Declared
as the world heritage site in 2004, Chhatrapati
Shivaji Terminus of Mumbai was formerly known as
Victoria Terminus. Its unique architecture attracts
the attention of the tourists. It presents a
harmonious blend of Victorian Gothic Revival
architecture with traditional Indian architecture.
Designed by the British architect, this terminal
took ten years to complete. Started in 1878, it is
based on late medieval Italian models, though its
stone dome, eccebtric ground plan, turrets and
pointed arches are undoubtedly inspired by Indian
palatial architectural style. British architects
worked along with master and skilled Indian
craftsmen to achieve this unique impression.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus of Bombay (the old name
of Mumbai) has become an icon of the Victorian
Italianate Gothic Revival architecture in India that
has been modified to suite the regional tastes by
combining the Indian architectural elements. The
19th century railway station presented a daunting
impression of Mumbai being a major mercantile port
city on the Indian Subcontinent during that period,
as much as it does today. The building presents
quite advanced structural and technical solutions
for such architectural structures and represents the
royalty of medieval India. It is a befitting
monument to welcome the tourist who comes to visit
Mumbai as a seat of Bollywood, Indian film industry,
with its dramatic look and as a land that is known
to churn dreams into reality.
