Formerly known as the Victoria Terminus Station, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai is an outstanding representation of the Victorian Gothic Revival Architecture in India. The blending with the traditional Indian architecture is something that shows cases the spread of British Empire and its ability to adapt to local traditions...
Formerly known as the Victoria Terminus Station, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai is an outstanding representation of the Victorian Gothic Revival Architecture in India. The blending with the traditional Indian architecture is something that shows cases the spread of British Empire and its ability to adapt to local traditions. The terminus became the symbol of Bombay (present day Mumbai) and was one of the most important port cities in the Indian subcontinent.
The building was designed by a British architect known as F. W. Stevens. It was built over a period of 10 years from 1978 with the High Victorian Gothic Design that was based on the medieval Italy models. It features a remarkable stone dome, eccentric ground plan, pointed arches and turrets that characterize the meeting of 2 cultures. The British architects and Indian craftsmen worked together and forged a new architectural design that was unique to Bombay.
The site on which the property was developed on is associated with the origins of Mumbai as a city. The island of Bombay was an outpost of the Hindu in Western India. It was not used for trade until the Portuguese passed over to the British by the Portuguese in 1661. The East India Company became responsible for the commercial development of the island and soon enough, merchants and ship builders started settling here.
A number of ancillary buildings have been developed over time including the new station of 1929 that was built to handle the mainline traffic. The original building is still used for suburban traffic with over 3 million commuters daily. It also houses the administrative headquarters of the Central Railway.
As much as this historical building should be in your itinerary, be ready to mingle with a sea of people. Amongst these people, there are hundreds of pickpockets that even the CCTV that had been installed in the station cannot capture. Whenever travelling or sightseeing in the station, make sure your valuables are safely tucked away. Do not risk your high-end camera, smartphone or cash by walking around like a tourist. Beware of the fake tour guides and make sure you only carry the necessary items. Other than the pickpockets, you will have a great time exploring the terminus.