Framji Dadabhoy Alpaiwalla Museum
| Place | Mumbai |
|---|---|
| State | Maharashtra |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 1954 |
| Museum Type | Ethnographic / Community Museum |
| National Importance Museum | No |
| Address | N S Patkar Marg, behind RS Vatcha HP Petrol Station, Babulnath, Khareghat Colony, Malabar Hill, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400007 |
| Visiting Time | 10:30 AM – 05:30 PM (Monday to Saturday) Closed on Sundays and Parsi/Public Holidays. |
| Entry Fee | Free Entry |
Museum Introduction
Established in 1954, the Framji Dadabhoy Alpaiwalla Museum is Mumbai's only museum dedicated to Parsi Zoroastrian culture. Located in the historic Khareghat Colony on Malabar Hill, it was founded to house the extensive personal collection of Framji Dadabhoy Alpaiwalla, a passionate collector and self-taught archaeologist. It serves as a vital repository for the material heritage of the Parsi community in India.
General Collections
The museum showcases a diverse range of artifacts tracing Parsi history from ancient Persia to their settlement in India. The collection includes traditional textiles, porcelain, glassware, and Victorian-style furniture. It focuses heavily on the "Parsi Way of Life," featuring household items, religious implements, and ceremonial attire reflecting the community's unique cultural synthesis.
Unique Historical Collections
Ancient Persian Artifacts: Pottery, coins, and seals from the Achaemenian and Sassanian periods of Iran. Tanchoi and Gara Textiles: Exquisite examples of traditional Parsi embroidery and silk weaving. Miniature Models: Detailed scale models of a Tower of Silence (Dakhma) and a Fire Temple (Agiary). Alpaiwalla’s Journals: Original records documenting his archaeological findings.
Additional Information
| Archaeological Survey of India | No |
|---|---|
| Notes | The museum underwent a major restoration in 2013 led by conservationist Pheroza Godrej and architect Vikas Dilawari. It is situated within a quiet residential colony and is considered a "hidden gem" for researchers of the Zoroastrian diaspora. |
| Artifacts | Embroidered Kusti and Sudreh; Chinese porcelain with Parsi motifs; Silver Afargans (fire urns); Decorative glass Handis; Rare lithographs of early Parsi settlers; Commemorative medals and portraits; Rosewood furniture. |
| Highly Descriptive | Yes |
| Contact Details | +91 22 2361 6586 |
| Email ID | bppceooffice@gmail.com |