Bhau Daji Laad Museum and Raani Baug

I Have been thinking of visiting  Bhau Daji Laad museum (earlier Victoria & Albert Museum) within the Byculla Zoo known as Raani Baug.   Built in 1871 is a near Replica of its namesake in London. This is the oldest museum of Mumbai.

It has large number of maps, archaeological specimens, copper and brassware, silver ware, miniature paintings,   and a large section of clay models.

Though it is under the banner of Mumbai Municipal Corpn, it is surprisingly very neatly maintained, well lit and with good display arrangement. It is also well staffed. The interiors of this Museum itself is worth having a look at (i.e. door, columns, windows  and carved arches)

Photo Credit : localyte.com
 I was wondering as to how MMC could do such a good job. The reason was:  It is supported by Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation and the restoration is done by INTACH. No wonder!!  Since photography is not allowed inside, I could not take the camera with me.  But there are some excellent images on this site:

http://www.google.co.in/images?rlz=1C1RNPN_enIN398&q=bhau+daji+lad+museum&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&sa=X&ei=HQtqTamiAsHtrAfjrfjCCw&ved=0CE4QsAQ&biw=1280&bih=605
( Although I found some foreign tourists  quietly and cautiously taking pictures with cell phone.)

Since this Museum is in the precinct of Rani Baug, (Earlier: Victoria Gardens and Now Jijamata Udyan),  I took a walk through the Gardens  or Rani Baug.

It was approximately  50 years ago that I had visited this place while on a summer vacation to Bombay ( as the city  was known then)  We were a group of few children, maybe cousins from Dadar. I don’t remember which Uncle or Aunt was behind this expedition. But the visuals of those days are still quite clear. 

Giraffes, Zebras, Lion and Leopards,  Grizzly Bear,  foxes,  variety of snakes  and plenty of Birds etc  were all  in the garden  and well kept.

Today Raani Baug is in a sorry state. Many of the fine statues are just lying around and not restored.

  an impressive stone canopy is in shambles

and statues within, not cared for

Many of the cages have no animals. 

General impression is of carelessness.

This Black-Buck is at least safe here from our film stars.................

This appears to be the same Rhino I saw 50 years ago, now without the horn

But this 'moving" toilet can move your guts inside out!

Why was this tree slashed?

and why a beautiful water fountain not maintained?

Prince must be turning in his grave..

But everything is not lost. There are some  lovely spots where one can relax. Some interesting bird species too

This one is a thief. It knows how to sneak in and out of the peacock's cage.

Some interesting canon and structure made out of wooden strips.

All the same, avoid the Zoo...visit the Museum!