Dhobitalao
| Dhobitalao | |
|---|---|
| neighbourhood | |
|  Parsi Hospital at Dhobitalao | |
|   Dhobitalao | |
| Coordinates: 18°56′36″N 72°49′43″E / 18.9433°N 72.8286°E | |
| Country | India | 
| State | Maharashtra | 
| District | Mumbai City | 
| Metro | Mumbai | 
| Zone | 1 | 
| Ward | A and C | 
| Government | |
| • Body | MCGM | 
| Elevation | 11 m (36 ft) | 
| Languages | |
| • Official | Marathi | 
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) | 
| PIN | 400 002 | 
| Lok Sabha constituency | Mumbai South | 
| Vidhan Sabha constituency | Colaba | 
| Civic agency | MCGM | 
Dhobitalao ("Washerman's Lake") is a neighborhood in the city of Mumbai (formerly Bombay), in India. Located in the South Mumbai area at an elevation of 11 m (31 ft), it used to be a location where linen was washed. In British times, dhobis used to wash the British soldiers clothes here. It was filled up in the mid-17th century, as the city began to expand. The lake used to be fed by a number of underground freshwater springs, which were recently uncovered while constructing the subway in the locality.
A public library stands over the land that was the lake. Just off the current site, is the famous Metro Adlabs (formerly Metro Cinema).

The north-eastern part of Dhobitalao is called Cavel, from the Koli name Kolwar. The Kolis of this village were converted to Christianity by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Cavel became a Christian enclave, and later immigrants of this religion, from Goa, Daman, Bassein, and Salsette settled here. Other Christian enclaves in Dhobitalao are Sonapur and Dabul.[1]
Dhobitalao is home to the highest number of kudds, Goan clubs that house migrants from Goan villages seeks opportunities and employment in Mumbai.[2]
Institutions
- Metro Adlabs
- St Xavier's College
- St. Xavier's High School, Fort
- GT Hospital
- ESIS Hospital
References
- ^ "A tale of three villages". Mid-day. 16 December 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2022.
- ^ "A story of love, longing and jazz in 1960s Bombay". Quartz. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2022.