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- Written by Anchal B Chaudhary
Gateway of India
Gateway of India is one of the most important and popular historical monuments of India. This magnificent monument was built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India.
Located on Apollo Bunder waterfront in South Mumbai, the Gateway of India was the first thing people saw once they hit the shores.
And what enhances the importance of this 85 feet tall monument in India’s history is the fact that this is from where the last British troops had exited the country after India gained independence.
Also, when Mahatma Gandhi, returned to India from South Africa to fight for our country’s independence and oust the Britishers, he arrived through this arch where he was welcomed warmly by the fellow countrymen who had heard a lot about him.
Today, Gateway of India is a popular tourist attraction. Located at the end of Chhatrapati Shivaji Marg, two statues of two famous Indian leaders, Swami Vivekananda and Chhatrapati Shivaji welcome one to the Gateway of India.
The area around Gateway of India is a popular picnic spot where people come to have a relaxing time with family and friends. One is approached by a no. of peddlers selling food, toys etc. Also, there are a no. of photographers moving around trying to coax people into getting clicked.
The Gateway of India has been attacked by terrorists a couple of times and also, the terrorists who had attacked Mumbai in 2008 had come via here.
The area around is very crowded and since the attack on Mumbai in November 2008, the security around has been tightened too.
One can also take a ferry ride from here to the world famous Elephanta Caves or the coastal town of Alibag known for its historic forts and fine beaches.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is one of the most architecturally beautiful railway stations in the world.
An important landmark in Mumbai, CST is Headquarters of the Central Railway System and forms the core of both the long distance and the local rail lines.
The architecture of CST represents a beautiful combination of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture and traditional Indian Mughal architecture.
CST has been a heritage building and a protected monument since long now, though this magnificent piece of architecture was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site only in July 2004.
Sadly, the beautiful detailed carvings are so high on the arches that those are not noticeable by tourists until guided.
CST was one of the target locations of the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2011.
Historical Background of CST
Today where stands this world famous building, once stood a storehouse where sacks of material to be imported or exported were kept giving the place the name ‘Bori Bunder’ (‘Bori’ in Hindi means sack and ‘bandar’ means port).
Later, The Great Indian Peninsula Railways initiated the railway line in India establishing Bori Bunder railway station here in early 17th century.
Further down the history, Bori bunder station was rebuilt using Victoria Gothic Revival architecture to honour the Jubilee Day of Queen Victoria. It took ten years for the building to complete.
Later on in 2004, the monument was renamed once again as CST, honouring the brave and famous Maratha leader, Chhatrapati Shivaji.
