With the recent release of period drama Maharaj, here's another reason to explore Mumbai's heritage. Use our guide for pointers, strap on your walking shoes and get set on this trail. Image courtesy: Manjeet Kumar Thakur
Merchant and philanthropist Gokuldas Tejpal is believed to have stood by Karsandas Mulji during his legal travails according to the film. Tejpal passed away early at 45, leaving behind funds to run charitable institutions, including a boarding school. One of the institutions named after him is Gokuldas Tejpal Hospital near CSMT. The state government-run hospital built in 1874, was designed by Colonel Fuller in early English Gothic style. Its colonial architecture, with high ceilings and large windows designed for better ventilation, speak of the healthcare design principles of the era
Another famous institution named after Tejpal is the Sanskrit College. Established in 1866, it was one of the first institutions dedicated to the study of Sanskrit and classical Indian literature. This institution is also located near CSMT. The college has significantly contributed to the preservation and promotion of Sanskrit, nurturing generations of scholars and educators
Next on the list is the unmissable Regal Cinema, located in Colaba, which is one of the city's iconic heritage theatres. Opened in 1933, it was the first air-conditioned theatre in India, embodying the Art Deco style that characterised many buildings in Mumbai at the time. Designed by Charles Stevens with interiors by Karl Schara, Regal Cinema quickly became a prominent venue for film premieres and a social hub for the city's elite. Over the decades, it has witnessed the evolution of Indian cinema, screening countless Bollywood classics and serving as a reminder of the golden age of Mumbai's film industry
Mota Mandir Haveli in Bhuleshwar is dedicated to Lord Balkrishnalalji and Lord Shree Daujidayalji among other deities, Mota or Vada Mandir (“the big temple”) had a wooden structure that dated back more than 200 years. It is now spiffy and Makarana marble-forward. It continues to be an important site for the Vaishnav sect of Hinduism associated with the trading communities in Mumbai
The David Sassoon Library, located in Fort area, is a significant historical and architectural landmark built in 1870. It was named after David Sassoon, a prominent Baghdadi Jewish philanthropist who contributed greatly to the city’s development during the 19th century. The library is part of a cultural complex that includes the Elphinstone College and the University of Mumbai. Designed in the Venetian Gothic style by architects J. Campbell and G.E. Gosling, the building features a mix of European and Indian architectural elements
Philanthropist, historian and surgeon Dr Lad’s contribution to the city is immense and one of its most iconic symbols is the city’s oldest public museum located in Victoria Gardens, now Rani Baug. Formerly called Victoria and Albert Museum, it was renamed in Dr Lad’s honour in 1975. Established in 1872, the museum showcases an enviable collection of decorative and industrial arts, photographs, and cultural artefacts
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum, is one of Mumbai's premier cultural institutions. Established in the early 20th century to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales (later King George V) to India in 1905, the museum was formally inaugurated in 1922. It was designed by the prominent British architect George Wittet in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style, which blends elements of Indian, Islamic and European architecture
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), formerly known as Victoria Terminus, is a historic railway station in Mumbai, India. Completed in 1887, it was designed by British architect Frederick William Stevens in the Victorian Gothic Revival style to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. The station became a symbol of Bombay's (now Mumbai) status as the "Gothic City" of India. CSMT, an architectural marvel, features a blend of Indian and Victorian Gothic elements, with a lavish façade adorned with domes, turrets, pointed arches and stained glass windows.
In 2004, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflecting its cultural and historical significance. Today, CSMT is one of India's busiest railway stations, serving millions of passengers annually and standing as a testament to Mumbai's colonial past and architectural heritage
Dadabhai Naoroji, or the Grand Old Man of India, watches over the iconic South Mumbai landmark of Flora Fountain from his seat near Oriental Building. The arterial road stretching from CST to Kala Ghoda is named after the leading reformer of the 19th century, scholar and the first Indian-Asian to be a member of the British parliament
Flora Fountain, located in the heart of South Mumbai, is a historic architectural landmark that dates back to 1864. Named after the Roman goddess Flora, the fountain was built to commemorate the British colonial rule in India. Designed by Richard Norman Shaw and executed by James Forsythe, the fountain blends Neo-Gothic and Indo-Saracenic styles, reflecting the colonial era's architectural influences. It stands at the intersection of five major streets, once known as the Hutatma Chowk (Martyrs' Square) after the martyrs of the Samyukta Maharashtra Movement
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