THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF MUMBAI
The Mumbai Research Centre
Guided tour of the F.D. Alpaiwala Museum
on Saturday 3rd May, Tuesday 6th May and Wednesday 7th May 2025
The Mumbai Research Centre of The Asiatic Society of Mumbai invites you to a Guided tour of the F.D. Alpaiwala Museum.
Batch 1: Saturday, 3rd May 2025, 3:00 PM
Batch 2: Tuesday, 6th May 2025, 11:00 AM
Batch 3: Wednesday, 7th May 2025, 3:00 PM
Limited to 15 participants per batch
Registration is mandatory
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/gJa5DyiwZJfxi6FT6
Free event; however, any applicable entry charges must be borne by the participant
About the F.D. Alpaiwala Museum
Established in 1954 by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, the Framji Dadabhoy Alpaiwala Museum is housed in the Khareghat Memorial Building, Mumbai. This archaeological and ethnographic museum showcases the rich heritage of the Parsis of India and Iranian Zoroastrians, preserving rare artifacts and historical treasures.
Among its notable collections are antiquities and artifacts from F.D. Alpaiwala, along with archaeological finds from Susa, Iran, donated by Ervad (Dr.) Jamshed Unvala, a distinguished scholar-priest. Located in Khareghat Colony, this small yet significant museum remains the only institution dedicated exclusively to documenting Parsi history, culture, and religion.
- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande , Hon. Secretary Asiatic Society of Mumbai.
- Dr. Shehernaz Nalwalla, Vice President of the Society & Chairperson – MRC
THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF MUMBAI
The Mumbai Research Centre
Guided tour of the BEST Transport Museum
Saturday, 3rd May 2025, at 2.00 p.m.
The Mumbai Research Centre of The Asiatic Society of Mumbai invites you to a guided tour of the BEST Transport Museum.
The BEST Transport Museum is a remarkable archive of Mumbai’s rich public transport history. It showcases the evolution of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) company through its collection of miniature buses and trams, vintage bus tickets, and rare photographs documenting the city's early transportation milestones.
A key highlight is the classic Daimler double-decker bus chassis, displayed prominently at the museum’s center. Visitors can also explore exhibits featuring bus staff mannequins and antique city gas lamps, offering a nostalgic glimpse into Mumbai’s transport heritage during its modernization era.
Saturday, 3rd May 2025 at 02:00 PM
25 participants only
Registration is Mandatory
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/8VrsmkLLqLuBtKZ39
Free event; however, any applicable entry charges must be borne by the participant
Location: Third Floor, Anik, Municipal Kamgar Vasahat, Sion East, Sion, Mumbai 400022
We look forward to your participation in this insightful journey through Mumbai’s transport legacy!
- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande ,Hon. Secretary Asiatic Society of Mumbai.
- Dr. Shehernaz Nalwalla, Vice President of the Society & Chairperson – MRC
THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF MUMBAI
The Mumbai Research Centre
A talk by Dr Uday S Kulkarni on
‘Chimaji Appa: The Story of Vasai and Salsette’
on Friday, 25th April 2025, at 5.00 p.m. in the Durbar Hall
The Mumbai Research Centre of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai invites you to a talk on ‘Chimaji Appa: The Story of Vasai and Salsette’ by Dr Uday S Kulkarni. The session will be moderated by Dr. Gaurav Gadgil.
The long occupation of present-day suburban Mumbai ~ Salsette and Vasai ~ by the Portuguese power was a source of harrassment for the local population. Several appeals for help were sent to the Maratha Chhatrapati and Peshwa. In the years 1737 and 1739, a grim battle was waged at the end of which these regions were liberated. Chimaji Appa, Bajirao Peshwa’s brother, led the campaign and after a bloody and stubborn campaign won these regions. It was also the first time a European power had been defeated by a native Asian army.
About Speaker:
Uday S. Kulkarni has written eight historical nonfiction books on 18th Century India. An alumnus of the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune and a surgeon by profession, Kulkarni served in the Indian Navy, retiring in the rank of Surgeon Commander.
About Moderator:
Dr. Gaurav Gadgil works as an Associate Professor in the School of Civilisation at Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai. He is a research-oriented academician with 15 years of experience, and a wide array of interests which spans from Political & Cultural History to Literary History to International Relations.
Date: 25th April 2025 (Friday)
Time: 5 PM
Join us for tea at 4:30 PM
Venue: Durbar Hall, The Asiatic Society of Mumbai
- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande, Hon. Secretary Asiatic Society of Mumbai
- Dr. Shehernaz Nalwalla, Vice President of the Society & Chairperson – MRC
THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF MUMBAI
The Mumbai Research Centre
Screening and Panel Discussion on ‘The Modern in Print’,
a film by Mala Sinha and Suchitra Balasubrahmanyan
on Monday, 5th May, 2025 at 5.00 p.m.
‘The Modern in Print’, a film by Mala Sinha and Suchitra Balasubrahmanyan is a rare commentary on both the art form of textile printing and the transformation of the city of Mumbai. This film provides a rich exploration of the shifting dynamics between tradition and modernity, set against the backdrop of the city of Mumbai. and opens up crucial conversations around the evolving modes of economy, migration, and cultural exchanges that have shaped the city of Mumbai.
Through the personal stories of craftspeople, “The Modern in Print” sensitively portrays the urban transformation of Mumbai.
The film screening will be followed by a Panel Discussion that will be moderated by Tinaz Nooshian. The panellists are:
Dinaz Kalwachwala - Documentary Filmmaker
Amit Bhavsar - Executive Producer, Music Director and Co-director
Mala Pradeep Sinha -Textile designer and Co-founder of Bodhi
Suchitra Balasubrahmanyan - Design Historian, Independent scholar and visiting professor.
Savitha Suri - Textile Researcher & Curator
Date: 5th May 2025 (Monday)
Time: 5 PM (Screening & Panel Discussion)
Join us for tea at 4:30 PM
Venue: Durbar Hall, The Asiatic Society of Mumbai
- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande, Hon. Secretary Asiatic Society of Mumbai
- Dr. Shehernaz Nalwalla, Vice President of the Society & Chairperson – MRC
THE ASIATIC SOCIETY OF MUMBAI
The Mumbai Research Centre
launch of the four-volumes of ‘The Heritage Handbook’
published by The People’s Project
in collaboration with The MMR Heritage Conservation Society
The Mumbai Research Centre of The Asiatic Society of Mumbai is pleased to invite you to the launch of the four-volumes of ‘The Heritage Handbook’, published by The People’s Project in collaboration with The MMR Heritage Conservation Society.
Serving as companion guidebooks to the MMRHCS heritage maps, The Heritage Handbooks offer invaluable insights into the diverse heritage of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Moving beyond colonial landmarks, these handbooks bring to light lesser-known and often overlooked stories from across the region.
The event will feature the official launch, followed by author presentations and group discussions.
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, 22nd April 2025
Time: 4:30 PM – Tea
5:00 PM – Book Launch, Presentations, and Group Discussions
Venue: Durbar Hall, The Asiatic Society of Mumbai,
Town Hall, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Fort, Mumbai 400 001
- Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande, Hon. Secretary Asiatic Society of Mumbai
- Dr. Shehernaz Nalwalla, Vice President of the Society & Chairperson – MRC
Dear Sir/ Madam,
The Asiatic Society of Mumbai and The Marg Foundation invite you to a talk on Marg’s recently published volume “The Third Side of the Coin” edited by Joe Cribb, (Former Keeper, Coins and Medals, British Museum) with Dr. Shailendra Bhandare (Senior Assistant Keeper, South Asian and Far-Eastern Numismatics, Ashmolean Museum) and Dr. Sanjay Garg (Former Deputy Director, National Archives of India) on Wednesday, 23rd April, 2025, at 6.00 p.m.
Date: Wednesday, 23rd April 2025
Time: 6.00 p.m. (5.30 p.m. Tea)
Venue: Durbar Hall, The Asiatic Society of Mumbai
Please register to attend the event
or
RSVP on WhatsApp No. 7715893596
(with name and email id)
Regards,
Prof. Mangala Sirdeshpande
Hon. Secretary, Asiatic Society of Mumbai
