A town hall unlike any

Sep 29, 2012 - Age Correspondent

Shobhan Singh

It was all the way back in 1804 that the Scottish jurist, historian and politician Sir James Mackintosh founded the Literary Society of Bombay. It was formed with the objective of promoting knowledge, particularly related to India. It acquired the name it is known by today — the Asiatic Society — almost 20 years later.

But it would still be another 10 years before the Asiatic Society would acquire its most iconic symbol: Its Town Hall building. In 1830, it was one of the most beautiful buildings in the South Bombay area, and its graceful façade — set off by a grand flight of 30 stairs that lead to its portico with eight Doric columns — was the perfect backdrop for the elegant Victorian carriages that would ride up to the edifice, disgorge their well-heeled passengers and ride away.
The Town Hall is now a heritage structure, and it has retained the elements that made it beautiful, including a wrought iron Regency era staircase inside the building. It still deserves the praise the Governor of Bombay, Sir John Malcolm, heaped on it at its opening in 1830: “The most magnificent structure as yet erected”.

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