Mumbai Celebrates 100th Anniversary Of Iconic Pherozeshah Mehta Statue

Mumbai, 3rd April 2023: Today, the Sir Pherozeshah Merwanjee Mehta statue, located in front of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters, completed 100 years. This statue is a defining feature of Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus area. It was unveiled on April 3rd, 1923 after the community contributed eighty thousand rupees.

The full-length statue of Mehta, who earned the title of ‘Lion of Mumbai’ for his crucial role in the creation of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, was erected in front of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters 100 years ago. On this occasion, Additional Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide paid respects on behalf of the Municipal Corporation, and municipal officials were present at the event.

Mehta was born in Mumbai on August 4, 1845. He was a brilliant intellect who played a significant role in creating the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act and laying its foundation. He advocated for civil administration to represent taxpayers, and his ideas were incorporated into the Municipal Corporations Act of 1872. Mehta was a member of the council that drafted the Act and always spoke in favor of citizens and taxpayers in its discussions.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Act is considered a model, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is a milestone among local self-government bodies in India. Mehta served as Chairman for two consecutive years in 1884-85 and 1885-86 and as President for two years in 1905-06 and again in 1911-12, making him the first citizen of Mumbai for a total of four years. These contributions earned him the title of ‘Father of Civil Administration in Mumbai.’

Mehta passed away on November 5th, 1915. A full-length statue was subsequently erected in his memory in front of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters, which was ceremonially unveiled on April 3, 1923. The statue has been a defining feature of Mumbai for 100 years since then.