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The Rajabai Clock Tower in Mumbai is a British-era building built in 1878 in memory of Premchand Roychand Jain's mother (file photo)
The Rajabai Clock Tower in Mumbai was built in memory of Rajabai, the mother of wealthy broker Premchand Roychand Jain. It was once the tallest building in Mumbai.
A striking landmark reminiscent of London's Big Ben, the Rajabhai Clock Tower in Mumbai has a fascinating backstory rooted in philanthropy and family devotion. This architectural marvel of the British era was completed in 1878 at a cost of Rs 5.50 lakh, which was a huge sum of money at the time.
The construction of the tower was largely financed by wealthy broker Premchand Roychand Jain, who stipulated that the tower be named after his blind mother, Rajabai. The Jain mother followed the Jain rule of eating before dusk, and since she was blind, she had to rely on the tower bell to accurately time her meals.
The ringer enables her to stick to her meal plan and meet her personal and spiritual needs without help. Designed by the famous British architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, the Rajabai Clock Tower was 280 feet high and was once the tallest building in Mumbai.
In 2018, it was included in the World Heritage List. Although it now plays its chimes every 15 minutes, it once serenaded the city with more delicate melodies.
Today, the Rajabhai Clock Tower remains a cherished symbol of Mumbai's rich historical and architectural heritage, attracting tourists keen to experience its historical charm and understand its unique origins.
