Khada Parsi
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'''Khada Parsi''' ({{translation|Standing Parsi}}) is a heritage monument located in [[Byculla]], [[Mumbai]], India. Erected in the 1860s, the monument features a life-sized bronze statue of Cursetjee Manockjee (19 August 1763 — 7 May 1845), a prominent Parsi businessman and judge, atop a [[cast iron]] pillar.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-12 |title=Khada Parsi in Byculla is an act of colonial defiance and a son’s tribute to his father |url=https://theprint.in/feature/around-town/khada-parsi-in-byculla-is-an-act-of-colonial-defiance-and-a-sons-tribute-to-his-father/2902534/ |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=ThePrint |language=en}} It is considered one of the oldest Parsi statues in Mumbai.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-20 |title=Art on the Street: The 'oldest Parsi' in Mumbai who has been overseeing the city for over 150 years |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/art-street-the-oldest-parsi-in-mumbai-who-has-been-overseeing-the-city-for-over-150-years-7826790/ |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}
==History==
The monument was commissioned by [[Manockjee Cursetjee]] as a tribute to his father, Cursetjee Manockjee, in 1865. The bronze statue was sculpted in London. The total cost of the monument at the time was approximately {{INRConvert|20|k|year=1865}}.
The monument stands roughly {{Convert|40|ft|m}} tall. The central pillar is adorned with four [[mermaid]]s located at the base, which originally functioned as water fountains. Manockjee is depicted in traditional Parsi attire, including a long coat (dugli) and a ceremonial hat (feta or pagri).
The statue was originally presented to the [[Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation]] (BMC) with the condition that it be maintained and provided with a continuous water supply for its fountains. While it was initially placed in a more prominent, open setting, urban development eventually resulted in it being hemmed in by two major flyovers: the Y-shaped flyover and the Byculla flyover.{{Cite web |date=2012-08-25 |title=Khada Parsi may stand elsewhere |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/khada-parsi-may-stand-elsewhere/articleshow/15798777.html |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=Mumbai Mirror |language=en}}
==Relocation proposals==
Over the decades, the monument suffered from neglect, corrosion, and theft of its bronze lamps. In 2012, the BMC considered shifting the statue to a different location, such as Five Gardens in [[Matunga]] or a traffic island near the [[Bhau Daji Lad Museum]], to improve its visibility and protect it from traffic pollution. However, heritage conservationists and the local community opposed the move, arguing that the statue was a landmark intrinsic to Byculla.{{Cite web |date=2014-06-12 |title=Khada Parsi to retain his Byculla spot |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/khada-parsi-to-retain-his-byculla-spot/ |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}
==Restoration==
In 2014, the BMC completed a major restoration project.{{Cite web |date=2014-06-19 |title=Iconic Khada Parsi statue restored |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/iconic-khada-parsi-statue-restored/articleshow/36786876.html |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=Mumbai Mirror |language=en}} Following the restoration, it was decided that the monument would remain at its original site in Byculla.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==History==
The monument was commissioned by [[Manockjee Cursetjee]] as a tribute to his father, Cursetjee Manockjee, in 1865. The bronze statue was sculpted in London. The total cost of the monument at the time was approximately {{INRConvert|20|k|year=1865}}.
The monument stands roughly {{Convert|40|ft|m}} tall. The central pillar is adorned with four [[mermaid]]s located at the base, which originally functioned as water fountains. Manockjee is depicted in traditional Parsi attire, including a long coat (dugli) and a ceremonial hat (feta or pagri).
The statue was originally presented to the [[Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation]] (BMC) with the condition that it be maintained and provided with a continuous water supply for its fountains. While it was initially placed in a more prominent, open setting, urban development eventually resulted in it being hemmed in by two major flyovers: the Y-shaped flyover and the Byculla flyover.{{Cite web |date=2012-08-25 |title=Khada Parsi may stand elsewhere |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/khada-parsi-may-stand-elsewhere/articleshow/15798777.html |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=Mumbai Mirror |language=en}}
==Relocation proposals==
Over the decades, the monument suffered from neglect, corrosion, and theft of its bronze lamps. In 2012, the BMC considered shifting the statue to a different location, such as Five Gardens in [[Matunga]] or a traffic island near the [[Bhau Daji Lad Museum]], to improve its visibility and protect it from traffic pollution. However, heritage conservationists and the local community opposed the move, arguing that the statue was a landmark intrinsic to Byculla.{{Cite web |date=2014-06-12 |title=Khada Parsi to retain his Byculla spot |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/khada-parsi-to-retain-his-byculla-spot/ |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}
==Restoration==
In 2014, the BMC completed a major restoration project.{{Cite web |date=2014-06-19 |title=Iconic Khada Parsi statue restored |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/iconic-khada-parsi-statue-restored/articleshow/36786876.html |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=Mumbai Mirror |language=en}} Following the restoration, it was decided that the monument would remain at its original site in Byculla.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
