Battiwala Chowkidar

The Museum’s collection of clay models and dioramas document the people, lifestyles, occupations and cultures of Mumbai from the late 19th to the early 20th century. Prior to mass usage of electrical lamps, the streets of Mumbai would be illuminated by gas lamps, which were stationed at regular intervals. Battiwala chowkidars were assigned the task of lighting these gas lamps by means of climbing a ladder attached to each of these gas lamps, holding a small lantern in one hand.

Therefore, this model of the battiwala chowkidar is particularly significant in its documentation of an occupation and way of life that no longer exists.