A Victorian railway palace in Mumbai that survived terror to become a global icon.

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Designed to showcase British engineering in colonial India, this UNESCO World Heritage site blends Gothic Revival architecture with Indian palace influences. Beyond its ornate stone arches and ribbed dome, the station serves as a vital transit hub, a cinematic backdrop, and a resilient symbol of Mumbai's enduring spirit.

Construction of the station began in 1878 to replace the Bori Bunder railway station, serving as the headquarters for the Great Indian Peninsular Railway. Architect Frederick William Stevens, guided by a sketch from Axel Haig, spent ten years completing the project—the longest duration for any building in Mumbai at that time. Completed in 1887 to coincide with Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, the structure features an exuberant Indo-Gothic style, incorporating Romanesque elements and classical Indian palace architecture. Its central octagonal ribbed dome, built without traditional centring, was a notable engineering feat of the 19th century.

The building is a masterpiece of ornamentation, featuring stone arches covered in carved foliage, grotesques, and allegorical statues representing Commerce, Agriculture, Engineering, and Science. Students from the Sir J. J. School of Art, under John Lockwood Kipling, crafted the wood carvings, grills, and balustrades. The interior Star Chamber, still used as a suburban booking office, showcases Italian marble and polished Indian blue stone. While the station was originally named Victoria Terminus, it was renamed in 1996 to honor Shivaji, the 17th-century founder of the Maratha Empire, and again in 2017 to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.

The station’s history is also marked by tragedy. On 26 November 2008, it became a target during a coordinated series of attacks in Mumbai. Two terrorists armed with AK-47s entered the passenger hall at 21:30, killing 58 people and injuring 104. The assault lasted until 22:45, when the gunmen exited toward Cama Hospital. Despite the violence, quick thinking by a railway announcer saved many lives. Today, the station remains one of India’s busiest, managing 18 platforms for both suburban and long-distance travel, and continues to stand as a landmark of the city’s complex, layered identity.

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