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Mumbai’s Rajabai Clock Tower is a British-era architecture by Premchand Roychand Jain for his mother in 1878 (File picture)
Mumbai’s Rajabai Clock Tower was constructed in honour of a wealthy broker Premchand Roychand Jain’s mother, Rajabai. It was once Mumbai’s tallest structure.
A striking landmark reminiscent of London’s Big Ben, Mumbai’s Rajabai Clock Tower holds a compelling backstory rooted in both philanthropy and family devotion. Completed in 1878, this British-era architectural marvel was built at a considerable cost of Rs 5,50,000—a substantial sum at the time.
The tower’s creation was largely financed by the affluent broker Premchand Roychand Jain, who stipulated that it be named in honour of his blind mother, Rajabai. Jain’s mother adhered to Jainism’s rule of eating before dusk, and due to her blindness, she relied on the tower’s chimes to time her meals accurately.
The bell’s sound allowed her to adhere to her eating schedule without assistance, fulfilling a personal and spiritual need. Designed by the renowned English architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, the Rajabai Clock Tower stands 280 feet tall and was once Mumbai’s tallest structure.
In 2018, it was honored with a place on the list of World Heritage Sites. Though it now plays a single chime every 15 minutes, it once serenaded the city with more elaborate melodies.
Today, the Rajabai Clock Tower remains a cherished symbol of Mumbai’s rich history and architectural heritage, attracting visitors keen to experience its historic charm and learn about its unique origins.