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David Sassoon Library

1870 establishments in IndiaLibraries established in 1870Libraries in MumbaiLibrary buildings completed in 1870The Victorian and Art Deco Ensemble of Mumbai
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David Sassoon Library
David Sassoon Library

The David Sassoon Library and Reading Room is a famous library and heritage structure in Mumbai, India. The idea for a library to be situated in the center of the city came from Albert Sassoon, son of the famous Baghdadi Jewish philanthropist, David Sassoon. The building was designed by architects J. Campbell and G. E. Gosling, for the Scott McClelland and Company, at a cost of Rs. 125,000. David Sassoon donated Rs. 60,000, while the rest of the cost was borne by the Government of Bombay Presidency. The library is located on Rampart Row, looking across the Kala Ghoda. The building, completed in 1870, is built using yellow Malad stone, much like the abutting Elphinstone College, Army and Navy Buildings and Watson's Hotel. Above the entrance portico is a white stone bust of David Sassoon. This marble bust was Thomas Woolner's working model for the statue of Sassoon standing at the front of the stairs of the David Sassoon Library. This standing marble statue, completed in 1865, was commissioned by Sir Bartle Frere, Governor of Bombay and personal friend of the sculptor, Woolner. Subscriptions came from the Jewish community, a myriad of traders, and friends in England.The building also houses the Lund and Blockley opticians.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article David Sassoon Library (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors, Images).

David Sassoon Library
Esplanade Avenue, Mumbai Zone 1 (Mumbai)

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Latitude Longitude
N 18.927976 ° E 72.831105 °
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Westside

Esplanade Avenue
400023 Mumbai, Zone 1 (Mumbai)
Maharashtra, India
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David Sassoon Library
David Sassoon Library
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Great Western Building
Great Western Building

The Great Western Building is a building at Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra. This large and palatial-looking building has served many uses. It was once the residence of the Governor of Bombay. William Hornby, a former governor who was instrumental in initiating the Hornby Vellard project which bunded the breach at Mahalaxmi, lived here for a few years of his term in office. It also served as the Admiralty House, residence of the Commander-in-chief of the Indian Fleet from 1770–1795.Lachlan Macquarie, who was later the Governor of New South Wales (1810-1821), lived at Admiralty House. He records in his journal for 23 April 1794 that – Mr. Tasker having been so obliging to give us a friendly invitation to live in his town house (Admiralty House), during the hot weather and while he should remain in the country, (where he lives at present) we accepted of his offer. Around 1800, it was purchased by the Government and transformed into The Recorders Court until 1878. The original porch was removed when the street was widened. The property was purchased by Rustomjee Jeejeebhoy and then sold to the Sassoon family. In 1883, it was sold again and converted into a hotel known as the Great Western Hotel. A new five-storied wing was added in the early 1890s. It was designed by renowned architect S. M. N. Chandabhoy who also designed another smaller three-storied building in the later 1890s. In time, the hotel closed and the rooms have been divided and further subdivided for optimum rental.