| Jijabai Udyan & Zoo | |
|---|---|
| Victoria Gardens Byculla Zoo | |
 Statue of Jijamata andShivaji | |
 Interactive map of Jijabai Udyan & Zoo | |
| Type | Botanical Garden & Zoo |
| Location | Mumbai (Maharashtra) |
| Coordinates | 18°58′41″N72°50′12″E / 18.9781154°N 72.8367457°E /18.9781154; 72.8367457 |
| Area | 50 acres (20 ha) |
| Owned by | Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai |
| Status | Open |
| Public transit access |  Byculla |
Jijamata Udyaan, also known asVictoria Gardens and theByculla Zoo, is a zoo and garden covering 50 acres located atByculla, in the heart ofMumbai,India. It is the oldest public garden in Mumbai.[1] After Indian independence, it was officially renamed afterJijamata, the mother ofShivaji, the firstMaratha emperor; the original name remains popular.[2][3]
In 1835, the British administration granted a large plot of land inSewri to the Agro Horticultural Society of Western India for a botanical garden known as Victoria Gardens, afterQueen-Empress Victoria. That land was later acquired for a European burial ground.[4] In 1861, construction of a new garden was commenced on 33 acres in the Mount Estate, Mazgaon (now included in Byculla). The flora from Sewri garden was transferred to this new garden named Jijamata Udyaan, which was formally opened to the public byLady Frere on 19 November 1862. Agro Horticultural Society of Western India continued to maintain Victoria Gardens until 1873 when the society's end led to the municipal corporation taking over the garden's upkeep. In 1890 the garden was extended by 15 acres especially for the zoo.[1]
The garden is the only green space in Mumbai that featuresPalladian style architecture.[5] It houses theDr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, a staff building in Greco-Roman style erected in the memory of Lady Frere, an equestrian statue ofKing Edward VII made of black marble (originally installed near theUniversity of Mumbai) and theDavid Sassoon clock tower.[4]
| Pre-colonial | |
|---|---|
| Colonial | |
| Beaches | |
| Places of worship | |
| Cultural | |
| Boulevards | |
| Districts | |
| Shopping | |
| Buildings | |
| Parks, zoos and stadia | |
| Museums | |
| Forts | |
| Restaurants & bars | |
