Location
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001
History
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus was built in 1887 to commemorate the Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee (it was originally named Victoria Terminus in her honour). Designed by British architect Frederick William Stevens, the building blends elements of Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival and classic Indian architecture. In 2004, UNESCO named the terminus a World Heritage Site. Today, over 3 million people a day embark at CSMT to travel to points throughout India. In this Expedition, we’ll examine the building’s key architectural elements.It took over 10 years to build. With a cost of over 250,000 pounds sterling, it was the city’s most expensive building when it was erected. The sandstone and limestone building is C-shaped — two wings extend out from a central domed structure. This form is borrowed from Indian palace architecture, while the towers and spires recall European castles and cathedrals.
Architectural view
Several stone domes — an architectural element featured in Indian palaces — rise above the roofline. The largest and highest dome is centrally located above the middle section of the building, just above the clock.The castle-like towers at each corner of the building are common Victorian Italianate Gothic architectural features. The finials on top of each tower and smaller surrounding spires are also typical elements of this style.The pointed arch is an architectural element regularly used in both Gothic and traditional Indian palace architecture.Ten carved stone medallions are featured on the front wall. The bas-relief sculptures depict men either associated with establishing India’s first railway system or with designing and building the terminus itself.
Interior
Inside the terminus, the blending of Victorian Italianate Gothic and traditional Indian palace architecture continues. The floors and walls are covered with Indian stone and Italian marble. Intricately carved stone accents reflecting Indian motifs can be seen in trim work and around the edge of the central dome. The main booking office, known as the Star Chamber, is located on the ground floor in the north wing. The concourse, where passengers board their trains, is vast and open.The interior’s ribbed vaulted ceiling features pointed Gothic arches and is supported by columns of Italian marble. The dark wood of the ceiling’s ribs next to the star-covered white panels creates a striking visual that emphasizes the height of the room.Columns of polished red and grey Italian marble support the arches of the vaulted ceiling. Each column features a base and capital of intricately carved Indian stone.Stained glass windows featuring colourful Indian motifs are used throughout the building. These windows add beauty to the space while illuminating the interior with diffused sunlight.
Exterior
The station’s tallest statue stands on top of the central dome. Carved from marble by Thomas Earp, it depicts a woman holding a torch symbolizing knowledge and a spoke wheel representing forward progress and transport.Statues of a lion and tiger flank the entrance gate. The lion symbolizes Britain, while the tiger represents India, further emphasizing a merging of the two cultures during the mid- to late-19th century.At night, the entire structure is illuminated with the three colours India’s national flag. Saffron yellow symbolizes strength and courage, white symbolizes truth and peace, India green represents growth and fertility.