Outlook Traveler

When you visit Mumbai, be sure to check out a unique museum: the FD Alpaiwalla Museum. This is the only museum in the world dedicated exclusively to the Parsis and Iranian Zoroastrians. Located in the Khareghat Colony of Babulnath, Mumbai, this special institution serves as an important cultural repository. It houses an extensive collection of archaeological and ethnographic artifacts that showcase the rich heritage of the Parsi community.

After a thorough restoration project aimed at enhancing its exhibits and overall visitor experience, the museum reopened in March 2025. Established by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) in 1954, the archaeological and ethnographic museum received funding from the Union Ministry of Culture for its upgrade. The recent renovation has replaced outdated glass display cases from the 1970s with modern layouts and spotlights. The artefacts now feature exhibit labels, including Braille for accessibility.

The museum is named after Framji Dadabhoy Alpaiwalla, a distinguished collector and bullion trader known for his diverse collection of art and artifacts. His impressive assortment includes portraits, porcelain, and glassware, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of various periods. As his collection grew beyond the limits of his home, he generously donated it to the Bombay Parsi Punchayet, the main administrative body for India’s Parsi Irani Zoroastrian community. To honour his legacy, the museum’s foundation stone was laid in 1951, and it officially opened in 1952, shortly after his passing. Today, it houses rare items, including those from Persia.

Inside F.D. Alpaiwalla Museum

This Parsi museum in Mumbai features two large and distinct collections: the antiquities and artifacts from the FD Alpaiwala collection, and the rare archaeological finds from Susa, Iran, donated by the scholar-priest Ervad (Dr.) Jamshed Unvala. The collection includes archaeological finds from Susa and Yazd in Iran, as well as religious manuscripts and ritual implements. It features Zoroastrian manuscripts of the Yasna, along with manuscripts of the Vendidad. Among the items of interest are old photographs and postcards that document the early development of Bombay (Mumbai), and a 'firman' from Emperor Jehangir, issued in 1618 CE, which grants a jagir (a type of land grant) of 100 bighas (with four bighas equaling one acre) to two Parsis from Navsari.

Visitors can explore the trade practices of the time through the display of Chinaware, which illustrates the trading connections that Parsi merchants had with China. These merchants owned ships and traded various commodities, including cotton and opium. One of the exhibits also highlights the lifestyle of a Parsi merchant.

You can also see the calling card of Dadabhai Naoroji, who was elected to the British House of Commons from 1892 to 1895. In addition, the museum showcases furniture owned by early Parsis, highlighting the European influences in the lifestyle of Parsi merchants. It also displays several Parsi portraits and textiles, including tanchois and garas. A model fire temple has also been constructed on-site.

Taking Parsi Culture To The World

The collections of the museum have travelled across India and the world. In 2013, objects of antiquity were loaned by the FD Alpaiwalla Museum for exhibitions both abroad and in India as part of a cultural exchange and diversity programme. Some items from the FD Alpaiwalla collection were displayed at the Brunei Gallery in London for the SOAS exhibition titled "The Everlasting Flame – Zoroastrianism in History and Imagination." In 2016, additional objects from the museum were loaned to the Everlasting Flame International Program and featured in three international exhibitions held in Delhi: "The Everlasting Flame – Zoroastrianism in History and Imagination," "Painted Encounters: Parsi Traders and the Community," and "Threads of Continuity."

Events At The Museum

Though the museum is located on the ground floor, the first floor of the building is designated for activities and events related to the museum. For instance, a workshop focusing on the legacy of Parsi women is being held in collaboration with the British Institute of Persian Studies, the Shapoorji Pallonji Institute of Zoroastrian Studies at SOAS in the UK, and the BPP.

The organisers also plan to host public lectures, establish a reference library, create exhibition spaces, provide audio-visual areas, and open a cafeteria. Additionally, they aim to collaborate with Mani Bhavan to include the museum in its visitor itinerary.

Information

Address: The Framji Dadabhoy Alpaiwalla Museum is located at NS Patkar Marg, behind R.S. Vatcha HP Petrol Station, Babulnath, Khareghat Colony, Malabar Hill, Mumbai.

Timings: The museum is open on weekdays from 10 am to 5:30 pm, and closed on Mondays.