Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, commonly known as CSMT, is one of India's most architecturally significant railway stations.

Located in the heart of Mumbai, the terminus serves both suburban railway passengers and long-distance trains and is the headquarters of Central Railway.

The building was originally known as Victoria Terminus. Its construction was completed in 1887, during a period when Mumbai—then Bombay—was developing into one of the most important commercial cities in the British Empire.

Its architecture is extraordinary for a railway station. UNESCO describes CSMT as an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture blended with traditional Indian architectural themes.

The structure includes an imposing central dome, stone carvings, turrets, pointed arches, decorative tiles, marble, stained glass and numerous sculptural details.

The building's design demonstrates the collaboration between British architectural ideas and the craftsmanship of Indian builders and artisans.

Because of this exceptional architectural and historical importance, the terminus was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004.

CSMT remains an active railway station rather than simply a historical monument. The terminus contains 18 platforms, divided between Mumbai suburban services and long-distance operations.

This combination of working railway infrastructure and world-class heritage architecture makes CSMT unusual. Millions of passengers continue to use a building that is simultaneously one of India's most important examples of nineteenth-century architecture.

For railway enthusiasts, architecture lovers and visitors to Mumbai, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus represents one of the most remarkable stations in the Indian Railways network.