{{short description|Residential colony in Mumbai}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}} {{use Indian English|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox housing project | building name = Cusrow Baug | image = Cusrow Baug Gate.jpg | image_size = | alt = Gate of Cusrow Baug | caption = Gate of Cusrow Baug | mapframe =yes |mapframe-caption = Location in Mumbai | location = Colaba Causeway, Mumbai, India | coordinates = {{coord|18.9204|72.8291|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}} | status = Completed | category = | demolished = | area = {{convert|84000|sqyd|sqm}} | population date = | population = | blocknumber = 17 | units = | density = | built = | construction period = | constructed = | construction architect = Claude Batley | construction contractors = | construction style = | construction date = 1934–1959 | construction authority = | construction influence = | refurbishment architect = | refurbishment contractors = | refurbishment style = | refurbishment method = | refurbishment image = | refurbishment caption = | refurbishment proposal date = | refurbishment units = | refurbished = | refurbishment authority = | listing date = | listing type = | succession = | governing body = R. N. Wadia Trust | famous residents = }}
'''Cusrow Baug''' is a Parsi residential colony on Colaba Causeway, Mumbai, India. Its residential blocks were completed between 1934 and 1959. The colony houses a Zoroastrian temple, computer centre, gymnasium, and sports club. It was designed by Claude Batley.
== History ==
Following his death, Parsi businessman Nowrosjee N. Wadia left a large amount of money to his wife Jerbai Wadia. She used it to build five residential colonies, known as ''baugs'', and create funds for Parsis who were unable to afford housing.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2015-11-05 |title=Insider's guide to... Colaba |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/insider-s-guide-to-colaba/story-FthLruNtabAPnRAhZW2YcO.html |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404143813/https://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/insider-s-guide-to-colaba/story-FthLruNtabAPnRAhZW2YcO.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Vevaina |first=Leilah |url=https://academic.oup.com/california-scholarship-online/book/29787/chapter/251871311 |title=Handbook of Religion and the Asian City: Aspiration and Urbanization in the Twenty-First Century |date=2015-05-19 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=978-0-520-28122-6 |editor-last=van der Veer |editor-first=Peter |pages=157, 166–167 |language= |chapter=8. Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good (Trust) Deeds: Parsis, Risk, and Real Estate in Mumbai |doi=10.1525/california/9780520281226.003.0008}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last=Vevaina |first=Leilah |year=2018 |title=Good Deeds: Parsi trusts from 'the womb to the tomb' |journal=Modern Asian Studies |language= |volume=52 |issue=1 |pages=254–255 |doi=10.1017/S0026749X17000336 |s2cid=149285701 |issn=0026-749X |doi-access=free }}</ref> These five baugs, created in honour of her husband and three sons, are called Cusrow Baug, Ness Baug, Rustom Baug, Jer Baug, and Nowroze Baug. They contain a total of 1545 apartments.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shinde |first=Rupali |date=2017 |title="The younger generation in Mumbai no longer believes in community housing" - Abigail McGowan |url=https://www.mumbailive.com/en/infrastructure/the-younger-generation-in-mumbai-no-longer-believes-in-community-housing-abigail-mcgowan-12923 |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=Mumbai Live |language= |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406062122/https://www.mumbailive.com/en/infrastructure/the-younger-generation-in-mumbai-no-longer-believes-in-community-housing-abigail-mcgowan-12923 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":6" /> The baugs are maintained by N. N. Wadia and R. N. Wadia Trusts under the Bombay Parsi Punchayet.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":6" /> The managing committee is chaired by a member of the Wadia family.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":6" />
Cusrow Baug was designed by English architect Claude Batley.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Marfatia |first=Meher |date=2023-01-29 |title=Carrom and camaraderie in the colony |url=https://www.mid-day.com/news/opinion/article/carrom-and-camaraderie-in-the-colony-23267775 |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Mid-day |language=en |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404151658/https://www.mid-day.com/news/opinion/article/carrom-and-camaraderie-in-the-colony-23267775 |url-status=live }}</ref> The first residential blocks of the colony were completed in 1934, after two years of construction.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Teotia |first=Sweta |date=2008-10-26 |title=Tales from Cusrow Baug |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/tales-from-cusrow-baug/378098/ |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Indian Express |archive-date=8 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208092321/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/tales-from-cusrow-baug/378098 |url-status=live }}</ref> The S and T blocks were completed in 1959.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2004 |title=Sports |url=http://www.cusrowbaug.org/sports.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717082717/http://www.cusrowbaug.org/sports.html |archive-date=2007-07-17 |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=Cusrow Baug}}</ref> It is one of the oldest Parsi colonies in Mumbai.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mogul |first=Rhea |date=2020-07-05 |title=One of India's richest minority groups enjoys some of Mumbai's best rents. Here's why |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/04/india/india-parsi-colony-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406062120/https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/04/india/india-parsi-colony-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The houses in the colony are not for sale and are only available to be rented.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-07-12 |title=Migrated but kept flat? Parsis must give 'em up |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/migrated-but-kept-flat-parsis-must-give-em-up/articleshow/70184894.cms |access-date=2023-04-06 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410162910/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/migrated-but-kept-flat-parsis-must-give-em-up/articleshow/70184894.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> During the 1950s, because the colony was located near a swamp, it had only a few tenants even at a minimal rent of {{INRconvert|40|year=1950}} per month.<ref name=":1" />
The Seth Nusserwanji Hirji Karani Agiary, a Zoroastrian fire temple, is located in the colony.<ref name=":2" /> The holy fire of the temple was originally lit at Nizam Street on 16 March 1847. It was later moved to Sodawaterwalla Agiary for some time, and then moved to the colony on the night of 22–23 February 1935.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=1999-08-01 |title=Sheth N. H. Karani Agiary |url=http://www.cusrowbaug.org/agiary.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717082647/http://www.cusrowbaug.org/agiary.html |archive-date=2007-07-17 |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Cusrow Baug}}</ref> On 21 March 1959, Sir Cusrow Wadia Pavilion was opened for sporting activities.<ref name=":5" />
== Features ==
The residential blocks of the colony are labelled in alphabetical order, beginning from A to U, except for I, L, N, and O, which are absent.<ref name=":3" />
The colony covers an area of {{convert|84000|sqyd|sqm}} and can house more than 500 families.<ref name=":2" /> It has a computer centre, a gymnasium, and a sports club called Cusrow Baug United Sports and Welfare League. The social activity cell of the colony conducts religious classes and provides scholarships.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-08 |title=Cusrow Baug Inaugurates 'Power Gym' |url=https://parsi-times.com/2020/02/cusrow-baug-inaugurates-power-gym/ |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=Parsi Times |language=en-GB |archive-date=6 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406090647/https://parsi-times.com/2020/02/cusrow-baug-inaugurates-power-gym/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Seth Nusserwanji Hirji Karani Agiary is built on a plot measuring {{convert|1400|sqyd|sqm}}.<ref name=":4" />
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Mumbai Category:1934 establishments in India Category:Residential buildings in India Category:British colonial architecture in India Category:Art Deco architecture in India Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1959 Category:Wadia family