MUMबई Series Ep1: The British in Mumbai
So where should I begin from. Mumbai is just like a balanced diet, it has all sorts of places, be like religious, ancient, technological, or fun. All these things make Mumbai an extraordinary place.
British ruled India for over 200 years though they took most of the wealth, but they left some of their amazing remnants which are the spirit of Mumbai and make it more alluring.
Let us start from the most famous and one of the most crowded places in Mumbai, Gateway of India. This 85ft tall magnificent structure stands proudly in South Mumbai facing its back to the roaring seas. The Islamic architecture will isolate you from the crowd and allow you to enhance its beauty. While you are moving around do not forget to have those roasted peanuts which are blanketed in unusual paper crafting. There might photographers who could hand you a perfect family souvenir for Gateway of India and make it a memorable stop.
Now let me take you to a most important place in Mumbai. Surprisingly , it’s a train station, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) is one of the most beautiful designed structures in Mumbai. During the British Raj it was also known as The Victoria Terminus (named after Queen Victoria). Now it is important because every Mumbaikar (a person who stays in Mumbai) must use locals and it has been a part of their life. Locals take around 7.5 million people from Suburbs to their jobs.
Just opposite of CSMT station lies a grand historic monument Municipal Corporation Building, mainly a government office also known as BMC building which is a British manufactured building. This gothic revival styled building is located in Churchgate.
Flora Fountain another masterpiece found exactly in the heart of South Mumbai located at the Hutatma Chowk is an ornament for Mumbai as it adds on the beauty of it!
Hutatma Chowk is the symbolic tribute to the ‘Hutatmas’ or the fighters who fought for the creation of Maharashtra including ‘Bombay’. (Bombay was the old name of Mumbai)
While in Mumbai one must not forget to visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount commonly known as Mt. Mary Church, this Roman Catholic Basilica is in Bandra. It’s one of the most beautiful & famous Churches in Mumbai.
Other than this, Don Bosco Church in Wadala, St. Michael Church in Mahim are also famous British built churches in Mumbai, each is a must visit.
I don’t know how to stop now but I have to! These are just some glances of Mumbai’s historical infrastructure there are more to see. Surely the guys in the ‘kali-peelis’ or yellow-black taxis would know the exact location to these amazing spots. So here this episode comes to an end, I hope you liked it. Also remember the next episode would be releasing soon with some amazing facts about Mumbai being a metro city in India.