Top 10 Amazing Facts about The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

Chhatrapati_Shivaji_Terminus_48 photo by Yagyaansh —Wikimedia

Top 10 Amazing Facts about The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus 

The Chhatrapati Shivaji terminus is the busiest Mumbai railway station. Its located in the fort, Mumbai, and was originally referred to as the Victorian terminus it’s.an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic revival architecture India blended with themes deriving from Indian traditional architecture.

The terminus was built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s rule. In 2004, UNESCO named the architecture a world heritage site.

The sandstone and limestone building is c shaped, with two wings extending from the central dome structure, a classic example of an Indian palace.

Here are ten amazing facts about The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

1. A young architect from Italy designed the terminus

The terminus was designed by an Italian Architect F.W Stevens, who worked as an architectural engineer for the British colonial government in India.

The beauty portrayed by the terminus is an example of Victorian Gothic revival architecture in India.

The structure represents the heart of the commercial facet of the city, also signifying the British commonwealth.

Stevens received various honors, he was made a companion of the order of the Indian empire for the contribution he made to a public building in India.

He also achieved other medals for the designs in exhibitions held in Bombay in 1872 and 1879.

2. It took ten years to complete the terminus

The terminal was built over ten years, starting in the year 1878, it was originally referred to as ‘Bori Bandar’. The station was located in eastern Mumbai, which was the main station for all commercial and trade services.

The great Indian peninsular railway functioned in this area, in the 1850s which allocated it with the name ‘Bori Bandar’. It started with its first rail service covering a distance of 34 kilometers to thane.

During the British rule, it was renovated by F.W Stevens, who named it the Victorian terminus, in honor of the reigning

3. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus has an excellent heritage gallery

Chhatrapati_Shivaji_Terminus_Building_22 photo by Pinakpani —Wikimedia

The heritage gallery of the terminus was most likely developed after the central railway, the gallery has stood on the ground floor since 2010, consisting of clones of the original design by F.W Stevens, as well as photographs and designs from the architecture detailing the growth of the railways in India.

It has a winding staircase with a majestic view of a dome from the inside, as well as a stained glass reflecting the light cascading on the ancient stone. There is intricate carving on the pillars portraying a variety of animals.

The museum section has a miniature model of the trains as well as the structures of the terminal.

It unfolds a history of the terminal and how it evolved from the steam engine to diesel and finally electricity. There are also old photos, advertisements, tickets, and flyers unfolding the history of the ancient terminal.

4. The station was renamed from Victorian terminus to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

in the year 1996 march the name allocated to the terminus as Victorian was eliminated and replaced with the name Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

The terminus was renamed after Shivaji, the 17^th-century warrior king who bravely used guerrilla tactics against the Mughal empire., founding a new state in the western Marathi-speaking regions of the Deccan plateau.

In 2007 the terminus was renamed for a second time to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajah Terminus where the Maharaj has a literal meaning great king.

5. The terminal has a statue of progress

Outer_view_of_the_central_dome_of_Chhatrapati_Shivaji_Maharaj_Terminus Photo by Shailee Mehendale —Wikimedia

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus has a central dome that carries a large 16.5 structure of a lady having a flaming torch upward in her right hand and on her left hand a wheel symbolizing progress hence the name statue of progress.

The entrance gate to the terminal has other figures such as a lion symbolizing great Britain and a tiger representing India. Other exterior statues represent engineering, commerce, agriculture, and science.

6. The terminus has high and ornamented ceilings

The interior of the vaulted ceiling features points to Gothic arches and is supported by columns of Italian marble.

The ornament ceilings give the significant structure the look of a cathedral, the ceilings were known to have been kept high to give a sense of space even when there is heavy traffic.

The dark wood comprising the ceiling ribs next to a white panel covered star creates a remarkable visual that emphasizes the height of the room

7. The terminus is the busiest train terminus in Asia

Chhatrapati_Shivaji_Terminus_photo by Francesco Bandarin —Wikimedia

 The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj terminus roughly handles 3 million passengers commuting daily basis. The exponential rise of traffic has placed the terminus in difficulties in terms of maintenance and upkeep.

8. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj terminus has undergone several modifications

The terminus started with 6 platforms when it was inducted in 1887, due to the increasing population the demand for a bigger platform of transportation arouse. The heavy traffic over the years forced the terminus to under several modifications in the structure.

In 1929 additional platforms were added to lodge trains coming from other cities. The new buildings erected in 1929 included refreshment rooms dressing rooms and bathrooms.

The former station was reserved for suburban traffic. The new wing consisted of 13 platforms, the last five were reserved for trains through various parts of India. Over the years that followed, more additions and renovations were carried out to the original building.

9. The terminus has an architectural style of two different cultures intertwining

The terminus style of building is a sight wonder with its grand structures. It serves as a major terminus for suburban trains as well as long-distance trains.

The two trains are separated into old platforms extending to the heritage site, while the new platforms are connected down the train.

The terminus was designed in Victorian Italian Gothic style adapted to suit the Indian environment.

The skylines, arches, turrets, and eccentric ground design resemble that of the architecture of Indian palaces.

The terminus also has a booking office referred to as a star chamber and was built with the best Italian marble and Indian blue stones.

 10. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus was attacked by terrorist

In November 2008, the passenger hall of the terminus was visited by two terrorists armed with guns, the two opened fire killing 58 people and injuring 104 others. One of the terrorists was later arrested and sentenced to death for his role in the malicious attack.