Rajabai Clock Tower

• The Rajabai Clock Tower is a clock tower in South Mumbai, India. 
• It is located in the confines of the Fort campus of the University of Mumbai. 
• The tower stands at a height of 85 m (280 ft).

History :

The Rajabai Clock Tower was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, an English architect.
He modeled it on Big Ben, the clock tower of the UK houses of Parliament in London.

Construction : 

The foundation stone was laid on March 1, 1869 and construction was completed in November 1878.

Rajabai Under Construction Picture

• The total cost of construction came to INR2 lakhs, a princely sum in those days. 
• This entire cost was defrayed by Premchand Roychand, a prosperous broker who founded the Bombay Stock Exchange on the condition that the tower be named after his mother Rajabai.
• Premchand Roychand's mother was blind and as a staunch follower of Jain religion she was supposed to consume her dinner before evening. The evening bell of the tower helped her to know the time without anyone's help.

The tower was closed to the public after it became a frequent spot for those attempting to commit suicide.

Structure :

• The tower was built in a fusion of Venetian and Gothic styles. 
• It is built out of the locally available buff coloured Kurla stone. The tower has one of the best stained glass windows in the city.
  During its time, it was the tallest structure in the city of Mumbai.