Information on Mumbai Secretariat (Mumbai, Maharashtra) - History & Architecture

The Secretariat building is one of the old architectural structures present in the prosperous city of Mumbai (then Bombay). This huge monument is situated at the heart of the city. This building has all the important offices of cabinet ministers including the Chief Minister's office. So, the security arrangement of this monument is very stringent with close circuit cameras, which is fitted in every part of the building. In our country, ministers are better called as "mantri", so the building that houses them is termed as the "Mantralaya" or the Secretariat building.

Mumbai Secretariat Architecture

The architecture of the Secretariat building of Mumbai is worth mentioning. It is not just an attractive piece of art but a respected heritage site for India. The exterior part of the building is beautifully decorated by large trees and flower bushes in full bloom. The Venetian and Gothic style of architecture were used for the establishment of this massive monument. The stones brought for the construction are buff in colour. These stones are especially transported from Porbander of Gujarat for the establishment of this monument. The entrance of the building and its covered passages are made out of this eye-catching stones. Other materials needed for the construction of the building are the blue and red coloured basalt rocks. These rocks are mainly utilized for the preparation of the statues built inside the monument. Other that that, the staircases and an enormous tower erected just above the staircases are also structured and designed with these rocks. At present due to the increment in the number of ministers and their deputies another building related to the "Mantralaya" has been set up just in front of the old Secretariat building.

Mumbai Secretariat History

The Secretariat building or the "Mantralaya" was established in the year 1874 under the British era in India. Captain Henry St. Clair Wilkins was the chief architect behind the construction of this massive monument. He along with Sir Henry Bartle and Edward Frere planned and designed the architecture of this monument. Except the history of establishment of this building, the rest is not at all good. The building which is at the centre of the city has been caught by massive fire in recent times year after year i.e., in 2012 and 2013 respectively. In both the cases short circuit is the main reason. Though the 2013 fire, which was caught in the 4th floor did not cause any major casualties for people except some important files and documents. However, the 2012 fire was a life-taking one. Several staffs including some of the ministers were trapped inside the building for a long time. Sadly, 5 citizens had to lose their lives due to severe burns and 20 people were severely injured for which they were admitted to the intensive care unit. The 2012 fire had also affected the Secretariat building financially. Hundreds and thousands of files and documents relating to some of the important issues of the country were also destroyed in this blaze.

Mumbai Secretariat Tourism Importance

Though the repeated fire accidents disturbed and gutted some of the architectural aspects of the building. However, the building was reconstructed at a quick time. Still the building holds its dignity and maintains itself as one of the cultural heritage sites of India.