Bombay Skyline
Bombay - now lovingly called Mumbai - is the Indian city of dreams. On the west coast, built on what once was an archipelago of seven island, it is now the second most populous city in the country. Mumbai is the financial, commercial, & entertainment capital, & counted in the world's top ten commerce centers.
The city's history, goes back to the start of common era, & has influence in its culture & architecture from around the world. Today the buildings stand as a testament to the old & the modern, & the city's progress through the ages.
Over the centuries, the city went through indigenous dynasties of the Mauryas, the Chalukyas, the Rashtrakutas, & the Shilaharas. These were followed by The Mughals, the Portuguese, & British empires. After the independence of India, in 1947, the city, then part of Bombay State, became the state capital.
The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower
The Taj Mahal Palace, known simply as The Taj, opened its doors in December 1903, as the first ever hotel of the Taj group. Built in the Indo-Saracenic Revival, it is adorned with a distinctive 240-feet tall red tiled Florentine gothic dome. The Palace was designed by Indian architects Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya & D. N. Mirza, & completed by an English engineer W. A. Chambers. The new wing - The Taj Mahal Tower - opened in 1973, designed by Daraius Batliwala & Rustom Patell.
The Gateway of India
The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the arrival of George V, & Mary of Teck, at the Apollo Bunder. The construction of the gateway began in 1915, 4 years after the actual arrival. It was designed by George Wittet, & it was completed in 1924, & opened to public by Rufus Isaacs. The arch is 26 metres with its central dome 15 metres in diameter, & built with yellow basalt & reinforced concrete.
Though the gateway is often referred as a symbol of colonial rule, however it has come to be synonymous with the city of Mumbai.
The Flora Fountain
Flora fountain, located on Hutatma Chowk, a crossing in Mumbai, is ornamentally sculpted architectural heritage monument located on the historic Dadabhai Naorojo Road. Built in 1864, it depicts the roman goddess Flora, & continues to charm visitors with its beautiful sculpture & the fountain.
Movie Poster billboards across the city
Bollywood - the creator of glitzy dreams - calls Mumbai its home. India produces the most movies every year in the world, & Bollywood has its lion's share. The first film was released in 1913 & since then it has captured the imagination of a billion people over the past century.
The Bombay Stock Exchange
The Phiroze Jeejeebhoy Towers - popularly known by its original name of the Bombay Stock Exchange Towers, is a 29-storey building in downtown Mumbai on Dalal Street. The building's construction begun in late 1970s & after a decade in making, was occupied in 1980. At the time, the BSE towers was one of the tallest building in the city.
The World Trade Center
The Mumbai World Trade Centre at Cuffe Parade is a skyscraper built in 1970, with two towers the M. Visvesaraya Industrial Research & Development Centre & the Industrial Development Bank of India. It was the tallest building in India at 156m height, & held its title till 2010.
Planet Godrej
Planet Godrej is a group of 5 residential skyscrapers, completed in 2009, located on a plot of 9-acre at Mahalaxmi, Mumbai. It is one of the tallest towers in India at 181m, has 51 floors & about 300 residential apartments.
The Imperial
The Imperial is a modernist style twin tower located in the Tardeo, Mumbai. It was completed in 2010, & at 210 metres it stands as the tallest building in India.
