Heritage Buildings

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Mumbai (formerly called Bombay) emerged as a trading hub for the British in the 19th century. They began constructing Victorian Gothic buildings as symbols of its soaring economic power, with the help of the affluent mercantile community, namely the Parsis. Most structures that are synonymous with Mumbai's Colonial heritage were built in the 19th and 20th centuries. Under the governorship of Henry Bartle Frere (1862-87) and his team of notable British architects, prominent structures like the Afghan Church (1865), Rajabai Tower (1878), Victoria Terminus (1888) and the BMC building (1893) were built. They wanted to make Mumbai the Urbs Prima in Indis ( India’s first city).

The epitome of Mumbai’s Gothic cityscape, Victoria Terminus, rechristened Chhatrapat Shivaji Terminus, (CST) was a labour of love that took 10 years to complete. It was named in honour of the reigning British monarch Queen Victoria. Inspired by London’s St. Pancras Station, architect F.W.Stevens fused Indian and Western styles with a spectacular stone dome topped by the figurine of ‘Progress’ turrets, pointed arches, Greek columns and minarets to create Mumbai’s finest World heritage building. The station is richly decorated with wood carvings, tiles, ornamental railings, illustrative panels and sculptures designed by Indian artists. The structure was a fitting tribute to the stature of the British Raj.

The building is also noted for its advanced railway architecture. The station accommodates a population of commuters and staff that has increased many times since it was constructed more than a hundred years ago.By the 20th century, there emerged an architectural style that was distinctively Indian, known as the Indo-Saracenic style. Architects like George Wittet incorporated Indian architectural elements like domes and minarets into the design of the Prince of Wales Museum (1914) and the Gateway of India (1924).

Named after the man who laid its foundation stone, the Prince of Wales museum is a splendid synthesis of Islamic arches, cupolas and lattic work with Rajput Style jharokas. Its white tiled dome stands in beautiful contrast to the basalt structure which houses an outstanding treasury of Indian culture.



No monument exemplifies Mumbai better than the majestic Gateway of India. An architectural gem, the Gateway stands tall at 26metres. Made of yellow basalt and reinforced concrete, the Gateway was built to commemorate the 1911 visit of King George V and Queen Mary. It was one of the last triumphal imperial buildings built in Mumbai. Its design is reminiscent of Gujarati architecture with ornate latticework.

The whole harbor had to be realigned to accommodate the Gateway. But its funding of Rs.21 Lakhs was too little to build an approach road to it.

Mumbai’s heritage is not the contribution of the British alone. Before they arrived, the Portuguese had built military forts on the island, the remnants of which are visible.In 1995, the Indian government granted heritage status to 574 buildings, 14 milestones and 18 precincts and some open spaces in Mumbai to ensure their protection. They were further categorized into three grades according to their architectural, historical and cultural importance. Grade I structures are the most important. They include buildings like the Taj.In 1903, a grand luxury hotel opened its doors to the public at the harbor front in Mumbai. It was the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel designed by Indian architects Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya and D.N. Mirza. The Hotel was commissioned by Sir Jamshedji Tata, a pioneering industrialist. Legend has it that he was refused entry to a high brow ‘ Whites Only’ hotel and he vowed to build a luxury hotel where Indians and Europeans could mingle freely.

A magnificent edifice combining Moorish, Oriental and Florentine styles, its towering dome is built of the same steel that was used to built the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Built at a cost of £ 250,000, this hotel was the first in India to install and operate a steam elevator. Since its inception, the Taj’s guest list has included kings, heads of states, CEPs and other prominent personalities. The Taj stands today, as an iconic symbol of Mumbai’s cosmopolitan character and economic prosperity.