AFGHAN CHURCH: A HERITAGE SITE

IN SOUTH BOMBAY

Project submitted to the Department of History, University of Mumbai for M.A.

Semester IV (CBCS) Project Based Course at Department of History, University of
Mumbai for the academic year 2021-2022

NEHA RAJBHAR

Roll No: 53

Under the Guidance of

Dr. Manjiri Kamat

Professor

Department of History

Associate Dean

Faculty of Humanities

University of Mumbai

Department of History, University of Mumbai, Vidyanagari, Mumbai- 400 098

April 2022

1
 UNDERTAKING

I, hereby undertake that the project submitted by me for M.A. Semester IV (CBCS)
Project Based Course at Department of History, University of Mumbai for the
Academic Year 2021-2022 is written by me. All the sources referred by me in the
project have been duly acknowledged.

I am solely responsible for the research work submitted in this project.

NEHA RAJBHAR

Roll No: 53

M.A. Semester IV (CBCS), 2021-2022

Department of History

University of Mumbai – 400 098

08.04.2022

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 CONTENTS

Title of the Page Page No.

Introduction 4

Chapter 1 Churches in South 7

Bombay
Chapter 2 Architecture of 14
Afghan Church
Chapter3 Heritage
Conservation of 19
Afghan Church
Conclusion 23

Bibliography 24

Picture Plates 26

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 INTRODUCTION

Mumbai, previously known as Bombay 1 was an archipelago of “Seven Islands”, namely Colaba,
Mazagaon, Mahim, Parel, Isle of Bombay, Worli and Old Woman’s Island. The Portuguese
Empire conquered the city of Bassein that is its regions, islands and oceans. Bombay was used to
be known as Bombaim, during Portuguese era (1534-1661).

Mumbai has seen the pinnacle of Gothic Architecture and churches back when it was “Bombay”.
Churches comprise a huge part of city’s architectural wonders, mostly due to the widespread
Christian inhabitants and profound colonial influence. Originally named as St. John the
Evangelist, Afghan Church was built to commemorate the causalities of the first Anglo- Afghan
war (1842). The church was built by the British Government between 1847 and 1858.

Wide Gothic arches, beautiful stained glass, sixty meter high tower spire, splayed doorways and
windows, rib vaults and ornamentation make a picturesque sight. The church is located in the
Military Cantonment Zone in Colaba area of present day South Mumbai. Churches have always
been important institution in our society. The church is the only place that affords actual truths.

The deviation stems from the difference in the types of pleasure each set out to attain. Many of
the world's pleasures conflict with our conscience and morals, and the teachings of the church.
Most history of the church in India was lost between the 9th and the 14th Century, as Persia went
over to the Nestorianism in 800AD. Since the provision of church offices and all the apparatus of
public worship was looked to a foreign source, the Indian Christians were reduced to nominal
Christians when the foreign aid was withdrawn.

When Dominican and Franciscan Missionaries arrived in 1300s with the intention of preaching
Gospel, they were surprised to find a small Christian community already in existence. Protestant
Missionaries first arrived in Maharashtra from England and the United States in1813 after the
passing of the Charter Act of 1813 by British Parliament.

1 Author has used the term Bombay which was previously used to address the present Mumbai.

4
The most important thing about church attendance is having the truth proclaimed. The church is
open to any and all who are willing, and offer a place to discover the purpose in life, and develop
a sense of self-worth and appreciation, which will then teach you how to live a fulfilling life.
While all humans are innately built with a need to achieve pleasure the main difference between
those of the world and those in the church are the means and ways of accomplishing this goal.

Church also exists to provide people the opportunity for fellowship of other believers. The
church exists to provide a place to corporate worship of the living God. The role of the modern
church in the life of 21st century believes is critical because it fills void only the church can.

It highlights the adaptation of the Gothic Architecture to build the Afghan Church in south
Bombay. It also gives a brief a study on the St. Thomas Cathedral in the present day South
Mumbai and the heritage conservation of St. John the Evangelist. The Afghan Church was the
first church in the country to be built according to the principles laid down by the Ecclesiological
Society in Britain.

The principles were followed by the churches in Britain and hence the same rules were applied
while designing the churches in Bombay under the British rule. The St. John the Evangelist is an
architectural heritage site which is an important part of the Indian history. It is playing a
significant part in the history of colonial Bombay.

The first chapter gives a brief introduction on the history of the Afghan Church and also throws
light on the St. Thomas Cathedral located in the present day south Mumbai. It gives an insight on
the history of the St. Thomas Cathedral.

The second chapter throws light on the Gothic Architecture as well on the construction of the
Afghan Church. It gives a detailed information on the arches, beautiful stained glasses, tower
spire, splayed windows and doorways, rib vaults which are the main features of the Gothic
Architecture.

The third chapter discuss is the about heritage conservation and restoration of the Afghan Church
and the architectural heritage building is in dire need of restoration.

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The descriptive analytical research methodology is used in this research which focuses on the
literature part and the contents are provided by the different newspaper articles such as The
Hindu, Hindustan Times; the books referred for this research are ‘Bombay the cities within’ by
Sharda Dwivedi and Rahul Mehrotra, the second book referred for the study is M.D David
‘Mumbai the city of dreams’, ‘Bombay gothic’ by Christopher London and the ‘Fort walks’ by
Sharda Dwivedi and Rahul Mehrotra. The Gazetteer of Bombay City and Island- Volume 3, and
many journal articles like Journal of the Indian Institute of Architect- Vol.8, issue 10 published
on Nov 2018 is referred.

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 CHAPTER 1

CHURCHES IN SOUTH BOMBAY

Introduction

“Ownership of the island of Bombay passed from the hands of the Portuguese to the British
Crown when Charles II married the Infanta Catherine of Braganza, Princess of Portugal,
in1661.”1 A marriage treaty was dated on 23rd June 1661, which was then endorsed on 28th
August 1661. Charles II didn’t have the difficulty to manage the administration of these islands,
and leased Bombay and the other islets to the East India Company in 1668 for 10 pounds per
year.

“The cluster of Heptanesia, the configuration of which has been fairly well reproduced in an old
map of 1843, had on its southernmost tip a narrow tongue of rocky land, called today Lower
Colaba that extends further south in the form of a few submerged reefs beyond Colaba Point.
Northward of this island, and close proximity to it was a small, almost triangular island known in
later Portuguese days as the Al Omanis or in its anglicized corruption as the Old Woman’s
Island.”2

“The Kolis gave their name to the southernmost of Bombay’s seven islands. Kolabhat or Colaba,
the landed estate of the fisher folk. To its north lay the smaller Old Woman’s Island- an English
corruption of Al-Omani, a name bestowed by Arab seafarers on the habitation of deep sea
fishermen of the sea of Oman. According to local tradition, the high ground still noticeable
within the eastern side of Colaba bazaar once formed the summit to this little isle.” 3

1 Dr. M.D. David, Bombay: The City of Dreams, Himalaya Publishing House, Bombay, October 1995, p. 21.
2 Gazetteer of Bombay City and Islands-Volume I, Chapter 1.
https://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/greater_bombay/general.html#1
3 Sharda Dwivedi & Rahul Mehrotra, Bombay: The Cities Within, Eminence Designs Pvt. Ltd., Bombay, 2001, p. 66

7
The Church didn't draw upon the souls of millions because of its importance, but because of it
appealed to something that billions around the world struggle with. It proposed an answer too
many of our lives problems. The church is open to any and all who are willing, and offer a place
to discover the purpose in life, and develop a sense of self-worth and appreciation, which will
then teach you how to live a fulfilling life.

St. John the Evangelist/ Afghan Church (1845)

“The growth of the Christian community in Bombay was one of the distinctive contributions of
the Portuguese. Today their rich legacy is visible in customs, name of places, churches and
festivals of this vibrant community.”4

“Under the encouragement of Portuguese the relentless efforts of the Franciscan and Jesuit
religious orders to convert local people to Christianity bore fruit. The growth of the Christian
community in Bombay added to its heterogeneous character, and was one of the distinctive
contributions of the Portuguese.”5

“Bombay grew as an urban centre under the direction of the British who brought their aesthetic
values with them from ‘home’. In the 18th and 19th centuries, they experimented with the neo-
Classical style of architecture, but then, suddenly, the city charted new course that reflected
contemporary European fashions. The study of medieval structures had resulted in distinct
architectural trends in northern Europe and Britain. To develop a more national style, perhaps,
building forms began to be based increasingly upon ancient Greek and Roman precepts.” 6

The first Anglo Afghan war was fought between the British Empire and Afghanistan from 1839
to 1842. In the beginning of the 19th century there was a diplomatic competition going on
between the British Empire and the Russian empire. In the 1832, First Reform Bill was passed in
United Kingdom which the emperor Nicholas I of Russia openly disapproved and this led to a

4 Dr. M.D. David, Bombay: The City of Dreams, Himalaya Publishing House, Bombay, October 1995, p. 16.
5 Ibid, p. 18.
6 Christopher W London, Bombay Gothic, India Book House Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, 2002, p. 10.

8
Cold War between Russia and Britain while many countries believed that Russian autocracy and
British democracy was bound to clash.

The Britishers misunderstood The foreign policy of emperor Nicholas as an anti British
expansionary policy in Asia. The main objective of Nicholas’s foreign policy was not conquest
of Asia But upholding the status quo in Europe by cooperating with Prussia and Austria and
isolating France. The idea that Russia was threat to British East India company is one of the
versions of events.

The British East India company fear the alliance between dost Mohammad Khan and Qatari
Ruler of Iran. The British fear that an invading Islamic army would lead uprising in India by the
people and princely states. The East India Company also sent an envoy to Kabul to form an
alliance with Afghanistan’s Amir Dost Mohammed Khan against Russia.

Then an invasion was ordered on Afghanistan, which was ordered by the Governor General of
India Who was Lord Auckland with the objective of restoring exiled Afghan ruler Shah Shoja in
April 1839, after suffering the deprivation of ration The British Army entered Kandahar and
Shoja Was crowned as Shah.

The Afghans did not tolerate a king imposed on them by a foreign power which caused A
rebellion to break out. Dost Mohammad who had escaped two Balkh and then to Bukhara
escaped from the prison and returned to Afghanistan to lead his partitions Against British. in the
battle of Parwan on November 2nd 1840, Dost Mohammed had the upper hand but the next day
he surrendered to the Britishers in Kabul.

In March 1843, the Oxford Society for Promoting the Study of Gothic Architecture which was
later renamed as the Oxford Architectural and Historical Society received a request from the
Rev. Pigott who was a Chaplain to the East India Company in Bombay. The immediate
encouragement for the fundraising and construction was for the church to serve as the principal
memorial to the casualties of the 1 st Anglo- Afghan war.

The English Architect John Macduff Derick presented his designs to the Society in November of
the same year, and they met with the Society’s approval. However, in June 1845 word came
from India that the designs were unfit for the purpose and the building would cost too much.

9
“Derick became an approved exponent of the Gothic Revival style in the early days of its
development.”7 “A more interesting case arose when the Society received a letter in March 1843,
from the Chaplain to the Honourable East India Company, asking for them to supply a design for
a church to be built at Colabah (now Kolabah), in the outskirts of Bombay (now Mumbai), as a
memorial to the forces who died in the disasters of the Afghan and Sind campaigns a couple of
years previously. By November, the designs by Derick were presented for inspection at a
meeting of the Society and the occasion was taken to praise the skill with which he had adapted
the Gothic style to the extreme climate of India.”8

“Then, in 1847, Frere approached the Society again, on behalf of the church’s trustees, and he
succeeded in bringing back to Bombay drawings by Gilbert Scott, one of Britain’s most
distinguished prolific neo- Gothic designers. St. John’s was the first building in Bombay for
which designs were sought from an architect practicing abroad. Regrettably, Scott’s now lost
designs were also deemed to elaborate and expensive for Bombay. However, the British architect
and engineer, Henry Conybeare, in Bombay to design the city’s water supply system, shared
with Frere an abiding interest in the Gothic style.” 9

The foundation stone of the church was laid on 4th December 1847 by Sir George Russell Clerk,
Governor of Bombay. When Conybeare stood down as the town engineer in 1850, Captain C.W.
Tremenheere of the Royal Engineers took the role of superintending architect for modifying
certain aspects of the approved design such as reducing the pitch of the roof and height of the
tower. Architect William Butterfield in conjunction with students from the Sir Jamsetjee
Jeejeebhoy School of Art designed the decorative tile reredos. The Afghan War Memorial

7Phil Mottram, “John Macduff Derick (c.1805/6–59): A Biographical Sketch”; Ecclesiology Today,Journal of the
Ecclesiological Society, Issue 32, January 2004, p. 40.
http://ecclsoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ET32.pdf
8 Ibid, p. 44-45.
9 Christopher W London, Bombay Gothic, India Book House Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, 2002, p. 16.

10
mosaics, the polychrome floor tiles, choir stalls, screen and pews were also produced to
Butterfield's designs.

St. THOMAS CATHEDRAL

Dating back to the year 1718, the St. Thomas Cathedral church is one of the oldest and most
distinguished landmarks in Mumbai City. The church has been standing tall for ages witnessing
the ruling British empire, the fall of it, several colonization’s of Mumbai and a peaceful
settlement now. It was built with an effort to provide for a worship place to the British
Settlements in Mumbai, the St. Thomas Church is the first Anglican Church here and is of high
religious importance to the city.

The foundation stone of St. Thomas cathedral church was laid by Gerald Aungier who was the
then Governor of the East India Company in the year 1676 AD and the construction work started
immediately. But upon Aungier's death, the church's construction also came to a standstill and
was revived after almost half a century.

In the year 1715, a young enthusiastic Chaplain named Richard Cobbe came to the then Bombay
and saw the half-constructed church. He completed the construction of church within three years
from 1715 to 1718 and it was opened to the general public on the Christmas of 1718. Since then,
the St. Thomas cathedral church has heard millions of prayers and confessions and blessed the
devotees with its divinity.

“The church was named after St. Thomas, the apostle of Christ who, according to tradition,
visited India in 52 A.D. And seats in the church were set apart for the Governor and his council,
ladies, other dignitaries and commoners. It was perhaps the most memorable Christmas Day in
Bombay, the opening ceremony was conducted with great éclat.”10

“Prior to 1675 the English in Bombay possessed no church of any kind and for more than forty
years after that date the only place of divine worship was a room situated in the castle and called

10 Dr. M.D. David, Bombay: The City of Dreams, Himalaya Publishing House, Bombay, October 1995, p. 68.

11
the Fort Chapel. In 1672 and again in 1674 Gerald Aungier took the initiative and wrote to the
Court of Directors desiring “by Gods assistance to erect a small church for public worship in the
centre of the town" and in 1674 a regular scheme for building a garrison-church was projected.
After approval and encouragement from the Council at Surat the plan of the building was
submitted by the President at Surat for the Court's approval in 1676 it being designed to seat a
thousand people and " to be of a form proportion-able to our usual churches in England but plain
and free from superfluous ornament. The expenses were to be defrayed by voluntary
contributions largely borne by the Company's servants. After the receipt of formal sanction from
the court of Directors the present site at the corner of the Elphinstone Circle, the then Bombay
Green, was chosen, the building was commenced; and at the date of Sir John Child's
governorship (1681-1690) the walls had been raised to fifteen feet. Then for some reason the
work suddenly languished and the bare walls remained till a generation later a gathering place
for animals an object of derision to the Indian and a reproach to the English in Bombay. But the
scandal was removed on the arrival in Bombay on the 21st September 1714 of the Reverend
Richard Cobbe, Chaplain to the East India Company who exhorted the English community “to
wipe away the reproach of being godless in the sight of the heathens.” 11

“This is the church after which the church gate two the food was named. A plaque On the
entrance wall to the West recounts the history of the cathedral, which is a mixture of successive
architectural styles culminating with a gothic tower added in 1838 and a gothic chancel added in
1860. Spend a few moments near the lovely gothic fountain at the entrance, which was designed
in England by the eminent British architect, Sir Gilbert Scott, who also designed the Bombay
university library and convocation hall.”12

“The most interesting portions of the building are the tessellated pave-ment in the chancel, which
was laid down in memory of Archdeacon Fletcher; the three upper clerestory windows erected to
the memory of Michael Scott, a merchant, and five lancet windows erected by the Royal
Engineers to the officers of that corps. The finest memorials are those erected to the Honourable

11
Gazetteer of Bombay City and Islands-Volume III, Chapter 10

https://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/greater_bombay/places.html#56
12 Christopher W London, Bombay Gothic, India Book House Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, 2002, p. 22.

12
Jonathan Duncan, Governor of Bombay (1795-1811); to Captain Hardinge, R.N., a younger
brother of Lord Hardinge, who fell in the victorious naval engagement off the coast of Ceylon
between the British ship San Florenzo and French frigate La Pied Montaise; to Stephen
Babington, reviser of the judicial code, whose statue now stands in the Town Hall; and to Bishop
Carr, whose effigy in marble, in full episcopal robes, reposes in the southern transept. Other
monuments of historical interest are those to Brigadier-General Carnac, who defeated the
Shahzada in 1761; to John Watson, Superintendent of Marine, who was killed at the siege of
Thane in 1774; to Admiral Maitland, to whom, when in command of H.M.S. Bellerophon,
Napoleon surrendered; to Colonel Burton Barr, who won the battle of Khadaki; and to Major
Eldred Pottinger, the heroic defender of Herat. An attractive specimen of Bacon's sculpture is the
medallion in memory of Mrs. Kirkpatrick on the wall.” 13

Conclusion

Bombay is a cluster of seven islands. It was an important port city. The Britishers started to settle
in the city and growth of the new religion that is Christianity started to spread in the city. St.
John the Evangelist church was one such church which was laid on the guiding principles of
Ecclesiological society in Britain. St. Thomas Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in Bombay
which is also the first Anglican Church in Bombay. It was constructed in 1718 or the British
inhabitants in Bombay.

13Gazetteer of Bombay City and Island-Volume III, Chapter 10.

https://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/greater_bombay/places.html#57

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 CHAPTER 2

ARCHITECTURE OF AFGHANCHURCH

Introduction

Originally named St. John the Evangelist, Afghan church was built to commemorate the
casualty's of the first Anglo Afghan war (1842). The church is one of a kind landmark in South
Mumbai the church is an example of early Victorian revival architecture. The Anglican Church
was preceded by a small Chapel just a kilometer of its present day location.

The construction of the church in 1840s was led by the Rev. George Piggott a Chaplain to the
East India Company in Bombay. The Rev. Piggott had previously served as the Chaplin to
Bombay army when troops advanced on Kabul in 1838. In March 1843, the Oxford society for
promoting the study of which was later known as the Oxford architectural and Historical Society
received a request from the Rev. Piggott Asking for a design of the new church.

An English architect John Macduff Derick Presented his designs for the society which was later
approved as well. However in June 1845 word came from India that the building would cost too
much. Later Sir George Gilbert Scott a renowned architect On behalf of the church trustees
brought back the drawings. These drawings were expensive which were eventually modified by
Henry Conybeare, a British architect an engineer in Bombay.

The Afghan church was though largest and the most elaborate of Conybeare’s Architectural
composition. This church was built by using the Ashlar masonry and was the first church in
Bombay as for the principles laid by the ecclesiological society. The foundation stone of the
church was laid by Sir George Russell Clerk on 4th December 1847.

“The industrial revolution caused an architectural revival in Britain. Revivalists A.W.N. Pugin
and Sir John Ruskin, through their writings created a basis for architectural designing. Ruskin
through his book ‘Stones of Venice’ 1853, devoted a chapter to the ‘Nature of Gothic’ praised

14
Gothic architecture for ‘The magnificent science of its structure, and the sacredness of its
expression.”1

Pugin, a writer and architect Aimed at bringing the old mediaeval styles and forms of
architecture of the 14th century, through his books ‘Contrasts’ (1836) and ‘True principles of
pointed or Christian architecture’ (1841). His books combined a variety of beliefs such as,
Architectural: A demand for ‘truth’ of construction, inherited from the French rationalist
tradition of the 18th century and a strong sensitivity to materials and colours, inherited from the
English picturesque.”2

Gothic Architecture is a European style of architecture that values height and exhibits complex
and delicate anesthetics. Though its roots are French, the Gothic approach can be found in
churches, cathedrals and other similar buildings in Europe and other countries. It elevated from
Romanesque architecture and was later succeeded by Renaissance architecture. It originated in
the Ile-de-France and regions of northern France. Initially referred as Opus Francigenum or
“French works”, this architectural genre dominated the European tastes namely that of Roman
Catholic Church until the 16th century when it became to be known as ‘Gothic’.

“The gothic style that developed at Bombay most easily harmonized with historic Indian
preferences for sculpture balconies and eclectic range of interiors and exteriors. The style offered
the colour and complexity of mughal and Hindu architecture, and it appealed to local
benefactors. This was an important consideration as Parsis, Who will estimated in 1855 to own
about half of Bombay, including substantial parts of the Fort and Malabar hill neighborhoods,
Jain cotton brokers, Philanthropic Banias, and Bhatia Shets often sponsored the public buildings
in 19th century Bombay.”3

1 Sonia D’silva Fonseca,” Exploring the Replica of the St. John the Evangelist Church, Colaba In Colonial Bombay
Parallel to the Gothic Revival Architecture in Britain, Era: 1840 – 1880”, Journal of Indian Institute of Architects,
Vol. 83, Issue 10,2018, p.12. https://indianinstituteofarchitects.com/pdf/jiia/November_2018.pdf
2 Ibid, p. 13.
3 Christopher W London, Bombay Gothic, India Book House Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, 2002, p. 30.

15
“As Sir Stanley Reed noted in The India I Knew, Purists sniff at the florid architecture of the
period: they jeer at meaningless cusp and cupola; and truly, though dubbed Italian- Gothic,
French- Gothic, Neo- Gothic, or Indo- Saracenic, it belongs to no recognized school.” 4 Gothic
style can varies according to the location, age and type of building, and it is often characterized
by five key architectural elements: Large stained glasses, windows, painted arches, rib vaults,
flying buttresses and ornament decoration. Some of the other characteristics are the tower Spire
columns and piers and tracery.

Stained glass windows are mainly found in many places of worship, they are also particularly
found in Gothic cathedrals. It features cut coloured glasses these collectors kaleidoscopic
windows which are typically either tall, and the lancet windows or round ‘rose’ windows are
larger than these found in other type of churches. This also allows them in more dazzling light
gothic stained windows also frequently feature tracery or decorative stone support and there are
detailed scenes from biblical stories feature on these stained glass windows.

The pointed arches is a primary feature of many religious structures ample archways which can
be found in most of the gothic churches and cathedrals rather than the white round arches which
are characteristic of Romanesque buildings however the architects working in the gothic style
adapted the tall thin painted arch is found in the Islamic architecture.

In order to include higher ceiling and taller windows into the designs, Gothic architects utilized
the methods of structural support called rib vaulting. Rib vaulting involves the use of interesting
barrel walls which is basically arches place parallel to one another in order to support a rounded
roof these crisscross constructions offer the increase support for the high sky buildings.

The gothic architects employed another unique method of structural support called flying
buttresses which project in stone structures reinforced the buildings by redistributing the weight
of the roof to a lower and more solid level. Flying buttresses ensured the cathedrals that the
architects did not need to sacrifice the thin walls and large windows distinctive of the gothic
style. The ornate decorations include embellished colonnades and colonettes, sculptural

4 Sharda Dwivedi & Rahul Mehrotra, Fort Walks, Eminence Designs Pvt.Ltd., Mumbai, 1999, p.p 11.

16
moldings, statues of Saints and historical figures, pinnacles and Spires and deformed figures that
are double as waterspouts.

“A church should not be a preaching box, but preference should be given to the ritual on the
altar. Even the smallest church should have a spacious chancel, clearly distinct from the nave and
approach on the side of the nave. The Afghan church building of the early English gothic style,
has a simple plan form. Comprising of a nave with a sales on the both side are new chancel at the
South West end the plan is absent the transept arms. A distinct roof Truss which is clearly
evident from the outside is present. A bell tower with a prominent Spire dominates the skyline.” 5

“The builders placed the Chancel at the West End as they were also observing a good rule for
India. Very invention was to have a large glass window over the altar which could have been
done to prevent the harsh morning sunlight from coming straight onto the altar.” 6

“In 1865, the government granted rupees 38,644 for the addition of spire. This not only enhance
the grandeur of Saint Johns and provided for a peal of bells, but it also made the church stand
out as a landmark. that responded to another need, according to the terms of the original lease,
as the deal specified that the land West of the church was to always remain open, providing ships
approaching Bombay an unobstructed view of the Spire. Important stained glass windows were
first seen in Bombay at St. John’s church. The original set of 42 panels depicts a range of
biblical themes under entirely by private contributions to the church an located around the side a
sales and also in the main chancel window.” 7

5Sonia D’silva Fonseca,” Exploring the Replica of the St. John the Evangelist Church, Colaba In Colonial Bombay
Parallel to the Gothic Revival Architecture in Britain, Era: 1840 – 1880”, Journal of Indian Institute of Architects,
Vol. 83, Issue 10,2018, p.14. https://indianinstituteofarchitects.com/pdf/jiia/November_2018.pdf

6 Ibid
7 Christopher W London, Bombay Gothic, India Book House Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, 2002, p. 17.

17
“At the Afghan memorial church, the Spire is highly visible and also used as a landmark for
ships approaching the Bombay harbour. it rises up to a height of 210 feet and consists of eight
bells of different sizes which are used to call the faithful. The Spire, representing a pinnacle so
some mystical intention as well.”8

Conclusion

“The window openings at the St. John the evangelist church follows this principle creating a
feeling of airiness. Whenever one sits in the nave, At least two full windows and their light are
visible. This also validates Pugin’s theory of dispersion of light. It was a style and technique
frequently used in the Middle Ages, at a time when glass was very expensive.” 9

“In the St. John Evangelist, William Butterfield design some of the railings and benches, seats,
entrance, screens and paving pattern for Minton tiles which were imported from Britain. The
stained glass in The Lancet windows at the Afghan church was designed by William Wales who
had earlier collaborated with William Butterfield on London’s Church of St. Barnabas.” 10

8 Sonia D’silva Fonseca,” Exploring the Replica of the St. John the Evangelist Church, Colaba In Colonial Bombay
Parallel to the Gothic Revival Architecture in Britain, Era: 1840 – 1880”, Journal of Indian Institute of Architects,
Vol. 83, Issue 10,2018, p.15.
9 Ibid, p. 16.
10 Ibid, p. 17.

18
 CHAPTER 3

HERITAGE COSERVATION OF AFGHAN

CHURCH
Introduction

Afghan Church is located in Navy Nagar, in Colaba area which comes under Military
Cantonment Zone. Sir George Russell Clerk laid the foundation stone of the church on
4thDecember 1847. During the early years of the 19th century, Both Russian and British forces
were seeking to establish control over Central Asia. The British conquered Kabul which led to
the first Anglo Afghan war fought from 1839 to 1842.

St. John the Evangelist church was built in memory of the soldiers who lost their life in the war.
The church was open in the year 1865 and it has been more than 150 years since the construction
of the church. The church is widely known for its beautiful stained glasses, towers spire splayed
windows and doorways arches ornamentation and rib vaults. .But at present it is in dire need of
restoration mainly because it plays an important part in the history of colonial Bombay and it is a
very important architectural heritage site. Saint John the evangelist church was the first church in
the country according to the principles laid down by the ecclesiological society in Britain. These
principles were laid by the churches in Britain and hence the same rules were applied while
designing the churches in Bombay under the British rule. Hence, before we lose an important
heritage the church needs to be restored.

“India has a large number of heritage buildings made of different types of stones, jointing,
bedding and plastering materials build holidays located in different parts of the country exposed
to different climatic conditions in equally valid an each building material is affected in its own
unique way by the environment. With the impending need to cope with the restoration of
heritage buildings, current knowledge though extensive is by know means complete. India has
over 15,000 historical buildings out of which ASA has declared 3570 buildings as national
monuments an approximately same number has been declared by the state governments ask an

19
important money maze and rest is being maintained by the voluntary organizations, Wakf
boards, Trusts, etc.”1

Restoration work is most commonly undertaken on historic buildings; accurately recreating its
form, features and character as it appeared at a particular time, while protecting its heritage
value. Decay or alterations made to the building can be reversed as part of restoration works.
Restoration aims to achieve a high level of authenticity, replicating materials and techniques as
closely as possible. Where necessary, modern works, such as replacing outdated utilities, or
installing climate controls, alarm systems and so on, are undertaken in a concealed manner where
they will not compromise historic character.

Cultural heritage is a diverse, yet finite and irreplaceable resource. Authenticity, integrity and
sustainability are core values informing the care and use of heritage today, and are the measure
of how successfully it is transmitted to future generations. Together with technical diagnostics,
considerations such as these inform the need, nature and extent of actions and measures to be
carried out by the Conservator-Restorer, on a spectrum of Preventive Conservation, Remedial
Conservation and Restoration.

Each of these represents different levels of intervention, depending on the condition, form,
function and intended purpose of the cultural heritage asset. Scientific methodologies employed
in the analysis of materials and processes of deterioration are combined with humanistic
concerns around authenticity, value and significance in the negotiation of sustainable
preservation outcomes.

1Rajni Lakhani and Rajesh Kumar, Strategies for the Restoration of Heritage Buildings: Material Issue, Conference
paper: BHAGVAN- A SEARCH, Project: Development of repair materials using developed blends along with
additives (Conservation and Restoration of Heritage Structures) (Funded by- CSIR, New Delhi), 2018, p. 2-3.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329446459_Strategies_for_the_Restoration_of_Heritage_Buildings_M
aterial_Issues

20
“Beyond a wide wrought iron gate is a neatly laid garden of frangipani, bougainvillea, croton and
hibiscus. Peepal trees, with their many parakeet tenants, are everywhere. There is a brooding
cypress. And a 168-year-old gnarled banyan. Its spires soaring above the banyan tree and over
much of south skyscrapers — and about as old as the tree — are the Afghan Church. Few
worship here but its architecture and history attract tourists by the droves. Father Christodass, the
pastor, tells me he has just eight families in the parish. I expect an element of liturgical quietude
as I set out to meet the pastor at the church, but the nave is full of activity. Some serious
renovation is in progress: there is a cloud of cement and lime dust, a relentless drone of drills.
There are masons, carpenters and welders at work as a rather vocal supervisor oversees plaster
removal.”2

“Several popular Hindi films have also been shot here Black, Brothers, OK Jaanu, Force 2 and
the recent 102 Not Out. “We don’t allow scenes that don’t befit a church,” the pastor clarifies.
The shoots, however, do bring in some funds for the upkeep of the place — but it’s not nearly
enough to restore the over 160-year-old building. The roof needs fixing and retiling; the internal
woodwork needs repair as does the external stonework; and there are 64 stained glass panels
awaiting restoration. There are many names. Captain G.M. Cruickshank, Lt. T.R. Henn, both of
Royal Engineers; Major T.R. Billamore, Captain A.C. Heightington, C.B. Raitt (rank not known)
from the Royal Artillery; Ensign E.N. Salisbury, Captain I. ,W. Broad Foot (rank not known).”3

The list goes on 4,500 British officers and soldiers died in the first of three Afghan wars. Unlike
Mumbai’s other Gothic buildings, the Afghan church is compact in conception, its appeal lies in
its proportions and elegant design. But the church, listed as a Grade I heritage monument, is in a
sorry state of neglect without resources for renovation and upkeep. The ongoing restoration
project, funded from money collected by the church — ₹30 lakh — can just about cover repairs
to the inner walls and plastering. But approximately ₹10 crore is needed for full restoration,
which could take over four years, according to the pastorate committee. In 2013 when the Prince

2Gopinath, P. Krishna (23 June 2018). "Mumbai's 160-year-old Afghan Church is in dire need of
restoration". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
3Ibid.

21
of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall attended a remembrance service here, the place was
cosmetically spruced up but it needs much more.” 4

Conclusion

Currently, the restoration of the historic St. John the Evangelist Church CNI is being undertaken
by WORLD MONUMENTS FUND INDIA with the partnership of AFGHAN CHURCH
PASTORATE COMMITTEE which is also funded by CITI BANK. The lead Conservation
Architect is Kirtida Unwalla and the Structural Consultant is Shahnawaz Siddiqui.

“The Afghan Church is unique in that this religious building is also a commemorative of a
military event, and holds army memorabilia. In churches and cathedrals, it is commonplace that,
apart from the main Altar Window, most stained glass windows are added as and when donations
are made and sometimes they take years to fill the church. In the case of the Afghan Church, all
the stained glass windows were a part of the architectural plan and were commissioned to
reputed English studios at the time of inception,” shares Swati Chandgadkar, a well-known
stained glass conservator.”5

4Ibid.

5Fiona Fernandez ( 25th September, 2021), How this Mumbai church is connected to Afghanistan, Mid- day.

https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai-guide/things-to-do/article/glass-act-in-colaba-23193820

22
 CONCLUSION
Mumbai has seen the pinnacle of Gothic Architecture and churches back when it was “Bombay”.
Churches comprise a huge part of city’s architectural wonders, mostly due to the widespread of
Christian inhabitants and profound colonial influence. Churches have always been an important
institution in our society.

The most important thing about church attendance is having truth proclaimed. Church exists to
proclaim the word God that is so desperately needed by everyone. The Afghan church is an
architectural heritage which is an important part of Indian history and the Colonial Bombay. It
was built to commemorate the soldiers who died in the first Anglo- Afghan war in 1842. The
church was built by the British government between 1847 and 1858. At present the church is
closed due to the Restoration process which is actually funded by the World Monuments Fund
India.

The Afghan Church is considered as Grade I Heritage as per the Regulations for the Greater
Mumbai 1995 (revised till date). The beautiful arches and stained glasses and a 60 meter tower
spire make it a picturesque sight which needs to be preserved for the historical purposes.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

GAZETTEERS

Gazetteer of Bombay City and Islands, Volume I & III

https://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/greater_bombay/index.html

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

The Times of India, 21 March, 2005 http://toi.in/1WAAdZ/a31gj

Mid-Day, (Mumbai), 25 September, 2018 https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai-guide/things-to-

do/article/glass-act-in-colaba-23193820

The Hindu, 23 June, 2018 https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/mumbais-160-

year-old-afghan-church-is-in-dire-need-of-restoration/article24230787.ece

BOOKS

Dwivedi, Sharda; Mehrotra Rahul, Bombay: The Cities Within, Eminence Designs Pvt. Ltd.,
Girgaon, Mumbai, 1995.

M.D, David, Mumbai: The City of Dreams, Himalaya Publishing House Pvt. Ltd., Girgaon,
Mumbai, 1995.

London, W Christopher, Bombay Gothic, India Book House Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, 2002.

Dwivedi, Sharda; Mehrotra Rahul, Fort Walks, Eminence Designs Pvt. Ltd., Girgaon, Mumbai,
1999.

V.D, Mahajan, Modern Indian History, S. Chand Publication, Delhi, 1990.

24
JOURNAL ARTICLES

Fonesca D’silva Sonia, Exploring the Replica of the St. John the Evangelist Church, Colaba In
Colonial Bombay Parallel to the Gothic Revival Architecture in Britain, Era: 1840 – 1880,
Journal of Indian Institute of Architect, Vol. 83, Issue 10,2018, pp.12-
17.https://indianinstituteofarchitects.com/pdf/jiia/November_2018.pdf

Lakhani Rajni and Sharma Kumar Rajesh, “Strategies the Restoration of Heritage Buildings:
Material Issues, Conference Paper 2018, pp 2-3.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329446459_Strategies_for_the_Restoration_of_Heritag
e_Buildings_Material_Issues

Mottram, Phil, “John Macduff Derick (c.1805/6–59): A Biographical Sketch”; Ecclesiology

Today, Journal of the Ecclesiological Society, Issue 32, January 2004, p. 40.
http://ecclsoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/ET32.pdf

25
 PICTURE PLATES

St. John the Evangelist

SOURCE: https://lbb.in/mumbai/beautiful-architecture-afghan-church-colaba-
surviving-since-1865/

26
 Interior of Afghan Church

SOURCE: https://victorianweb.org/history/empire/india/images/34b.jpg

27
 Interior design of St. John the Evangelist

SOURCE: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-
Discussion/MonthlyTopic-July-2020-Afghan-Church-Colaba-Mumbai/td-
p/2657492

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Stained glasses in Afghan Church

SOURCE: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-
id/1002448i37FF9BEAD589D7BE/image-size/large?v=v2&px=999

29
 Altar in St. John The Evangelist

SOURCE: https://www.inditales.com/afghan-church-at-colaba-mumbai/

30
 St. Thomas Cathedral

SOURCE: https://mumbaitourism.travel/st-thomas-cathedral-
mumbai#gallery0285da7f8f-5

Stained glasses in St. Thomas Cathedral

31
SOURCE: https://mumbaitourism.travel/st-thomas-cathedral-
mumbai#gallery0285da7f8f-6

Interior of St. Thomas Cathedral

SOURCE: https://www.mtdc.co.in/religiousplaces/st-thomas-cathedral-map/

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 Bowen Memorial Methodist Church

SOURCE: https://mumbai-
eyed.blogspot.com/2021/03/methodist-church.html

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