Bombai High Court

Today, the whole of Maharashtra and Goa is under the jurisdiction of the Bombay High Court. It also dealt with issues in India's two Union Territories - Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Bombay High Court was established in 1862 under the Supreme Court Act 1861. The Queen authorized the construction of three Supreme Courts and that was one of them. It had 7 judges when it started operating. Sir Mathew Richard Sausse as Chief Justice. In those days, the British government set up the court in a building on Apollo Street. Work on the current building began in 1871, under the direction of a British engineer. Construction was completed in 1878. The first meeting in the new building was held in 1879.

Bombay High Court is also famous for its architecture. The building is made of slate and British engineer Colonel James A. Fuller designed it. The building is 171 m long and 57 m wide. It was built in the eye-catching Gothic Revival style, popular in those days. Bombay High Court also has two life-sized statues atop the building to the west of the central tower. One of them is the Goddess of Justice and the other is the Goddess of Mercy.

At Bombay High Court, visitors are free to roam around and explore the building and its architecture. Visitors will get a glimpse of the Victorian architecture surrounding the court.

Visitors can visit the Bombay High Court Museum. Rajan Jayakar, a famous lawyer, set it up and it's been open since 2015. A lot of information can be found about the early justice system, Indo-British legal history and legendary people from British era. The certificates of Mahatma Gandhi and Vallabhbhai Patel are also there, along with portraits of famous people and other historical documents.

You'll also find British furniture, feather pens and a vintage typewriter in this museum, as well as a model of the courthouse. Visitors can also attend one of the trial courts going on. But make sure to dress appropriately, respect the court and turn off cell phones.

Opening hours: 11:00 - 17:00 (Monday - Friday)

Admission: free