Heritage Buildings of Mumbai - A Rich Glorious Past

Mumbai has a rich artistic and architectural heritageFrench style and has an air of sanctity about it. It was
which is reflected in the various stately buildings thatfunded by Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Readymoney.
are spread across the city. The city has had theBombay Municipal Corporation: The foundation stone
privilege of being artistically molded by various rulersof Bombay Municipal Corporation was laid on
over the centuries. Each of them has left a distinctDecember9, 1884 by the Viceroy, Lord Ripon. The
mark of their own in terms of architecture.Gothic structure was designed by F W Stevens and it
These buildings are the rich heritage of the formerwas completed in 1893.
Bombay to the present Mumbai. There are lots ofThe beautiful building has a 255 feet tall tower, has a
visitors who come to visit the city to study thesehuge office complex and stands at the apex of two
amazing masterpieces of architectures and theirroads opposite the Terminus. The winged figure
distinctive styles.crowning the central gable is the Urbs Prima in Indis, a
Some of the most visited heritage buildings in the cityrepresentation of the most significant city of the
include:country.
Prince of Wales Museum: The Prince of WalesChhatrapati Shivaji Terminus: This site is popularly
museum was set up in 1905 to commemorate the visitknown as Bori Bunder and was also called the Victoria
of the Prince of Wales. Some prominent citizens cameTerminus. It was the new terminus for the Great Indian
out with this idea and on March 1, 1907, thePeninsula Railways and was the largest and most
Government of Bombay allocated a spot of landextensive architectural work in the country in that
known as the Crescent Site to the museumperiod. This magnificent building was built in 1888 and
committee.represents the Italian Gothic style. It is the terminating
The museum is located near the Bombay Yacht Club.point and starting point for the Central Railway trains
It is built in blue basalt and yellow sandstone brought innow.
from Kurla and has a vast concrete tiled dome. TheHotel Taj Mahal Palace: This hotel was built by
museum was designed by George Wittet and theJamshedji Nusserwanji Tata in 1903 and symbolizes
foundation stone was laid by the Prince of Wales whothe inherent Indian hospitality and warmth. It is located
was to later become King George V.adjacent to the Bombay Yacht Club and faces the
It was completed in 1914 and houses many rareArabian Sea giving it a more beautiful and soothing
artifacts. During the World War I it was converted intolook. The hotel was designed by W Chambers and
a hospital and was reopened in 1923 by Lady Lloyd,was considered to be one of the most significant
the wife of Sir George Lloyd, the then Governor ofplaces in the British Empire.
Bombay.It suffered a mighty blow at the hands of anti-social
University Hall & Library with Rajabai Tower: Theelements a few years back but it has now been
Rajabai Clock Tower is one of the most outstandingrenovated and opened for public again in all its glory
landmarks of the city. It was built by Seth Premchandand splendor.
Raichand in fond memory of his mother, Rajabai. HeGateway of India: The other name for the Gateway
was a famous banker and merchant of the 19thof India is the Apollo Pier. It was built in the memory of
century.King George V and Queen Mary and was to
The tower was designed by Sir Gilbert Scot and is acorrespond with their visit to India in December 1911.
mix of Gothic and early ornamental French Style. TheThe grand arch was designed by George Wittet who
tower consists of 5 elaborately decorated storieswas the consulting architect for the city. This was the
which rise to a height of 280 feet. The top of thelast great buildings of the British Rule in India. The
cupola is ornamented with 16 statues that depict theGateway of India was intended as a triumphal arch to
various Indian castes.honor the visit of King George V and Queen Mary
The University Hall is designed in the early 15th centuryenroute to the Delhi Durbar.