood: Byculla
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4.0
207 reviews
Excellent
89
Very good
87
Average
25
Poor
3
Terrible
3
Peter P
428 contributions
Jan 2020
The Bhau Daji Lad Museum is a gem of a place with fascinating exhibits on arts, crafts, and industry (the ground floor), as well as on the history of Mumbai (upstairs). Restored in the past ten years to its original glory, the beautiful building itself is worth the visit. There was a lovely, intelligent, highly informative, and friendly young guide offering a free tour. You could seeping half an hour here, or you could spend four hours studying the profusion oof beautiful objects.
Hint: since this museum is not located in the heart of the city, you should arrange (that is, bargain like crazy), to hire a cab, ask the driver to wait for you, and then drive you back. We were staying in Colaba and arranged hits for 700 rupees but gave him 900 for his good driving and service.
Hint: since this museum is not located in the heart of the city, you should arrange (that is, bargain like crazy), to hire a cab, ask the driver to wait for you, and then drive you back. We were staying in Colaba and arranged hits for 700 rupees but gave him 900 for his good driving and service.
Written 25 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Payal S
Mumbai, India24 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
I have visited this museum many times with different friends. It's a beautiful historical building that used to be the the Vicotoria and Albert Museum and now has its name changed. It showcases many handicrafts from India that show different kind of craftsmanship. They do free tours over the weekends.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sudeep Paralkar
Mumbai, India668 contributions
Feb 2015 • Family
The Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum ( is the oldest museum in Mumbai. Situated in Byculla East in premises of Zoo
This museum houses a large number of archaeological finds, maps and historical photographs of Mumbai, clay models, silver and copper ware and costumes.
It primary focus in early history of Mumbai .
It is also well maintained and restored thanks to Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, the Jamanlal Bajaj Foundation and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).
Most interesting part was models of various communities residing in Mumbai
Highly recommended for those who would like to peep in early history of Mumbai . Would take two to three hours . Parking is not a problem since it located inside the Zoo premises
This museum houses a large number of archaeological finds, maps and historical photographs of Mumbai, clay models, silver and copper ware and costumes.
It primary focus in early history of Mumbai .
It is also well maintained and restored thanks to Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, the Jamanlal Bajaj Foundation and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).
Most interesting part was models of various communities residing in Mumbai
Highly recommended for those who would like to peep in early history of Mumbai . Would take two to three hours . Parking is not a problem since it located inside the Zoo premises
Written 7 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dsg2123
New York, NY1 contribution
This museum is wonderfully restored, and it is worth the trip somewhat outside of the main downtown/touristy area of Mumbai just to see the vibrant inside of the building. The first floor features an extensive and beautiful collection decorative arts, and lets you see the incredibly diverse crafts that are made in India. The second floor is an ethnographic exhibit. The dioramas and figurines seem a bit cheesy at first, but once you give them a chance you realize they are actually quite useful in helping a western visitor get a sense of the fundamental makeup of India. Furthermore, some of the figurines and displays were made by the British decades ago, so it is interesting to see their interpretation of and vision for Indian--which seems both simplistic and unrealistic (see the "Ideal Indian Village" to get what I mean.) Definitely one of the top museums in Mumbai--maybe the best overall.
Written 19 January 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vrvaid
Mumbai, India1,172 contributions
This recently renovated museum is very spic and clean, well organised and has two levels displaying history of Mumbai.
Old medallions, coins, armoury, brass and porcelain items... Original Mumbadevi brass statue- on which Mumbai got its name and many more artefacts that display how Mumbai grew over the years from few islands to a modern city. Displays also show various old time local games both played in house and outdoors in the city.
Though not very large, the displays are well arranged with comfortable spaces for people to have a detailed careful study.
If one has time and inclination to know Mumai history, this is a place to go.
Old medallions, coins, armoury, brass and porcelain items... Original Mumbadevi brass statue- on which Mumbai got its name and many more artefacts that display how Mumbai grew over the years from few islands to a modern city. Displays also show various old time local games both played in house and outdoors in the city.
Though not very large, the displays are well arranged with comfortable spaces for people to have a detailed careful study.
If one has time and inclination to know Mumai history, this is a place to go.
Written 3 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
prajesh d
New Delhi, India64 contributions
Sept 2013 • Friends
Great collection of items but totally disappointing as SLR cameras are not allowed inside but any other cameras are.... strange rule ruined my visit.
Written 21 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Audrey T
New York City, NY157 contributions
The building alone makes this place worth seeing. It's been recently renovated and it quite stunning. Note that there's a video that explains the entire renovation process in English on the second floor of the museum.
The collection itself kind of depends on your tastes. A lot of arts and crafts as well as extensive scenes with small figurine things. If you're interested in the state of craft production in the mid-19th century, then you'll be fascinated. Also I noticed that a number of children were pretty intrigued by the miniature scene set-ups.
A few practical points. The museum's posted hours as of late Dec. 2009 are 10-6 p.m., closed on Wednesdays. Admission is 100 rupees for foreigners. The museum is right next to the zoo, i.e. Victoria Gardens which was kind of nice to walk through as well (at the nominal cost of 5 rupees). Also, just outside the museum is the stone elephant from Elephanta Island that the Portuguese removed. It's a 10-15 minute cab ride from Colaba.
The collection itself kind of depends on your tastes. A lot of arts and crafts as well as extensive scenes with small figurine things. If you're interested in the state of craft production in the mid-19th century, then you'll be fascinated. Also I noticed that a number of children were pretty intrigued by the miniature scene set-ups.
A few practical points. The museum's posted hours as of late Dec. 2009 are 10-6 p.m., closed on Wednesdays. Admission is 100 rupees for foreigners. The museum is right next to the zoo, i.e. Victoria Gardens which was kind of nice to walk through as well (at the nominal cost of 5 rupees). Also, just outside the museum is the stone elephant from Elephanta Island that the Portuguese removed. It's a 10-15 minute cab ride from Colaba.
Written 29 December 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kiwi on Tour
Auckland Central, New Zealand26 contributions
Oct 2019
Got accused of not having a ticket to be there while I was mid way around the museum which was odd because you need one to get through, other wise I wasnt fussed.
Written 20 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RituSShah
Mumbai, India37 contributions
Oct 2019 • Family
Bhaudaji lad museum at Byculla has some unique collections of maps of old Bombay & it's islands. Dioramas depicting Indian lifestyles, historical episodes & mythological narratives. Pottery, Paintings, carvings in ivory,wood,marbles & stones. Embossed silvers, brass & alloys from different regions of the country showing the diversity & uniqueness that's so mesmerizing. More so, it captures the essence of "Bombay" & it's history.
A new & short addition to the exhibits is a wonderful showcase of Miniature costumes depicting the styles & fabrics worn by Maharajas of India between 1850- 1950 by Mrs Geeta Khandelwal. This exhibit is only until 28th of October 2019.
A must visit with your kids to this lovely place that's in our very own Mumbai !!
#bhaudajiladmuseum #mumbaimuseums
A new & short addition to the exhibits is a wonderful showcase of Miniature costumes depicting the styles & fabrics worn by Maharajas of India between 1850- 1950 by Mrs Geeta Khandelwal. This exhibit is only until 28th of October 2019.
A must visit with your kids to this lovely place that's in our very own Mumbai !!
#bhaudajiladmuseum #mumbaimuseums
Written 12 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nmehendale
Mumbai, India20 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
Museums are usually tiring especially if you are not too deep into history and culture. This lil' museum in the heart of Mumbai can be enjoyed in 2 hours even with kids. It is very well curated, amazing ceiling and the upkeep of the place is worth mentioning. Also has a museum cafe to for a snack. If you have the energy recommend a walk in the zoo next door not so much for the animals but for a breath of fresh air amidst an amazing collection of trees - few know that the zoo was intended to be a botanical garden
Written 4 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Mehendale
Happy that you enjoyed your visit to the BDLMuseum. Request that you share with more friends. Thankyou
Written 13 April 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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