With Bharucha Mansion (also known as Regal Building) Jamshedpur finally got a building which looked like what the owners wished to gift the citizens, a landmark. It is also remembered as used ‘I’ beams of steel rather than the relatively newer method of using reinforced concrete (RCC) for the columns and beams.
Bharucha Mansion today stands like a colossus welcoming those entering Bistupur from Northern Town. Bharucha Mansion is named after Khorshed Maneckji Bharucha, the first Indian Chief Cashier at Tata Steel, who had a vision to provide accommodation for young Parsees who came for jobs in the company.
Tata Steel (then TISCO) provided the steel to erect Howrah Bridge. The remaining was used for Barucha Mansion. This building is mostly now known as Regal Mansion since it also housed the famous Regal Talkies.
In the early 1930s Khorshed Maneckji Bharucha got permission to build an 11 storey structure. It was of a unique polygonal architecture and design. TISCO had left over girders and beams from the Howrah Bridge which were offered to the employees. Under the leadership of architects A. Dinshaw, a Parsi, and C.C. Bayigle, a British, the building was constructed. It took three years to complete.The mansion was built in 1935.
The structure was made of steel and clad with bricks and the partition walls were created with “Surki” – limestone and brick mix, quite similar to the design of the General Office.
It was needed courage to build such a huge structure in 1930s which was then a lonely area where only the Bank of India, Burmah Shell petrol pump and Tiwary Bechar stood. The general manager of TISCO inquired whether he would like to change his mind and build instead in the ‘occupied’ part which was probably what the Circuit House area (old) is now. The determined Khorshed stuck to his decision and left behind an inspiring landmark for the city.
Today, Bharucha Mansion stands like a colossus welcoming those entering Bistupur from Northern Town. This brave, adventurous man took a gamble, and won.
He left an edifice to inspire the citizens of our city to dream and create, boldly risk and be rewarded.
Adil Gazder, grandson of Khorshed Maneckji Bharucha said that a sense of pride erupts when they see the building. It is still considered to the most iconic construction in the city. They have preserved its rich heritage.