J. N. Petit Library — Attraction in Mumbai

The J.N. Petit Institute, which has been in existence since 1856, is one of the most distinguished libraries in Mumbai and in India. The library has served generations of residents of Mumbai by providing them with reading material for education, information, personal development and recreation. Over the years the library has built up a main collection of over 100,000 books covering all subjects, and including old classic works as well as modern fiction and non-fiction. There are also some special collections of books. The library subscribes to various periodicals and newspapers, all of which are in great demand by the members. The magnificent building in which the library is housed was built using a donation from Bai Dinbai Nesserwanjee Petit, and was inaugurated on 1st May, 1898. An extension, including the reading room, was added in 1939. The building was given the Urban Heritage Award for the year 1990 by the Bombay Heritage Society. The Reading Room of the library, with a seating capacity of 300, is open on all days. Its functionality is complemented by the breathtaking beauty of its stained glass windows, with portraits of members of the...

In 1856, a predecessor library called the Fort Improvement Library was set up in a smaller building at the site by a group of Parsi-Zoroastrian students studying at the Elphinstone College (built by Parsi philanthropist Cowasji Jehangir Readymoney, 1812-78) near by.

In memory of her deceased son, Jamsetjee Nusserwanjee Petit (J. N. Petit), Parsi-Zoroastrian philanthropist Bai Dinbai Nusserwanji Petit, donated funds in 1895 for a larger library building. The new library which currently stands on the site was inaugurated on May 1, 1898.

The library is considered one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Mumbai. Run by a private trust, the building was renovated in 2014-15 winning the Award of Distinction under the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

The library has around 150,000 books including a large collection on Zoroastrianism & old...

World Heritage premise serving the purpose of good atmosphere for those who are appearing for the exams, those of whom are more keen on acquiring or updation of their knowledge. Clean, neat and well desciplined specious reading , studying hall, conference or reference hall and well managed books references, newspapers, magazines etc gives moral boosting impact on the knowledge seekers mind. Highly concentrative or meditative surrounding inside. I liked the comfortable wooden chairs, large spread up of tables. Gives comfort , makes the tension free mind within an hour. Feeling proud to be the member of such very very rare reading library in Mumbai . Its my very Frank and Humble opinion. I like the place very much and thanks to the Petit library management for maintaining it with utmost...