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Question

Who designed the Bombay Secretariat in the 1870s?

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2019 Elementary Mathematics Previous Year Paper (03-Feb-2019)
The correct answer is

H. St. Clair Wilkins

Discovering the Designer of the Bombay Secretariat

The question asks who was responsible for designing the Bombay Secretariat building during the 1870s. This historical building is a prominent example of architecture from the British Raj era in Mumbai (formerly Bombay).

Let's examine the options provided:

  • H. St. Clair Wilkins: He was a British engineer and architect who worked in India during the 19th century.
  • Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Readymoney: He was a notable Parsi businessman and philanthropist in Bombay.
  • Purushottamdas Thakurdas: He was a prominent Indian businessman and economist.
  • Nusserwanji Tata: He was a pioneer Indian industrialist and one of the key figures in the Tata Group.

Historical records show that the Bombay Secretariat, a significant government building in the Fort area of Mumbai, was designed by an architect named H. St. Clair Wilkins. The construction of this building took place in the 1870s, specifically between 1874 and 1877.

The building is known for its Venetian Gothic architectural style, which was popular during that period for public buildings in Bombay.

Based on historical facts, H. St. Clair Wilkins is credited with designing the Bombay Secretariat. The other individuals listed, while important figures in Bombay's history, were not architects responsible for designing this particular building.

Therefore, the correct answer is H. St. Clair Wilkins.

Revision Table: Bombay Secretariat Details

Building Location Architect Construction Period Architectural Style
Bombay Secretariat Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India H. St. Clair Wilkins 1874-1877 (during the 1870s) Venetian Gothic

Additional Information: H. St. Clair Wilkins and Bombay Architecture

H. St. Clair Wilkins was involved in designing several buildings during his time in British India. The Bombay Secretariat is one of his well-known works. The architectural style used, Venetian Gothic, is characterized by features like pointed arches, elaborate tracery, and intricate carvings, often seen in public buildings constructed during the late 19th century in Bombay under British rule. This style aimed to blend European Gothic architecture with influences sometimes adapted for the local climate or context. The Bombay Secretariat stands as a historical landmark representing the administrative architecture of that era.

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