Archive · 25 Oct 2025
Man Maintains Mumbai's 146-Year-Old Clock Tower for a Decade
Imagine a very old clock tower in Mumbai, India, that's like a giant, beautiful watch.
This tower, called the Rajabai Clock Tower, is over 140 years old and still chimes every 15 minutes!
Instead of using electricity, it's powered by heavy weights.
A man named Mahendra Prasad Gupta goes to the tower every day, climbing 236 steps.
He winds the clock, which is like giving it a boost of energy, so the clock keeps ticking and chiming.
This clock tower is so special, it's recognized by UNESCO.
It's a reminder of the past, even as Mumbai keeps moving fast into the future.
Mahendra Prasad Gupta has maintained the Rajabai Clock Tower for over ten years.
The clock tower was built in 1878 and designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott.
Gupta climbs 236 steps daily to wind and maintain the clock.
The clock tower is part of Mumbai's UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The clock tower runs without electricity, powered by weights and human effort.
- Who
- Mahendra Prasad Gupta, an electrician
- What
- Maintains the Rajabai Clock Tower by climbing steps and manually winding it.
- When
- For over a decade
- Where
- Mumbai, India, at the Rajabai Clock Tower
- Why
- To keep the clock running and preserve the city's heritage.
- Location
- Mumbai, India
- Structure
- Rajabai Clock Tower
- Built
- 1878
- Architect
- Sir George Gilbert Scott
- Height
- 280 feet
- Maintenance Person
- Mahendra Prasad Gupta
- UNESCO Recognition
- World Heritage Site since 2018