Mumbai boasts of several iconic monuments, from the Gateway of India to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST). But few know that the financial capital of India also houses Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s old residence. Jinnah lived in the building till August 7, 1947.
Jenil Variya, a content vlogger on Instagram, dropped a video about Jinnah House, located in Mumbai’s posh Malabar Hill area. As per the BMC, the building was the location for several important discussions between Jinnah and prominent Indian leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and more.
History Of Jinnah House
Once a premium property, the ‘Jinnah House’, also known as the South Court Mansion, was built by the founding father and first Governor General of Pakistan, Mohammad
Ali Jinnah, in 1936. The bungalow was reportedly built at a then-massive sum of Rs 2 lakh after Jinnah returned from England to take charge of the Muslim League.
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Spanning across 2.5 acres, the bungalow featured Italian marble work and was built under the direction of Claude Batley, a distinguished British architect. Batley was known for his expertise in Art Deco and Indo Deco styles, which are used in the architecture of Jinnah House.
After 1947, Jinnah expressed a desire to return to the city and reside in Jinnah House while on his visit. However, this wish was never fulfilled and the politician passed away in 1948.
Who Owns Jinnah House?
The entire property, vacant for the last seven decades, is owned by the government of India and protected by local authorities. The lavish but unoccupied bungalow has been at the centre of several legal disputes and controversies over the years.
In 2017, BJP MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha demanded that the Jinnah House be demolished and turned into an Indian cultural centre. Pakistan has tried to establish an embassy at the bungalow, but efforts have been rebuffed by the Indian government.
Dina Wadia, Jinnah’s daughter who married an Indian and settled here after the Partition, was involved in a litigation over the ownership of the house. But her plea was rejected by the court. For now, Jinnah House remains empty.
