Statue of Jijamata and Shivaji at Jijamata Udyaan |
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| Date opened | 1861[1] |
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| Location | Mumbai, India |
| Land area | 48 acres (19 ha)[1] |
| Memberships | CZA[2] |
Jijamata Udyaan (Marathi: जिजामाता उद्यान) formerly Victoria Gardens, and also known as Veermata Jijabai Bhonsle Udyan, is a zoo and garden located at Byculla, in the heart of Mumbai, India. It was laid out in 1861.It is one of the oldest zoos in India.One can find a variety of species of birds and other creatures in this garden. this was typically called as 'Rani Bagh' in ancient times.
Also, situated in the Gardens is the Bhau Daji Lad Museum (formerly Victoria and Albert Museum), mainly of industrial and agricultural interest. On the grounds to the east of the museum is the giant statue of an elephant, taken from the Elephanta Caves on Gharapuri to Britain in 1864, and later returned to these gardens.[3]
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The gardens were originally the property of the wealthy Jewish businessman David Sassoon. He built the Victoria and Albert Museum, which was designed by famous Lundons architect. Its structure from inside is the same as the Magen David synagogue of Byculla. David Sassoon donated this whole property to the municipal corporation of Bombay and it is today's zoo and garden. Sassoon also built the Victoria tower, with its clock, that is still in the gardens but is no longer functional.
The gardens are spread over 48 acres (19 ha) in Byculla, on the central side of Mumbai, surrounded by low income housing colonies or "chawls". At the main entrance to the gardens is a clock tower, reminiscent of Italian Renaissance, but the clock has stopped ticking a long time ago. The gardens boast of scores of trees, some of which are really old.
The Statue of the King of King Edward VII was made as a gift by David Sassoon. It is made of black stone, and was kept in the Fort. Due to its Popularity the area where it was kept was called Kala Ghoda. The statue was moved to Jijamata Udyaan after the independent government of India decided not to keep any of the British ruler statues in public.Amazing thing about the garden is that it has Ornamental Gateway and an arched architectural screens.It is enriched with a building in Greco-Roman style.
Jijamata Udyaan also houses the Mumbai Zoo. It houses many rare and endangered species of animals and birds.
The Zoo has seen a lot of controversy surrounding its ill-treated animals. Until very recently, the elephants lived in a small enclosure with their legs chained to restrain them. A very recent order from the central zoo authority, directing the transfer of these elephants to a wild life sanctuary or a tiger reserve, has ensured that these animals will find more breathing space. The other animals still have terrible cages barely larger than themselves. Teasing monkeys and other animals is common in the zoo. Eleven antelopes died recently in their enclosure at the zoo. While zoo authorities claim that stray dogs broke in, spooked the antelope, and caused the deaths due to stress, many others believe that the ongoing construction caused the deer stress which eventually killed them.
The Garden also has a Museum called Albert Museum or 'Bhau Daji Lad Museum' which contains a large collection of archaeological artifacts. It is also known as Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalay.[4] One example is a large stone elephant which is now kept at entrance of the garden. It was found in 1864 on 'Gharapuri Island'. The museum houses a collection of Indian art and culture that has been praised as one of the most valuable collections of Indian architecture. It was named after the Prince Consort and Queen Empress of India. [5]
Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Category:Jijamata_Udyan Jijamata Udyaan] at Wikimedia Commons
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