# Charni Road

Charni Road (Marathi pronunciation:) is a neighbourhood in the southern part of Mumbai. It is served by Charni Road railway station.

## Geography and Location

Charni Road is strategically located along the western coastline of Mumbai. It is bordered by Girgaon to the north, Marine Drive to the west, and Kalbadevi to the east. The locality enjoys excellent connectivity due to its central position in South Mumbai. Near the station there is a Muslim cemetery and a municipal crematorium; Chandanwadi. Built in 1951, it is India's oldest aquarium is situated here and is named after Parsi entrepreneur DB Taraporewala, who provided funds for its development.

## History

It is believed that when the British Government raised a grazing tax on people bringing their cattle to graze on the grass at the Azad Maidan, Jamshedjee Jeejeebhoy purchased the grasslands near Thakurdwar out of his funds and opened those grounds to the locals to graze their cattle for free. As the Marathi word for grazing is "charne", the area came to be known as Charni ... and thence, the road beside it, as the Charni Road. According to another source, the word is a corruption of "Chendni", a locality in the Thane-Koliwada area. Many people originally from Chendni migrated to South Mumbai to the area which is known today as Charni Road.
In 1884, Sir Adamji Peerbhoy (1845–1913), a well-known philanthropist from Mumbai, India, built several properties (a Bohra kabrastan (cemetery/burial ground), Masjid, Sanatorium, and Amanbai Charitable Hospital later known as Saifee Hospital on Charni Road opposite the railway station. He wanted to provide a safe haven for the travellers, poor, or needy to rest, use the masjid for prayers, or the hospital if they needed it. After Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy's death, his grandson Akbar, against the wishes of the family, converted the properties into a trust. The family resisted the change, but Akbar had a lot of influence.
He was the son of Abdul Hussein Peerbhoy (who was the second out of seven children of Sir Adamjee Peerbhoy, who had engineered and built the Matheran Hill Railway. The property was out of the hands of the Peerbhoy family and into the hands of the trustees. The trustees were later on changed by the Syedna (leader of the Dawoodi Bohras) and the new trustees handed over the property to the Syedna. The property was built for the benefit of the poor and the needy. The property still exists on Charni Road and is still under the name of Sir Adamji Peerbhoy.

## Notable Landmarks
### Charni Road Railway Station

One of the busiest railway stations on Mumbai’s Western Line, Charni Road station serves as a crucial transit point for daily commuters traveling to business hubs such as Nariman Point and Churchgate.

### Girgaon Chowpatty:

A famous public beach located near Charni Road, Girgaon Chowpatty is a popular spot for relaxation and festive celebrations. It is particularly renowned for the Ganesh Chaturthi Visarjan, where thousands gather for the immersion of Lord Ganesha idols.

### Taraporewala Aquarium

India’s oldest aquarium, the Taraporewala Aquarium, is located along Marine Drive near Charni Road. It features a wide variety of marine and freshwater species and serves as an educational and tourist attraction.

### Wilson College

One of Mumbai’s oldest colleges, founded in 1832, known for its Gothic architecture and historical significance.
Saifee Hospital:
A modern healthcare facility catering to both local and international patients.
Royal Opera House:
Mumbai’s only surviving opera house, renowned for its grand architecture and cultural performances.