Bombay, thanks to its advantageous location and convenient harbor, has at all times been a major maritime center - commercial or military, beginning with the Gujarat Sultanate from the 14th century, then passing into the possession of Portugal in the 16th century, and ending with the final British colonial period from the 17th century.
In the middle of the 19th century, the British turned Bombay into one of the largest commercial centers of Asia, and the abandonment of the fortress fortifications contributed to a real construction boom in the city.
One of the striking examples of architecture from the colonial era is Sailors Home, which was built, as is not hard to guess, to accommodate 20 officers and 100 sailors. The start of construction was timed to coincide with the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh, who laid the first stone in the foundation of the future Sailors Home in 1870.
The building was designed by the architect Frederick William Stevens. The house was opened in 1876 and until 1928 was used for its intended purpose, until Bombay Town Hall was housed here.
Today Sailors Home serves as the headquarters of the Maharashtra state police; it is located in the southern part of Mumbai, opposite Regal Circle. A beautiful statue of Neptune on the pediment and decorative circular masonry resembling ship portholes remind visitors that this house was created for sailors.
