James Berkley Gold Medal (University of Mumbai)

Berkley, James John (1819–1862), Civil Engineer, was born at Holloway on 21 Oct. 1819. He

was educated at King's College, London. Berkley was appointed chief resident engineer of the

Great Indian Peninsula Railway, and in this capacity he constructed the first line of railway that

was opened in India. On 16 April 1863 the first twenty miles of the line from Mumbai to Thana

was opened for public traffic, thus initiating the Indian railway system. He was strongly in

favour of the employment of native agency. This gained him great popularity with the natives of

Mumbai. He took an active part in the scientific and other useful institutions of Mumbai, and

evinced always an especial interest in the Mechanics' Institute, where a ' Berkley gold medal '

was founded in his name. In 1855 he became a magistrate; in 1857 a commissioner of the

Mumbai Municipal Board, and in 1858 a member of the Senate of Mumbai University. On 18th

June 1869 Mr. R. M. Brereton, Chief Engineer, G. I. P. Railway, and others offered the sum

of Rs. 8,000 for the purpose of founding a James Berkley Gold Medal in the name of late Mr.

James J. Berkley. An amount of Rs. 250 (at that time), was proposed to be given annually, and a

Prize of Books of a scientific nature to accompany the Medal. Berkley Gold Medal is offered

every year for the students of Civil and Mechanical Engineering. (Compiled by Dr. G S Kame)

Mr. Momin Afroz Ali (2015)

M.H.Saboo Siddik College of Engineering

Mr. Momin Afroz Ali won the prestigious James Berkley Gold Medal, awarded by the University of Mumbai, for securing highest number of marks at B. E. (Civil) degree examination held in May, 2015.

India's most celebrated civil engineer, Bharat Ratna Sir Dr. Mokshagundam

Visvesvaraya was also a recipient of this medal in the year 1883.

Khan Mujiburrehman (2009)

M.H.Saboo Siddik College of Engineering

Khan Mujiburrehman also received, The James Berkley Gold Medal for securing highest marks in BE (Civil) degree exam held in May, 2009. Latter he was admitted in I I T Bombay.