Jijamata Udyaan
Encyclopedia
Jijamata Udyaan 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.
s". 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.
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.
Zoo
A zoological garden, zoological park, menagerie, or zoo is a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and in which they may also be bred....
and garden located at Byculla, in the heart of Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It was laid out in 1861.It is one of the oldest zoos in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.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
Bhau Daji Lad Museum
The Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum is the oldest museum in Mumbai. It was originally established in 1855 as a treasure house of the decorative and industrial arts.-History:...
(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
Elephanta Caves
The Elephanta Caves are a network of sculpted caves located on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri in Mumbai Harbour, to the east of the city of Mumbai in the Indian state of Maharashtra...
on Gharapuri
Elephanta Island
Elephanta Island is one of a number of islands in Mumbai Harbour, east of Mumbai, India...
to Britain in 1864, and later returned to these gardens.
History
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
The gardens are spread over 48 acres (19.4 ha) in Byculla, on the central side of Mumbai, surrounded by low income housing colonies or "chawlChawl
A chawl is a name for a type of building found in India. They are often 4 to 5 stories with about 10 to 20 tenements, referred to as kholis, which literally mean 'rooms' on each floor...
s". At the main entrance to the gardens is a clock tower, reminiscent of Italian Renaissance
Italian Renaissance
The Italian Renaissance began the opening phase of the Renaissance, a period of great cultural change and achievement in Europe that spanned the period from the end of the 13th century to about 1600, marking the transition between Medieval and Early Modern Europe...
, 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.
The zoo
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.