Speciality:
"The Asiatic Society of Mumbai traces its origins to the Literary Society of Bombay and was founded by Sir James Mackintosh. The library holds over 100,000 books, including 15,000 rare and valuable volumes, such as first editions of antiquarian works in both Indian and European languages. It served as the home of Bharat Ratna Dr. P.V. Kane for fifty years, during which he authored his renowned History of Dharmasastra. Located at the top of the grand steps of Mumbai's Town Hall, the Asiatic Society is a treasure trove of rare books, ancient manuscripts, coins, maps, and more. Its multilingual collection includes texts in Sanskrit, Greek, Latin, Italian, German, French, and English. Notable items in the collection include a manuscript of Dante's Divine Comedy, a 16th-century Sanskrit manuscript of the Mahabharata, and Sopara relics believed to contain fragments of the Buddha's begging bowl.
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2026 Update: The Asiatic Society of Mumbai welcomes membership from all adults who show a sustained interest in the aims and objectives of the Society. Their Society employs 33 staff members, including technically qualified professionals, all of whom work with dedication to ensure the smooth operation of its activities. While the majority of the books are in English, the collection also includes works in Sanskrit and other ancient and modern Indian languages, as well as European languages such as Greek, Latin, Italian, German, and French."
