Victoria Garden was established as a botanical garden by the Agri Horticultural Society of Western India on Mount Estate, Byculla, on land donated by David Sassoon (1792-1864). In 1890, a zoo was added to the garden. In 1969, Victoria Garden was renamed Veermata Jijabai Bhonsle Udyan, though it is popularly known as Byculla Zoo or Mumbai Zoo.
Double portrait of the Prince and Princess of Wales. In the foreground is Alexandra of Denmark (1844–1925) and in the background is Albert Edward (1841–1910), who became Prince of Wales in 1841 and held the title till 1901. The French motto on top, Dieu et mon droit means God and my right, implying the (English) monarch has a God-given (divine) right to rule.
Corinthian order pillars with elaborate floral capitals decorated with acanthus leaves and scrolls, stand at the corners of the triple-arched gateway. The gateway was sponsored by Rustomjee Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy (1824-72) and designed by William Tracey, though the building was completed by Messrs. Scott, McClelland and Co. after Tracey's untimely death.
Though it is known that Seth Samaldas Narsidas pyaav was erected in 1903, it is not known where it was originally located before it was installed at Jijamata Udyan. The pyaav was in derelict condition before it was restored by the Heritage Cell of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The fountain was converted into a Koi Fish Pond on the site of an existing well.
Frere Temple is made from Porbandar stone. The circular rotunda is supported by six pillars of the Corinthian order, their capitals decorated with acanthus leaves and scrolls. However, unlike Corinthian pillars that are almost always fluted, the pillars at the Frere temple are not fluted.
The Frere Temple originally housed a bust of Lady Frere, which was defaced by vandals. The damaged bust was sent to England but was beyond repair. In its place, a bronze statuary sculpted by English sculptor Herbert Hampton (1862–1929) was installed. The statue is mistakenly identified as Queen Victoria, because of its location in (former) Victoria Gardens.
The octagonal bandstand inside Jijamata Udyan was commissioned in 1937. Its construction was funded by Seth Hargovandas Jeevandas and handed over to the Bombay Municipal Corporation for the use and benefit of the public. Marble busts of Seth Hargovandas Jeevandas and his wife Bai Harkorbai are installed at the entrance to the bandstand.
Installation of pyaavs to provide drinking water to humans and animals was an act of philanthropy made by prominent members of the various mercantile communities in Mumbai. There are four pyaavs installed inside Jijamata Udyan, which have been restored and are fully functional today, serving drinking water to visitors. Every pyaav, however, has its own indigenous water engineering and water dispensing method.
There are four pyaavs inside the Jijamata Bhonsle Udyan that have been restored and are fully functional, serving drinking water to visitors. Two pyaavs were erected in memory of Ardeshir Dadysett, one in memory of Seth Samaldas Narsidas, and the fourth in memory of Khimji Mulji Randeria.