Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly and better known as Victoria Terminus Station, is an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India, blended with themes deriving from Indian traditional architecture. The building was designed by the British architect F. W. Stevens and became the symbol of Bombay as the ‘Gothic City’ and India’s major international mercantile port.
Building began in 1878 and took 10 years. With its High Victorian Gothic design based on late medieval Italian models, and its remarkable stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and eccentric ground plan reminding one of traditional Indian palace architecture, it stands as an outstanding amalgamation of two cultures and architectural styles. British architects worked with Indian craftsmen to include Indian architectural idioms thus forging a new style that became knowns as ‘Bombay Gothic’.
Today, as ever, it remains one of the busiest railway stations in India, servicing both intercity and suburban routes. Every day, thousands of passengers continue to pass through its grand ticket hall and historic arches.
