Crawford Market


Crawford Market is one of South Mumbai's most famous markets. The building was completed in 1869, and donated to the city by Cowasji Jehangir. Originally named after Arthur Crawford, the first Municipal Commissioner of the city, the market was later renamed to honour Maharashtrian social reformer Mahatma Jotirao Phule. 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. It was the main wholesale market for fruits in Mumbai until March 1996, when the wholesale traders were relocated to Navi Mumbai.
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, and represented an early effort to blend Victorian Gothic architecture with indigenous elements. The market covers an area of 22,471 sq m, of which 5,515 sq m 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 to brighten up the marketplace.
The original design consisted of three doorways at the entrance, each divided with a column, with space for a carved panel depicting every day life. Two such panels were carved by the artist, John Lockwood Kipling depicting an image of workers working, but he was not able to complete the third before leaving India.

Timing

This market is mostly closed on Tuesdays. So if you are planning to do shopping in and around that area, avoid Tuesday as very few shops would be open. On other days, its open from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Items sold

The market houses numerous items, from wholesale fruits, vegetables and poultry to clothes, dress materials, toys, jewelry, and even a pet store. At the pet area, different varieties of dogs, cats, and birds can be found. There have also been stories of the illegal sale of endangered species.

Reaching there

One can easily reach Crawford market area from CSTM railway station or take a cab from there. You can also take a bus to CSTM station or ride in your car. There is car parking available but very costly and has to be paid on an hourly basis and still difficult to get after first half of the day.