A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus marks the apogee of the unique Bombay Gothic style of building, which combined High Victorian and European Gothic design with elements from traditional Indian architecture in the late 19th century A.D.
A symbol of Power and Progress
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, formerly Victoria Terminus, in Mumbai, was designed by British architect Frederick William Stevens and constructed between 1878 and 1888 A.D. to house the principal terminus and headquarters of the Great Indian Peninsular Railway, today’s Central Railway. From the mid-19th century onward, the railway was instrumental in connecting Bombay, now Mumbai, to the vast expanse of mainland India, thereby ensuring its spectacular growth into a powerful commercial centre and gateway - the 'Urbs Prima in Indus' or First City of India. In its scale and design, the terminus building was intended to commemorate, and communicate, this legacy.
Bombay V.T. (now Mumbai CST)Heritage Directorate, Indian Railways
Stevens' masterpiece was inspired by the best of contemporary Victorian Gothic design, including London's St. Pancras Railway Station, designed by Sir. George Gilbert Scott and completed in 1874 A.D.
A Meeting of East and West
But, look closer. In the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Stevens combined Victorian and European - especially Italian - Gothic features with elements from traditional Indian architecture, adapting his design to suit the local climate and aesthetic. With deep verandahs for ventilation, a blend of polychrome masonry and elaborate sculptural ornamentation executed by local builders and craftsmen using familiar materials, Steven's masterpiece embodied, and celebrated, the unique Bombay Gothic style of architecture, which defined the city's urban form and declared its rise in the late 19th century A.D.
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Today, the iconic structure is widely considered symbolic of the city of Mumbai itself. Take a virtual tour to zoom in to the extensive and intricate sculptural detail on its front facade.
Star Chamber
The northern wing of the terminus building, which leads to the railway platforms, is open to public. A carriage porch provides access to an elaborate groin vaulted entrance hallway which serves as the booking office. Referred to as the Star Chamber, this is a stunning polychromatic space rich in decorative detail.
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Take a virtual tour and get up close to the exquisite decorative details in the Star Chamber.
Italian marblesChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
The space is dominated by an exquisite groin vaulted ceiling. Originally, the ceiling's wooden ribs were highlighted in bold red, blue and gold, with the gilt stars embedded in an azure background.
Heavy column clusters of red and grey Italian marble organise the hall into sections, and support the arches and ribs of the groin vaulted ceiling.
The Star ChamberChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
Dense with foliage and grotesque animal forms, the capitals on the columns in the booking office were carved in situ from single pieces of white sandstone, on the architect's instructions.
Ornate wrought iron railings, with polished teakwood handrails, run along the open galleries overlooking the star chamber, crafted by students of the J.J School of Art.
The Main Entrance
Beyond the west facing entrance gate, a circular driveway leads to an elegant porte-cochere or covered porch. Rich in sculptural ornamentation, with coloured glasswork and polychrome masonry including column clusters of Italian marble, the porch offers a stunning introduction to the building's interior.
Italian granites at porch areaChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
The densely foliated capitals are teeming with indigenous animal and plant forms, carved in a naturalistic style.
A view from inside outChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
The central hall under the dome is accessed through a lavish entrance way with carved wooden doors, intricate wrought iron grill-work, and deep, sculpted stone arches supported on polychrome columns.
The Grand Central Staircase
From the main hall, the building's principal staircase ascends to its upper levels and the offices of the Central Railway, once the GIPR, and to the base of the dome. Cantilevered from the walls, i.e without supports on its outer edge, the staircase is masterfully constructed using large stone slabs, each 8.5 ft in width.
The coat of arms at the entranceChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
At the foot of the staircase, a sculpted lion bears a shield with the coat of arms of the Great Indian Peninsular Railway.
The view of the first and the second floorChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
The staircase skirts along the walls of the open well leading all the way up to the dome. At every level, Gothic style arches open on to corridors leading to the office spaces beyond.
The second floorChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
As you ascend, the structure is lit, and also lightened, by light streaming in through elaborate, Gothic style, windows. Small rose windows surmount single or double openings with pointed arches.
Jali patternChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
At a lower level, ornate jaali windows carved in stone allow ventilation whilst diffusing the harsh glare of the sun.
Stain glasses at center domeChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
The elaborate, intricately carved cornices, mouldings, jaalis and arches that decorate the interior wall surfaces were executed according to detailed drawings made by Stevens himself.
Jali pattern on the side wallChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
In fact, the architect was responsible for every element of the building's elaborate decorative scheme - including the handsome wrought iron railing on the principal staircase.
These stain glassesChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
The octagonal drum of the main dome is pierced by eight sets of stained glass windows, the designs for which were specially commissioned for the terminus building, crafted and shipped from England.
A closer look reveals fascinating details such as an elephant with a ruby glass howdah and a steam engine puffing steam from its funnel - symbols of the GIPR and the past and future of India.
In the centre, a shield is surrounded by a medallion with the words Great Indian Peninsular Railway 1849, and the motto Arte non ense or 'by art (skill), not by the sword'.
The centre domeChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
The majestic central dome has a span of approx. 40 ft. and is punctuated by eight prominent ribs rising from each corner of the octagonal drum.
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Take a virtual tour to explore the majesty of the central dome.
The principal facade
The building's principal facade was sited facing due west to benefit from the westerly sea breeze. Deep verandahs and arcades line the building's outer edges, protecting the interior spaces both from the glare of the sun and the heavy monsoon rain.
Original flooring of the Star ChamberChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
The depth of the verandahs and arcades result in alternating spaces of light and shade, which add another layer of complexity and interest to the building.
