The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as the Victoria Terminus Station in Mumbai, is a classic example of Victorian Gothic revival architecture in India, mixed with themes derived from Indian traditional architecture. British architect F.W. The building, designed by Stevens, became a symbol of Bombay as the ‘Gothic City’ and India’s major international trading port.
The terminal was built in 10 years, starting in 1878, according to a high Victorian Gothic design based on a late medieval Italian model. Its notable stone domes, bastions, pointed arches and quaint land plan are close to traditional Indian palace architecture. This is a classic example of a combination of two cultures, as British architects combined Indian architectural traditions and idioms with Indian craftsmen and thus created a new style for Bombay.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus | Brief Information
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus was established to mark the birth anniversary of Queen Victoria. She was also the then Queen of India. The uniqueness of this terminus lies in its Gothic cathedral style, its structural synchronization, and its morphological strategy. It exemplifies the blissful interrelation of Gothic, Saracenic, Venetian, and Indo-Islamic traditions. The best thing about Terminus is that it also attracts non-travelers. This building took about ten years to be built. Its construction started in the year 1878.
It was planned according to the design of the High Victorian Gothic which was an Italian model of the late medieval period. Its exceptionally pointed arches, stone domes, unconventional ground plans and bastions resemble the traditional architecture of Indian palaces. Terminus is a notable example of the merger of two cultures. British architects collaborated with Indian artisans to create a distinct architectural style for Mumbai (Bombay).
How to Get There
BY AIR
Mumbai Airport (19 kms) is the nearest airport.
BY RAIL
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is well connected to major railway stations of India such as Delhi, Vadodara, Ahmadabad, etc.
BY ROAD
There are auto rickshaws, buses, etc available from each corner of Mumbai.
Tag : Cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site
Built In : 1887
Year of Inscription : 2004
Reasons for Inscription : Criteria number (2) and (4). Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus puts on display an imperative exchange of influences, from Gothic Revival architecture of Italy, and from traditional Indian buildings. It is an exceptional example of railway architecture in the British Commonwealth in the 19th century.
Once known as ‘Victoria Terminus’, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is a heritage sight considered to be a landmark in the station architecture all around the globe. This terminus, designed by FW Stevens, is a lovely blend of western and eastern architecture at their best.
Category : Human activity, Transport and Trade
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Frequently Asked Questions About Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Q. What is the importance of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus?
A – This magnificent terminus serves as the headquarters of the Central Railway in India and is one of the busiest stations in the country. Until 1996, it was known as the Victoria Terminal, named in honor of Queen Victoria.
Q. What is the old name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus?
A – The Terminus, formerly known as the Victoria Terminus Station in Mumbai, is a classic example of Victorian Gothic revival architecture in India, mixed with themes derived from Indian traditional architecture.
Q. Are VT and CST the same?
A – Both the initials “VT” and the current, “CST”, are also commonly used. The terminus is the headquarters of the Central Railway of India. It is one of the busiest railway stations in India, which serves as a terminal for both long distance and suburban trains.
Q. What is Victoria Terminus made of?
A – The entrance to the the Terminus has two pillars, crowned – one with a lion (representing Great Britain) and the other a tiger (representing India). The main structure is made of sandstone and limestone, and the interiors of the station are decorated with premium quality Italian marble.
Q. When and why was Mumbai’s main railway station Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus built?
A – The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai, formerly Victoria Terminus, was designed by the British architect Frederick William Stevens and was built between 1878 and 1888 to house the Great Indian Peninsular Railway, the principal terminus and headquarters of today’s Central Railway.
Q. When was Victoria Terminus renamed?
A – In March 1996, the grand headquarters of Central Railway in Mumbai was renamed from Victoria Terminus to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. The colonial name, it was decided, was to be known and in its place came Maratha Nayaks.
Q. How was Victoria Terminus Named?
A – The British-era landmark initially got its name Victoria Terminus after Queen Victoria to commemorate her Golden Jubilee. It was named after the Maratha warrior king in the year 1996, now it will be known as “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai”.
