Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus: A Historic Icon of Mumbai

The terminus was designed by Frederick William Stevens, a British architectural engineer. The design was based on an initial concept by Axel Haig and is executed in an exuberant Indo-Gothic style.

Construction for the project began in 1878 at a site located south of the old Bori Bunder railway station. The building took nine years to complete, finishing in 1887 to coincide with the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

Following the completion of its construction in 1887, the station was officially opened to the general public. The inauguration took place on 20 May 1888.

Since its opening, the terminus has functioned as a central hub for railway operations in the region, eventually becoming the primary headquarters for the Central Railway zone.

Originally known as Victoria Terminus, the station underwent its first official name change in March 1996. It was renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus to honor the first Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire.

In 2017, the name was updated again to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, incorporating the title 'Maharaj' meaning great king. Despite these changes, the abbreviations VT and CST are still frequently used.

The station is dedicated to Shivaji, the warrior king who founded the Maratha polity in the western Marathi-speaking regions of the Deccan Plateau during the 17th century.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the terminus is recognized for its historical and cultural importance, representing a fusion of British and Indian architectural influences.