Crawford Market

Crawford Market

Crawford Market (Marathi: क्रॉफर्ड मार्केट) (officially Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Mandai, Marathi: महात्मा ज्योतिबा फुले मंडई) is one of South Mumbai's most famous markets. It is named after Arthur Crawford, the first Municipal Commissioner of the city. The Market was later named after Mahatma Jotirao Phule after a long struggle by the President of Mahatma Phule Smarak Samiti, Mukundraoji Bhujbal Patil. The market is situated opposite the Mumbai Police headquarters, just north of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station and west of the J.J. flyover at a busy intersection. The market houses a wholesale fruit, vegetable and poultry market. One end of the market is a pet store. Different varieties of dogs, cats, and birds can be found in this area.^[1] Also, endangered species are illegally sold there.^[2] Most of the sellers inside the market sell imported items such as foods, cosmetics, household and gift items. It was the main wholesale market for fruits in Mumbai until March 1996, when the wholesale traders were relocated to Navi Mumbai (New Bombay).

The building, completed in 1869, was donated to the city by Cowasji Jehangir. After India's independence, the market was renamed after Maharashtrian social reformer, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule. In 1882, the building was the first in India to be lit up by electricity.

Architecture

The market was designed by British architect William Emerson. The edifice is a blend of Norman and Flemish architectural styles. The friezes on the outside entrance depicting Indian farmers, and the stone fountains inside, were designed by Lockwood Kipling, father of novelist Rudyard Kipling. The market covers an area of 22,471 sq m (24,000 sq ft) which 5,515 sq m (6,000 sq ft) is occupied by the building itself. The structure was built using coarse buff coloured Kurla stone, with redstone from Bassein. It has a 15 m high skylight awning designed to allow the sunlight light up the marketplace.^[3]

References

1. ^ "Animal crackers at Crawford Market". Times of India. 28 March 2003. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Animal-crackers-at-Crawford-Market/articleshow/41658503.cms. Retrieved 18 June 2011. 
2. ^ Vora, Dhara (4 June 2011). "Buy your own Star Tortoise for Rs 600". Mid-Day. http://www.mid-day.com/news/2011/jun/040611-Pet-shops-Crawford-Market-sell-Star-Tortoise-mumbai.htm. Retrieved 18 June 2011. 
3. ^ "Crawford Market". http://www.mumbaimart.com/content/view/54/119. Retrieved 18 June 2011. 

• A 137-Year Legacy; Times News Network, Times of India (Mumbai edition); 2006-03-25; pg-2
• The Crawford Shopping Experience (http://mumbai.metromela.com/The+Crawford+Shopping+Experience/article/3083)